The World governing Basketball body FIBA are yet to remove Nigeria from the list of teams that will participate in the Women Basketball World Cup which comes up later this year in Sydney, Australia despite Nigeria’s self-exile for two years.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports development under the leadership of Mr. Sunday Dare recently issued a statement, directing that all Nigerian Basketball teams withdraw from all international championships for a period of two years.
This obnoxious decision made by the sports ministry with claims to develop basketball when looked properly clearly shows it is detrimental to the game in Nigeria. It also contravenes the FIBA non-government interference as enshrined in the FIBA Statutes.
However, recent development on the FIBA Website clearly shows that Nigeria is still expected to participate in the Basketball Women’s World Cup.
As at Press time, Nigeria are still in group B, where they will be expected to play against France, Serbia, Japan, Canada and host Australia. This is a clear indication that FIBA have not removed Nigeria from the global showpiece.
Aside Nigeria’s non participation, it also means that Africa may not have a representative as Nigeria remains the only African nation that qualified for the event.
