Buhari, Dogara task D’Tigers on Olympics glory

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated D’Tigers on their historic victory at the 2015 Afrobasket to earn a place in the basketball event of next year’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro.

President Buhari’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina.

President Buhari joined other sports-loving Nigerians in applauding what he described as D’Tigers’ exhilarating 74-65 victory over their Angolan opponents which also secured Nigeria’s qualification for Rio 2016.

Buhari lauded the players for displaying exemplary strength, courage, determination and patriotism as well as great skills and creativity to dethrone Angola, the perennial African basketball champions.

The statement added, “President Buhari urges members of the team and their handlers to work very hard to surpass their extraordinary heroics in Tunisia before a global audience at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro and bring even greater glory to Nigeria.

“The President assures the team, its managers and the Nigerian Basketball Federation that his administration will give them and Nigeria’s other representatives at the next Olympic Games, the fullest possible support to ensure that they are well prepared to excel against the champions of other countries and regions in Brazil.”

Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara has charged the managers team (D’Tigers) to commence early preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Speaker, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan yesterday believes early preparation will help consolidate on their achievement at the 2015 Afrobasket in Tunisia.

While congratulating the team for winning the first ever FIBA Afrobasket championship on Sunday in Tunisia, Dogara said the victory was for all Nigerians and not just the team.

He said Nigeria has never won the competition as Angola, continued to triumph over the D’Tigers in the past but that Sunday’s victory has finally broken the jinx.

“By beating the 10th time champions 74-65, D’Tigers have made Nigeria proud and written their names in gold,” he said.

The Speaker further expressed his happiness with the team for not only winning the competition but qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He said the team has exhibited the true Nigerian spirit of resilience, courage and determination which according to him, led to their victory over Angola.