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| Babs Ogunade |
As preparations intensify for the 23rd edition of the FIBA Women Afrobasket tournament in Mali, the Vice President of the Nigeria Basketaball Federation, Babs Oguande is excited about the camping exercise which enters week 3.
He made this known at the weekend when players camping in Orlando Florida under DTigress Head coach, Sam Vincent were merged with their counterparts in Lagos for the second phase of the training.
Oguande expressed optimism over the camaraderie amongst the players, which he predicted will be the pedestal for any success that will be recorded in Mali.
“I am happy that I am seeing a lot of fire in the team. I see a lot of confidence on display and camaraderie amongst the players in the camp which for me is crucial to the overall teamwork and output.”
Speaking further, the NBBF number two man explained that the decision to prune the players who until their arrival on Saturday were camped in Orlando, Florida was a tactical move to provide a level playing ground for the home based players in camp.
“We have made them understand that despite the fact that the other girls are from America, it doesn’t make them more or less skilful than those ones back here in Nigeria.
“The Florida team has been trimmed down to about 7 players while the Lagos camp still have 12 players. We extended the stay in camp for the girls at home to allow them to compete favourably with the ones that came in from Florida.”
“We are going to have a little bit of contest and I am going to enjoy seeing the girls compete for shirts. There are no sacred cows and there won’t be any under our watch.
“Anybody who can contest or compete for a shirt will be allowed regardless of where you are from. Be it foreign based or home based.”
Oguade also revealed that the board will stretch itself to make the camp conducive and a worthwhile experience for the players.
“We have gone over and above what we would normally do to make them comfortable in camp.
I keep asking about their feeding and they tell me that they are happy with the food and the environment. We are going to do our best and I am assured that they will also do their bit.”
The D’Tigress will be filing out against other oppositions at the Palais des Sports Salamatou Maiga, Bamako, Mali in their quest to improve on their Afrobasket 2015 bronze medal adventure.
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