07 March 2006
NIGERIA: Basketball Teams Promise Medals
The male and female basketball teams to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia have promised the country ‘medals’. THISDAYSports spoke with the coaches to the teams separately at their different locations and time but in what looks like a united approach both coaches assured on: ‘A medal’ but would not stick out their necks on the type.
The female team coach Scott Nnaji was the first to speak.
“We are going for a medal. What I donít know is which but I know we are going to win a medal.”
Sani Ahmed leading the men was quick to explain his goal.
“Definitely we’ll win a medal.”
We want you to be specific on the type: Gold, silver or bronze? We asked.
“A medal is a medal. What I know is that we are playing for a medal,” he said.
The basketball teams flew out Saturday night aboard Emirates flight alongside other athletes that will represent Nigeria in the two-week event.
The male team has Priwitt Gagara, Ogo Odaudu, Usman, Baba Jubril, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Stanley Gumut, Edem Ekpeyong, Dennis, Ejike Ogboaja, Gabe Muoneke and Nwoye. Olumide Oyedeji who did leave from Lagos with them is expected to join them today straight from South Korea. Similarly Rashidat Sadiq will join the female team straight from her school in the United States of America while Ezinne James will link up from Europe.
Meanwhile, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will record a documentary of the teams. The television package, which will be shot in Melbourne as the teams train and play will be used in the FIBA publicity build-up to the 2006 World Championships holding in Japan and Brazil.
By the basketball records of the teams in the Games, the Nigerian teams are expected to finish within the medalsí range. By the rating, only hosts Australia stand as the real obstacle for the men who will start their campaign at the group level on the 19th.
The women are also to face the mountain of Australian women who are highly rated behind the USA and Russia in the world of basketball. The Lady Tigers will also contend with fellow Africans Mozambicans who are equally good. Other female teams are India, England, Scotland, New Zealand and Malaysia.
The female team coach Scott Nnaji was the first to speak.
“We are going for a medal. What I donít know is which but I know we are going to win a medal.”
Sani Ahmed leading the men was quick to explain his goal.
“Definitely we’ll win a medal.”
We want you to be specific on the type: Gold, silver or bronze? We asked.
“A medal is a medal. What I know is that we are playing for a medal,” he said.
The basketball teams flew out Saturday night aboard Emirates flight alongside other athletes that will represent Nigeria in the two-week event.
The male team has Priwitt Gagara, Ogo Odaudu, Usman, Baba Jubril, Abdulrahman Mohammed, Stanley Gumut, Edem Ekpeyong, Dennis, Ejike Ogboaja, Gabe Muoneke and Nwoye. Olumide Oyedeji who did leave from Lagos with them is expected to join them today straight from South Korea. Similarly Rashidat Sadiq will join the female team straight from her school in the United States of America while Ezinne James will link up from Europe.
Meanwhile, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will record a documentary of the teams. The television package, which will be shot in Melbourne as the teams train and play will be used in the FIBA publicity build-up to the 2006 World Championships holding in Japan and Brazil.
By the basketball records of the teams in the Games, the Nigerian teams are expected to finish within the medalsí range. By the rating, only hosts Australia stand as the real obstacle for the men who will start their campaign at the group level on the 19th.
The women are also to face the mountain of Australian women who are highly rated behind the USA and Russia in the world of basketball. The Lady Tigers will also contend with fellow Africans Mozambicans who are equally good. Other female teams are India, England, Scotland, New Zealand and Malaysia.
# posted by afrbk : 13:44
