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D’Tigers players decry lack of funds two weeks to FIBA Basketball World Cup

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Nigeria’s representatives at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, D’Tigers, have cried out of the non-provision of funds for their preparation by the Federal Government.

WuzupNigeria reports that D’Tigers had to travel by road to Mali for the inaugural edition of the FIBA AfroCan while their female counterparts, D’Tigress, had to delay their departure for the FIBA Women’s Afrobasket 2019 in Senegal by two days over financial challenges.

WuzupNigeria further gathered that the sports ministry is yet to release any fund for the D’Tiger’s World Cup preparation and travel logistics.

D’Tigers forward Stan Okoye wants the sports ministry to attend to their basic needs in preparation for the World Cup in China starting August 31st.

In a tweet on his official twitter handle, @StanOkoye_, the player said,

“I hate to do this, but as me and my teammates have been preparing for the upcoming World Cup we have faced a lot of adversity. As players, coaches, and staff we try to focus on the basketball side of things and avoid the politics.

“I say all of that to say that the Sports Commission of Nigeria hasn’t released the funds held for us to lodge, travel, etc. Of course, we will manage, show up to China, and fight for this country, but something has to change!

Supporting Okoye, another member of the team, Ekpe Udoh, also called for the release of funds to aid the team to prepare adequately for the World Cup.

“Dear Sports World, with two weeks before the FIBAWC, the Nigerian Sports Commission refuses to release the money allocated to us for training, travel, and food! We have a special team and possibly the best yet. I hope this gets resolved soon,” said Udoh.

Similarly, D’Tigers guard Ike Iroegbu also voiced out his complaints via his Twitter handle @Be_LikeIKE.

“It has been an honour and privilege to play and represent Nigeria in preparation for the FIBA World Cup. However, the sports commission of Nigeria refuses to release the money allocated to us for training, food, travel, and equipment in order to properly prepare for the World Cup.

It made things very difficult as the President of the Federation, coaching staff, and even players have had to pay for everything personally. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved among the higher authorities as my teammates and I look forward to continuing our preparation and goal of reaching the podium at the 2019 FIBA World Cup.”

Chimezie Metu and Ike Nwamu both posted similar comments made by their teammate Iroegbu on their respective social media handles.

The team is expected to depart Nigeria next week for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in China from August 31st.

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