Nigeria gets FIBA 3x3 World Cup wildcard

N@shagcy

igeria will compete in the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup holding in Manila, Philippines from June 8-12, 2018 after being awarded a wild card by the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA).

This latest decision was relayed through a letter to the Nigeria Basketball Federation led by Engineer Musa Kida by FIBA 3x3 Development Manager, Robert Rieblinger.

The 3x3 team captained by Abdul Yahaya to their first FIBA Africa 3x3 Nations Cup title in Lome, Togo recently were deemed to be in good standing to be awarded the wildcard.

Nigeria is currently ranked 5th in Africa and 67th in the world, and will be making their first appearance at the world stage in the history of the 3x3 World Cup.

In his reaction, the NBBF President Engr Musa Kida thanked FIBA for the privilege accorded the federation and its players to be part of the 2018 World Cup.

“As part of our campaign promises, we will endeavor to expose our talents home and abroad to the best opportunities to improve their skills and become great. The promised exposure can only be possible through participation in international events such as this,” Kida said.

Kida said that the latest decision to award Nigeria a wildcard is a direct result of the improved status of the country as a basketball playing nation since they assumed office.

“With another round of camping, traveling and participation of our 3x3 team at the World Cup already on the card, it means we will need more money to actualize these plans. The government alone cannot fund sports, so we will be reaching out to corporate organizations and individuals to partner the federation ahead of a busy 2018 basketball calendar,” he noted.