Players and officials of the D’Tigress are still basking in the euphoria of the welcome they received from the government, Corporate Nigeria and Nigerians after winning the Afrobasket for the fifth consecutive time in Cote d’Ivoire.
The players and their officials have been warmly received back home since their heroic feat in Abidjan where they won the African women’s title for a record five times in a row.
After winning the tournament, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), alongside the National Sports Commission (NSC), ensured the team was flown back home as royalty in a chartered flight to officially present the trophy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
And taking a look at all that was put together for the team in the last few days, the players expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Federal Government and the corporate bodies, led by Zenith Bank.
Captain of the Team, Amy Okonkwo described all the receptions as an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for them. She said: “My girls and I are sincerely overwhelmed to see how the whole country welcomed us and showed us love. It’s been a wonderful and indescribable experience, and we are even more motivated now to go on to do more for the country.
“Mr President showed us fatherly love and has given us more hope for the future. What can I say about our mothers – the Minister of Women Affairs, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy and the Minister of State for Finance. Their support has been very inspiring, and as a team, we are very thankful.
“The Leadership of the NSC, led by Mallam Shehu Dikko and Bukola Olopade, has also been very supportive. We have never had it this good, seeing how the NSC has been very concerned about our welfare and success throughout the tournament.
“I also want to thank Corporate Nigeria, especially Zenith Bank, which has been a big backbone of Nigerian basketball for many years. They played a big part in our success story today. A big thank you also to NNPC, and we are very excited for all the plans they are putting together for Nigerian basketball.”
