Ike Diogu, 14 Other D'Tigers Players Withdraw From Playing For National Team Until Kida Resigns

Ike Diogu, 14 Other D'Tigers Players Withdraw From Playing For National Team Until Kida Resigns

By Niyi Busari

Not fewer than 15 D'Tigers players have sent a jointly-signed petition to the secretariat of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) that they have withdrawn from participating in any future national team competitions.

The players expressed their extreme dissatisfaction with the incumbent NBBF President, Musa Kida saying that the ineptitude exhibited by Kida has led to declining their morale and commitment to play for Nigeria.

The letter which was sent to the secretariat in March, 2022 reads, "We, current and former D'Tigers players would like to take this time to express our extreme dissatisfaction with the incumbent NBBF delegation led by Mr Musa Kida. While it has brought us much joy and pride to represent Nigeria during international competition, it has come to a point where we can no longer, in good conscience, support a federation that does not align with our long term goals and beliefs. Moreover, the ineptitude exhibited by the NBBF over past years has undoubtedly contributed to a decline in morale and sports performance for both the men's and women's national teams.

In light of the mismanagement issues experienced during the Tokyo Olympics, during the Afrobasket Qualifiers and within the domestic league, please consider this signed petition our official declaration that we will not participate in any future national team competitions until resignation of Musa Kida as the president of NBBF has bee effected. We thank Mr Kida and his staff for their services, and we look forward to reclaiming our position as the preeminent African basketball nation under new NBBF adminstration.

Nigeria basketball legend, Ike Diogu, Chamberlain Oguchi, Ayodeji Akindele, Ekpe Udoh, and Gani Lawal were the players who signed the petition.

Others were, Benjamin Uzoh, Chimezie Metu, Alade Aminu, Michael Umeh, Ekene Ubekwe, Stanley Okoye, Al-Farouq Aminu, Josh Akognon, Ike Nwanu, and Andy Ogide.