D’Tigress: Coach, players urge NBBF to build on Olympics feat

Basketball fans have pushed the Nigeria Basketball Federation to make sure the nation improves on the outstanding performance of the senior women's team, D'Tigress, in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

For the Women's Basketball Tournament, René Wakama's team had tough odds to advance out of the group despite facing higher-ranked teams Australia, France, and Canada.

They began their campaign with an unexpected 75-54 victory over Australia, which was their first Olympic victory in 20 years. They then lost to France in their second game by the same score before winning 79-70 against Canada in their last group match to advance to the quarterfinals and become the first African team—male or female—to advance past the group stage in the history of Olympic basketball.

However, their journey was ended by the United States at the quarterfinals, the African champions won the adoration of fans and the respect of the world, including their opponents, taking pride in their accomplishments.

The impressive outing in Paris earned Wakama the best coach of the Women’s Basketball Tournament honour, while New Jersey-born point guard and three-time Afrobasket champion Ezinne Kalu made the star-studded All-Second Team of the tournament.
We all witnessed what D'Tigress accomplished at the Olympics, and they merit every honour, according to basketball coach Stephen John. The NBBF should definitely look for ways to expand on the success they had in the Olympics.

"Unfortunately, the federation will want to take glory for the team's good outing in Paris, but we know how poorly prepared they were for the tournament," continued a former Kwara Falcons player, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of victimisation.

They did a great job, and we are all pleased that they showed the world what they are made of, but it is up to the federation whether we can build on that accomplishment. Paris served as a reminder that, with the right work, we can match the greatest in the world. The federation must take the necessary action to ensure our continued expansion.

"As a female basketball player, I can't tell you how happy I am with what D'Tigress did, but we need to make sure that we don't relent," Theresa Michael continued. To guarantee that they all keep improving, they should all be paid and encouraged. As for those of us in the country, they should ensure we have a league again.”