By Abolade Ogundimu
Abuja – Musa Kida, President of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), says his federation will now work towards ensuring result-driven participation in every FIBA 3×3 championship to enhance Nigeria’s participation at the 2020 Olympics.
In a statement on the federation’s website, Kida said this followed Nigeria’s performance at the inaugural FIBA 3x 3 Africa Cup, and because it would enhance Nigeria’s qualification.
Kida disclosed that participation at the Tokyo Olympics would be based on points garnered from now till 2020.
“We will ensure that we participate in every 3×3 competition at the international scene to have enough points before the games,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria’s senior men and women basketball teams won gold and silver medals respectively on Sunday at the African championships held in Togo.
The NBBF president said the country’s 3×3 performance was a signal that the country had potentials to do well at the global arena.
“Nigeria’s performance in Togo shows Nigeria is a force to beat at the 2020 Olympics if the right things are put in place.
“ These players have once again brought smiles to our faces and we are grateful to them.
“They have shown that Nigeria as a country can be the best in basketball if the right things are done to train and motivate them,” he said.
Kida described the players as gallant and patriotic Nigerians who have shown the world that Nigerian athletes can indeed rule the world if adequate support was given to them.
He said the secret behind Nigeria’s new status on the continent could be traced to the choice of players purely on merit and the improved welfare package already put in place.
“Upon our inauguration on July 21, we made a solemn promise to participate in as many international competitions as possible and expose our players through these competitions.
“We have so far participated in six international competitions organised at the continental level and we will continue to participate in more of such in the nearest future,” the NBBF president said.