The road to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games begins with the pre-tournament championship at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotels, Lagos, Monday, News About Nigeria understands.
Following the announcement, Nigeria’s basketball team, D’Tigers, is brimming with confidence for their chances. They face their familiar rivals, Senegal, in the opening game at 5:00 p.m. today.
Mike Brown, the team’s coach, expressed the significance of the competition, stating that it’s another opportunity to showcase that the D’Tigers belong among the world’s elite teams.
Michael Eric, a key player of the team highlighted their preparedness to triumph over Senegal, stressing that the presence of other African powerhouses won’t deter their ambition.
The pre-tournament championship, ending on August 20, serves as a crucial stepping stone in the qualification process. However, a twist came with the withdrawal of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda from the competition.
FIBA, the world basketball governing body, is investigating this matter and may impose disciplinary measures.
As a result of these withdrawals, Group A now features Nigeria, Senegal, and Mali, while Group B comprises Cameroon, Guinea, and Tunisia.
The teams within each group will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the final phase, bringing Nigeria closer to the coveted Paris 2024 Olympics qualification.
The D’Tigers face both challenges and opportunities, hoping to shine brightly on the international stage and secure their spot in the upcoming Olympic Games.
The pre-tournament championship offers an occasion for the participating countries to make their mark during the global tournament next year, which, African nations have not performed brightly in, over the years.
