Nigeria Loses Wheelchair B’ball Ticket To S’Africa

Nigeria has lost the ticket to participate in the 2013 edition of the World U-23 Wheelchair Basketball tournament in Turkey later in the year to South Africa.

The Secretary, Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball Federation (NWBF), Victor Anusa disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos.

Anusa said that Nigeria lost the ticket at the just-ended Africa U-23 Wheelchair Basketball competition held between March 29 and April 6, in South Africa.

The secretary, who accompanied the team to the event, said that Nigeria lost 26-42 to hosts South Africa at the finals.

He said that the continental competition served as the qualifier for the only African nation to the world tournament.

“The Nigerian team played well, but the South Africans were better.

“There was no how we could have outplayed the South Africans, because their players were of international status, unlike in Nigeria where we are just developing the sport.

“Moreover their players have better welfare incentives than our players,” Anusa said.

According to him, the South African athletes had a monthly welfare package from a consortium of private firms, unlike their Nigerian counterparts with no regular income.

He added that the South Africans also paraded an array of world beaters that can confront the world number one wheelchair basketball nation in any tournament.

“The standard and accuracy of play by the South African players was so smooth that they can charm their sponsors to do more and their supporters for maximum support,” he said.

Zimbabwe and Algeria also participated in the eight-day championship.