Standing ovation for Gallant D’Tigers

Members of the senior national were treated to a heroic welcome Sunday by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, for doing the nation proud by qualifying for the 2006 world championship billed for Japan and for surviving all the intimidations and hostilities they experienced in Algeria.

Praising the team for doing the nation proud despite not winning the elusive trophy as promised by the head coach Sam Vincent is one time coach of the team, Ayo Bakare who says the players' efforts is commendable and therefore call for a standing ovation be accorded the players and their handlers for taking the risk of picking the third ticket at the expense of their lives.

The former national team coach who led Nigeria to a third placing in the same Algeria in 1995 says the brazed all odds to win the world championship ticket for fatherland against all odds.

The Ebun Comets basketball club boss who was incharge when Nigeria qualify for the 1998 world championship said the situation the team found itself in Algeria especially during the third place encounter against the host was better imagined than experienced.

Federation technical committee chairman, Dr. Adamu Ahmed promised that the board would do its best in ensuring that Nigeria make appreciable impact in Japan come 2006.

He, therefore convey the federation president, Gyang Buba thank you message to the players, members of the Nigeria Basketball Supporters Club 'The Hoopers' and the sporting press for standing by the federation and team in achieving the lofty task of securing qualification ticket for the country.

Meanwhile a more elaborate reception is being planned for the team onTuesday in Lagos by the NBBF.