By Aderonke Ojo/Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus
Abuja – Musa Kida, President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), on Tuesday applauded as timely Federal Government’s intervention in sourcing funds for the treatment of injured
D’Tigress player Nkem Akaraiwe.
Kida, in a statement by Afolabi Oni, NBBF’s Media Officer, said it was a good indication of government’s timely responsive to the plight of its athletes.
“This will continue to encourage more Nigerians to strive for glory while representing the nation. We really appreciate the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Sunday Dare for his fatherly intervention,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Sports Ministry had made available the sum of 15,000 dollars (about N5.4 million) to Akaraiwe.
“It is an early Christmas gift which is well appreciated by the player, her fans and also the federation.
“This is in addition to the 10,000 dollars (about N3.6 million) earlier received from the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and this was facilitated by the Minister also,’’ Kida said.
NAN reports that Akaraiwe was a member of D’Tigress team to the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup which got to the quarter-finals.
She tore her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) while on national duty earlier this year at the Beach Games in Cape Verde .
Akaraiwe had however found it difficult raising funds for the needed surgery.
“It was a gesture that would continue to encourage more Nigerians to strive for glory while representing the nation.
“We cannot thank the Minister enough for coming through for one of our top basketball players who got injured on national duty.
“We are really grateful and elated that finally Akaraiwe can go for the surgery, recover on time and get back to the court,” Kida said.
NAN reports that the First Bank Women Basketball Club player is expected to go for surgery in Dubai.
(NAN)