Nigeria’s U-18 basketball teams begin battle in Abidjan

Nigeria’s boys and girls U-18 national teams have arrived in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire for the FIBA U-18 qualifying tournament, which tip-off holds today. It will end on August 4.

It is a fiesta in Paris, France as the Olympic Games continue, but for these young Nigerians, it is a chance to develop, win some games and qualify for a bigger competition in South Africa and eventually grow into D’Tigers and D’Tigress teams.

The boys’ and girls’ teams were able to train for two weeks in Nigeria in preparation for the trip to Abidjan.

The leader of the delegation and Vice Chairman of the Youth Committee on the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Board, Ugo Udezue, said from the Abidjan centre that the federation is focused on its set developmental goals.

“We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigerian government for making the platform available to these young ones.

“The determination to pursue quality youth programmes got us this far. Preparing the team and making the trip from Lagos to Abidjan may have been challenging, but the federation is determined to stay focused on the goals of youth development. We must continue to develop the young ones for sustenance.

“I must also say thank you to the organisations who donated uniforms, practice gear, and equipment and those who contributed to make this possible,” Ugo said.

The boy’s U-18 team in Abidjan comprises Bassey Ekpo Effiong, Abraham Boyce Hart, Sani Samuel, Azeez Suleiman Olaitan, Daubuna Ibrahimdau-Mutum, John Wilberforce, and Precious Johha.

Others are Duru Augustine Chinedu, Kpee Favour Komene, Jovan Ojako Chiebuka, Favour Ibe Ikedinachukwu, and Ezekiel Isaac Oluwatemitope.

In the girls’ team are Tewogbade Ayomide, Gbemisola Samuel, Khadijat Garba, Amarachi Umeh, Chiamaka Mgbon, Osaretin Samuel, Chiamaka Iwuji and Olanrewaju Ayodeji.

The others are Pius Idubawo Beggi, Maryam Idris, Wandoo Hembam, and Isaac Abigail.
The U18 boys are coached by Fubara Onyanabo while former national point guard Juliana Akhere is in charge of the young ladies.

The best teams from the zonal qualifiers in Cote d’Ivoire will qualify for the African finals slated for South Africa later in the year.