Nigerian U16 basketball players, both boys and girls, recently participated in the FIBA U16 African Zone 3 championship held in Ghana securing qualification for the World Cup but a tale of financial neglect is beginning to envelope the success of the young lads.
Reports from BSNSports reveal the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) provided each player with a meagre sum of one thousand naira (N1,000) just as they were about to depart from Nigeria to Ghana via road.
The investigation conducted by BSN Sports revealed that the players had not received any financial support during their 11-day training camp in Abuja before the competition.
Anonymous players and team officials, who wished to keep their identities concealed, shared their disappointment as they unanimously voiced their concerns, stating that not a single penny was given to them during their stay in Abuja.
However, when they were on the verge of embarking on a 32-hour journey, they were handed the nominal sum of one thousand naira (₦1,000) each. Although, the purpose of this money was not explicitly communicated to the players, but they assumed it was intended for miscellaneous expenses during their road trip.
Despite this unconventional financial arrangement and lack of support during their training, the players remained resilient and focused on their ultimate goal. Their determination paid off, as both the U16 girls and boys secured qualification for the World Cup during their games in Ghana. The Nigerian U16 girls achieved a perfect record by winning their matches, while the boys won one and lost one.
Culled from BSNsports.com.ng