D’Tigress, NBBF bag FIBA recognition, Dare lauds federation

Another feather was added to the already decorated cap of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) in the wee hours of yesterday in China. The NBBF was recognized as the federation with the Most Improved Women Team between 2017 and 2019 at the plenary session of the FIBA Congress and Awards Ceremony, which took place in Beijing yesterday.
 
The women team under the period in review won two FIBA Afrobasket championships and became the first African country to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Women World Cup at the 2018 edition in Spain.

Speaking after the ceremony, NBBF President, Musa Kida said the award was a validation of the improved status of Nigerian basketball since the board was elected in 2017.

“As a board, we have invested our personal money, time and energy in the last two years to drive basketball in Nigeria. Earlier in the year, we were celebrated by FIBA Africa, which spurred us to do more.

“We have gone a step further to do more which has once again been rewarded with another Afrobasket title in Senegal, which has seen our unbeaten run in the championship stretching to 14 over the course of three championships,” Kida said.

An elated Kida thanked all the stakeholders, who contributed to basketball growth, saying the award was just the first of many to come and a call for more sacrifice from all.

Kida picked up the FIBA Award for success and excellent work.

Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Dare Sunday took to Twitter to congratulate the NBBF for elevating basketball since coming into office two years ago.

He pledged the government’s unflinching support to the board led by Kida, saying they were living up to the expectations of Nigerians and sports stakeholders.