The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has confirmed
that Nigeria will not participate in the 2022 Women’s World Cup billed for
Sydney, Australia, later in the year.
The world basketball governing body announced the decision
in a statement on Thursday morning.
Last month, Sunday Dare, minister of sports and youth
development, said President Muhammadu Buhari had agreed to withdraw Nigeria
from competing in any international basketball competition for the next two years.
The minister added that the ban is part of efforts by the
government to revamp the sport from the grassroots.
The move came amid the ongoing power tussle within the
Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
In the statement, FIBA said the NBBF “is unable to confirm
its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.”
Consequently, it said D’Tigress would be replaced by Mali at
the competition.
FIBA added that it “will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
“FIBA was informed about the decision of the President of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withdraw the Nigeria Basketball Federation
(NBBF) from all international basketball competitions and activities for a
period of two years,” the statement read.
“In subsequent communications with the NBBF, and despite
FIBA’s request, it has become clear that against the circumstances created by
the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in
the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.
“Given the multiple strict deadlines that cannot be
postponed in order to ensure the successful staging of a major international
event (visa procedures, schedules, ticket sales, accommodations, friendly
games, preliminary rosters, flight tickets, accreditations, etc.) and to
protect the integrity of the competition, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided
as follows.
“Nigeria’s withdrawal
from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 is confirmed.
“Mali, as the next ranked team from Group B of the FIBA
Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, is invited
to participate in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022
“FIBA will announce whether there will be any other
decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and
any potential disciplinary measures in due course.”
Members of the D’Tigress had earlier called on the
government to allow them to participate in the FIBA Women’s World Cup
competition for which the team had qualified.
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