FIBA Confirms Mali As Replacement For D'Tigress At Women's World Cup

FIBA Confirms Mali As Replacement For D'Tigress At Women's World Cup

By Niyi Busari

World basketball governing body, (FIBA) has replaced Nigeria's D'Tigress with Mali Women's basketball national team, BSNSports.com.ng can report.

Nigeria government announced withdrawal of basketball from all international tournaments for two years following leadership tussle bedevilling the game. The African Women basketball champions, D'Tigress had qualified for the World cup to be held in Belgrade but would not participate due to the withdrawal.

In a statement on FIBA website, FIBA said the action is necessary as Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) could not assure their particpation at the World Cup as the World Championship date comes closer. FIBA added that it must protect the integrity of the game and had to choose the next ranked team in group B, Mali.

 "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.

"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 participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course."