12 December 2011
NIGERIA : D' Tigers to Play Olympics Playoffs in Venezuela
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has slated the men's Olympic qualifying tournament for Venezuela.
The decision was taken at their second and final meeting of 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The Nigerian senior team grabbed the playoffs spot earlier this year at the Nations Cup in Madagascar. Joining Nigeria and the hosts in the tournament are Angola, Dominican Republic, F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Greece, Jordan, Korea, Lithuania, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Russia. The 2012 edition will take place 2-8 July. The 12 teams will be divided into four groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The two winning semi-finalists will qualify for London alongside the winner of the third-place playoff. Nigeria currently stands 21st in the FIBA rankings and missed the qualification spot available at the African Championships in August. She is, however, aiming to use the playoff to consolidate for a first Olympic Games men's showing.
Derrick Obasohan Nigeria's leading point scorer at the African Championships believes the country has a chance. "I definitely will be playing for Nigeria in the Olympic qualifying. Although I was born in the US, my parents, grandparents and brothers were born in Nigeria.
"To me, it means a lot to represent Nigeria. I have been talking to a lot of players who want to play for the national team. "All of them show great passion to represent Nigeria. For many of us, it means a lot to play for Nigeria."
Nigeria has a strong squad with players like Mike Efevberha, Lokomotiv Kuban guard Ben Uzoh and Spartak Primorye's Deji Akindele.
The decision was taken at their second and final meeting of 2011 in Madrid, Spain. The Nigerian senior team grabbed the playoffs spot earlier this year at the Nations Cup in Madagascar. Joining Nigeria and the hosts in the tournament are Angola, Dominican Republic, F.Y.R. of Macedonia, Greece, Jordan, Korea, Lithuania, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Russia. The 2012 edition will take place 2-8 July. The 12 teams will be divided into four groups of three teams. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The two winning semi-finalists will qualify for London alongside the winner of the third-place playoff. Nigeria currently stands 21st in the FIBA rankings and missed the qualification spot available at the African Championships in August. She is, however, aiming to use the playoff to consolidate for a first Olympic Games men's showing.
Derrick Obasohan Nigeria's leading point scorer at the African Championships believes the country has a chance. "I definitely will be playing for Nigeria in the Olympic qualifying. Although I was born in the US, my parents, grandparents and brothers were born in Nigeria.
"To me, it means a lot to represent Nigeria. I have been talking to a lot of players who want to play for the national team. "All of them show great passion to represent Nigeria. For many of us, it means a lot to play for Nigeria."
Nigeria has a strong squad with players like Mike Efevberha, Lokomotiv Kuban guard Ben Uzoh and Spartak Primorye's Deji Akindele.
# posted by afrbk : 14:21
