Nigerian female basketball team, D’Tigress will not be participating in the 2022 Women’s World Cup holding in Sydney, Australia later this year.
D’Tigress qualified for the World Cup after defeating France and Mali in the Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade.
They were however kicked out of the competition weeks after FIBA threatened sanctions following President Buhari's approval to withdraw Nigeria from international basketball competitions for the next two years.
Sunday Dare, minister of sports and youth development had claimed that the ban is part of efforts by the government to revamp the sport from the grassroots.
FIBA which has now announced that the NBBF won't participate in the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022, added that D’Tigress would be replaced by Mali at the competition.
The statement added;
“FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.
“FIBA was informed about the decision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withdraw the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) from all international basketball competitions and activities for a period of two years.
“In subsequent communications with the NBBF, and despite FIBA’s request, it has become clear that against the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
“Given the multiple strict deadlines that cannot be postponed in order to ensure the successful staging of a major international event (visa procedures, schedules, ticket sales, accommodations, friendly games, preliminary rosters, flight tickets, accreditations, etc.) and to protect the integrity of the competition, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided as follows.
“Nigeria’s withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 is confirmed.
“Mali, as the next ranked team from Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, is invited to participate in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022
“FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
