J/Tigers spent 3 days in Zaria

Players and officials of the U-20 national team who returned to the country on Tuesday after picking zone-three ticket for the African championship slated for next month in Dakar, Senegal were stranded in Zaria due to lack of fund. The twelve players and five officials who represented Nigeria in the zonal qualifier could not leave for their respective bases after a grueling road trip to and from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso as the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF failed to raise the needed fund for the team to make the trip by air. Efforts by www.nigeriasports.com to speak with board members of the NBBF on the issue proved abortive as no one was ready to comment on the unfortunate incident. Some basketball players who volunteered to speak on the issue on condition of anonymity for fear of been victimized by officials of the Nigeria basketball body and the sports ministry described the situation as very unfortunate. They blame the federal ministry of sports and social development for neglecting other sports in the country, the players said, if it were to be any of the nation's football team that are to take part in an international engagement the ministry will promptly make fund available but decides otherwise in the case of other sports. They also enjoined members the NBBF to put it house in order by going on aggressive marketing drive if they truly love the game so as to put a final stop to the punitive measures players go through in the name of national assignment. Officials of the federation www.nigeriasports.com gathered did all within their meager resources in ensuring that the players leave for their respective base last night. The players who have been directed to report back to camp on June 15 have vowed to win the Africa chAmpionship in order to represent the continent in Argentina next. Two-guard Buhari Mohammed described the experience as worthwhile and assured basketball lovers of the players resolve to win the championship next month.
You won't be able to add comments, unless you are logged in
Not Registered yet ? Click here to Register.