17 July 2012
NIGERIA : D'Tigers Qualified Through Hard Work, Commitment
Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President, Mallam Tijani Umar says the qualification of the country's male basketball team to the London 2012 Olympic Games was achieved through hardwork and commitment of the players and officials.
Umar, who stated this during a chat with reporters at the launching of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation's "catch them young schools programme" in Abuja, said the team was further motivated by the desire to represent country at the biggest global sports showpiece.
"Our qualification for the Olympic Games is not by accident, it is as a result of concerted efforts, hardwork and commitment. The programmes we earmarked were religiously implemented, and that is why we are where we are today.
"Before we left for China, many people wrote us off, but were put our heads together, brought in new players that have character and are dedicated to playing for the country; and I want to say we have great players in the team that will make the country proud at the Olympics", Umar stated.
The NBBF boss, who refused to promise the country anything at the quadrennial games, said, as professionals, the players will not play under pressure, but do what is right to deliver good results.
"I won't promise the country anything, and the team will not play under pressure, but I know that these guys are professionals, so they know what to do", he concluded.
Umar, who stated this during a chat with reporters at the launching of the Nigeria Volleyball Federation's "catch them young schools programme" in Abuja, said the team was further motivated by the desire to represent country at the biggest global sports showpiece.
"Our qualification for the Olympic Games is not by accident, it is as a result of concerted efforts, hardwork and commitment. The programmes we earmarked were religiously implemented, and that is why we are where we are today.
"Before we left for China, many people wrote us off, but were put our heads together, brought in new players that have character and are dedicated to playing for the country; and I want to say we have great players in the team that will make the country proud at the Olympics", Umar stated.
The NBBF boss, who refused to promise the country anything at the quadrennial games, said, as professionals, the players will not play under pressure, but do what is right to deliver good results.
"I won't promise the country anything, and the team will not play under pressure, but I know that these guys are professionals, so they know what to do", he concluded.
# posted by afrbk : 12:27
