2017 Afrobasket: Coach calls for immediate camping
NAN-S-3
Basketball
By Babatunde Ogunrinde
Lagos, May 30, 2017 (NAN) Scot Nnaji, the head coach of Senior Women National Basketball team, D’ Tigress on Tuesday called for immediate camping of players to prepare for the forthcoming Afobasket Championship in Bamako, Mali.
Nnaji told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that over the years poor preparations had robbed the nation of glorious outing in competitions.
He added that the nation was heading to the same direction if proper preparation does not take place.
NAN reports that the 12-team competition has been scheduled to hold from Aug. 18 to Aug. 27 at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga in Bamako.
The national women’s basketball teams, the D’ Tigresses, have been drawn against perennial rivals and defending champions, Senegal, Egypt, Guinea, and Mozambique in the forthcoming FIBA 2017 women’s Afrobasket.
D’ Tigress was bronze medallists in the 2015 edition and had defeated Senegal in the group stage but lost to Cameroon in the crucial semi final.
Nnaji, added: “As bronze medallist in the 2015 edition, we could not do better than that but poor preparations caused us not to get it properly, thereby losing in the semi finals.
“We are a powerhouse in women’s basketball in Africa with quality players scattered abroad, we should be dominating championships of this nature.
“But when our preparation is not well structured we may not really achieve what we so desire in the end.’’
According to Nnaji, the coming federation elections should not be allowed to affect preparation for the competition.
“Now we have to wait till the elections in June before a new board comes in and await their decision.
“This definitely will hinder preparations as the new board will first settle down before actuating themselves with their basic duties,’’ Nnaji said.
The competition will also serve as a qualifier for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018 holding in Spain. (NAN)
BAO/ENN/MZA
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Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Maharazu Ahmed