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Nigeria’s U18 male and female national basketball teams have arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, to participate in the FIBA U18 qualifying tournament, which will run from July 31 to August 4.
The tournament’s tipoff is scheduled for Wednesday with fixtures to be determined at the technical meeting scheduled for the day before competition.
While the Olympic Games continue in Paris, this tournament represents a crucial opportunity for these young Nigerian athletes to develop their skills, aim for victories, and potentially secure qualification for a larger competition in South Africa. Ultimately, the goal is for these players to progress into the senior national teams, D’Tigers and D’Tigress.
The teams had two weeks of training in Nigeria before their departure, with the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) committed to maintaining its youth development programs.
Ugo Udezue, the Leader of Delegation and Vice Chairman of the Youth Committee on the NBBF Board, emphasized the federation’s focus on developmental goals and expressed gratitude to NBBF President Musa Kida for his support.
“We are grateful to the Ministry of Sports Development and the Nigerian government for providing this platform for our young athletes,” Udezue said.
“The determination to pursue quality youth programs got us this far. Preparing the team and making the trip from Lagos to Abidjan was challenging, but the federation remains focused on youth development goals. We must continue to develop the young ones for sustenance.”
Udezue also thanked the organizations that donated uniforms, practice gear, and equipment, and acknowledged those who contributed resources to make the trip possible.
The boys’ U18 team in Abidjan includes Bassey Ekpo Effiong, Abraham Boyce Hart, Sani Samuel, Azeez Suleiman Olaitan, Daubuna Ibrahimdau-Mutum, John Wilberforce, Precious Johha, Duru Augustine Chinedu, Kpee Favour Komene, Jovan Ojako Chiebuka, Favour Ibe Ikedinachukwu, and Ezekiel Isaac Oluwatemitope.
The girls’ team consists of Tewogbade Ayomide, Gbemisola Samuel, Khadijat Garba, Amarachi Umeh, Chiamaka Mgbon, Osaretin Samuel, Chiamaka Iwuji, Olanrewaju Ayodeji,
