Wakama pleads for more investment in D’Tigress

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress’ Head Coach, Rena Wakama, has said that the country can win a medal at the next edition of the Olympic Games if adequate investment is made in the team.

Wakama made history when she led the D’Tigress to victories over Australia and Canada en route to the quarterfinal of the women basketball at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The feat made Nigeria the first African country, not only to win a game at the Games, but also the first to reach the quarterfinals.

Speaking after the country’s narrow defeat by defending champions, the United States, in the quarterfinal of the event, on Wednesday night, Wakama said Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents, who only need the right investment to excel.
She emphasised that “Nigeria has to invest in these girls, provide the support, and build them to get to the podium.

“We are capable of doing more because we have the talent and everybody in this team is a Nigerian. We didn’t go outside to get players; all the players were born and raised Nigerians and there are many of them all over the country.
“We have to invest in the future invest in sports.”

Under Wakama, the D’Tigress were classified as one of the most entertaining teams at the Olympics. Nigeria also scored more than 73 points in consecutive games for the first time at the Olympics. Their 26 points in the Fourth Quarter of Wednesday’s game are the most the USA has ever allowed in the last quarter of a game in the competition.

Although the loss to USA hurt the players, one of the stand-out stars, Pallas Kunaiyi Akpana, said they have taken solace in the unity that saw them overcome more rated teams.

She said: “This team is one of a kind. I am blessed to be a part of this team and this group. These girls never give up and they always keep fighting through any adversity.

“We are going out, but I think we are not going out on any kind of negative note. I think we accomplished something big this year, and we need to build on this for the future.”