Sports
B’Ball: SWAN Demands Apology, Compensation From Dare
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN FCT chapter, has demanded an immediate apology from the Federal Government and the Sports Ministry overseeing by Sunday Dare over the handling of Nigeria Basketball activities that led to the female national team, D’Tigress losing their FIBA Women’s World Cup ticket.
The D’Tigress qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup after beating France and Mali in February qualifiers in Serbia, however, the ladies lost the ticket to Mali after the Federal Government through the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, banned the country from participating in international basketball competitions for two years
The decision, regarded as hasty, harsh and uninformed as well as being promoted by personal order than national interest, meant that Mali who came second from Africa zone replaced Nigeria.
In a communique issued after its congress last week, FCT SWAN asked the minister to tender a public apology and compensate the players for the inglorious decision that cost them already secured World Cup ticket. The association also agreed to meet the minister to seek his assistant to interface between them and the NFF to ensure that sports writers are given slot in the proposed expansion of the NFF Congress membership.
The D’Tigress are Africa’s champions
“FCT SWAN appeals to Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to as a matter of urgency tender a public apology and compensate the Nigeria Senior Women’s National basketball team, D’Tigress for their role in the team’s expulsion from the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 which is upcoming,” the sports writers said.
The FCT SWAN also set up a three-man committee to conduct Presidential Debate for the candidates vying for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Presidency in the September 30 scheduled election.
“FCT SWAN set up Committee to organise Presidential Debate for aspirants in the forthcoming NFF election slated for Moshood Abiola Stadium this September,” the sports writers concluded.
Vice president of the Nigeria Olympics Committee (NOC), Chief Solomon Ogba, foremost Sports Marketer and founder of Okpekpe Road Race, Mike Itemuagbor and top Sports Journalist and Media Strategist, Mitchel Obi have lent their voices in support of the Niger Delta Sports Festival (NDSF).
The personalities with backgrounds in sports administration, marketing and media spoke separately in commendation of the festival, an initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with Dunamis Icon as consultants.
“This is a positive addition to the evolving sports business ecosystem because it is not just a springboard for identifying talents, it also offers a platform to truly hone the skills of those already discovered”, remarked Obi, who served as Special Advisor to a former Sports Minister, late Anthony Ikhazabor.
He said the festival will be a flagship event in the region that would trigger interest in sports among the youths and people of the region.
Edo State-born Itemuagbor commended the NDDC for the decision to add sports in the list of their intervention projects in the region, adding that: “This speaks directly to the problem of youth restiveness which is of great concern to our people.”
Raphael Onyedika has now emerged as a major doubt for the Super Eagles’ must-win 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe later this month.
The midfielder was forced out early from last week’s league game against Standard Liege.
He has not recovered from the injury and so will miss today’s league match against Gent and may also miss a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Super Eagles take on Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before they face Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later in crucial World Cup qualifiers.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Al-Khalood defender, William Troost-Ekong, has shared his experience on the difficulties of winning the prestigious Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) while describing it a must win trophy.
The former Watford FC defender has competed in the tournament three times but has yet to lift the trophy.
“I’ve been there three times now, bronze medal, silver medal, but I haven’t had the chance to win it. That remains my ultimate goal,” he told Tidesports source.
“It means so much to me and all the kids growing up in Africa and Nigeria.”