Sports-loving deputy governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Comrade Philip Shaibu has commended Nigeria’s Women’s Basketball team, the D’Tigres, for their record-setting qualification to the quarter-finals at the Olympics.
The Wakama-led girls beat Canada’s Women’s basketball team 79-70 Sunday evening to achieve the feat. The D’Tigresses beat world number 3, Australia and Canada in their group to become the first team in Africa to get to the quarter-final stage of the Olympics.
Shaibu, who was present in France to see the girls play, commended the girls for their feat, tagging it as a revival for sports development in Nigeria.
“Dear D’Tigresses, I am absolutely thrilled to see you advance to the quarter-finals of the Basketball event at the Paris 2024 Games! Your remarkable journey thus far has been a beacon of hope and revival for our sports community.
Despite facing numerous challenges, your determination, love for your country, and trailblazing spirit have propelled you to this record-setting stage.”
Speaking further in his social media post, the former Bendel Insurance chairman seized the opportunity to recommend a strategy he believes will help reposition Nigerian sports and take our athletes to the podium in subsequent Olympics.
“By domesticating sports, we can tap into the unique strengths of each region – harnessing the aquatic talents of our Riverine states, refining the long-distance running abilities of our Northern athletes, honing the gymnastics skills of our Edos to international standards, and more.”
Comrade Philip Shaibu has been in France in the past few days, moving from one game venue to another to support Team Nigeria athletes at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympics.