Nigeria’s male basketball team’s preparations for the FIBA 2019 World Cup in China is currently being threatened by lack of funds a top official of the team has asserted..
The General Manager of the team, Musa Adamu disclosed this while he was asked by journalists about the team’s plans for the World Basket Ball Championship.
Adamu categorically stated that their departure plans are up in the air as the paucity of funds has kept the Nigeria Basket Ball Federation on their toes and struggling to raise the cash that will be enough to take the team to the championship.
“I cannot tell you exactly when the team is leaving for China, the basketball federation has been doing a lot for this team,” Adamu told journalists in a quote made available to DaSportsTainment247.com.
“We started this elimination over a year ago and now going to two years and the federation has been funding the trips for each window. Each window, we had to bring players, fly them down, accommodate them and also pay insurance.
All these things have been done singlehandedly by the federation with a promise from the ministry to support us, but we are still expecting and hoping that they will do so before we leave for China.”
The former Nigerian international revealed that despite plans to adequately prepare the team for the apex global sports fiesta, the unavailability of funds might just be the clog in the wheel of the team’s preparation. “The team is here in Nigeria, so we hope that they will act because we don’t know when we will leave.”
“There are no funds available for now. The federation is looking up to the Ministry with the hope that the funds will be released for us to leave.” He took time out to appreciate the Musa Kida led NBBF board for their selfless sacrifice throughout the qualifiers as he appealed to the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and save the
country from global embarrassment.
“I wish to appreciate the federation, the President, Engr Musa Kida and the board,” he continued. “They have been doing so much for this team and basketball and I think
it’s time for the government to step in and assist us.”
Adamu revealed that the current players in camp are talented, motivated and ready to represent Nigeria well, but funding has been a major issue. “I will like to use the forum to call on the President, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari to turn his eyes a little bit to the
D’Tigers because they are also a national team. We are expecting support from him to release funds for our team to be able to participate in this World Cup.”
Adamu regrettably admitted that the team which became the first country in the world to qualify may end up not participating at the World Cup starting on the 29th of August if funds are not released on time by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
“We have come a long way. We have a very good, ambitious and motivated team. We really hope that the President will try to help his children, his people and his own team to be able to participate in this World Cup through the sports ministry obviously.”
