CAPE TOWN – Basketball’s world governing body confirmed Thursday that Nigeria has withdrawn its team from the Women’s Basketball World Cup and warned of “potential disciplinary action” against the country due to government interference.
The Nigerian government announced last month that it would withdraw all of its basketball teams from international competition for two years while it completely restructures the sport. The Ministry of Sports reported that the Nigerian Basketball Federation will be dissolved and that the decision to withdraw from international competitions was approved by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) indicated that it had since been in communication with the Nigerian Basketball Federation in an effort to keep the Nigerian team in the Women’s World Cup, to be held in Australia during September and October, but was unsuccessful. .
“Despite FIBA’s request, it has become clear that given the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF cannot confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022,” the body said.
The Nigerian women’s team is the current African champion and has won the continental title five times. FIBA indicated that Mali will replace Nigeria in the World Cup.
FIBA added that it will announce “any possible disciplinary measures in due course” regarding Nigeria. The world body had previously warned Nigeria that withdrawing its teams could have consequences that would last “well beyond” the two-year period.
FIBA, like most sporting bodies, does not allow governments to interfere in the functioning of national federations and could respond by banning the country from participating in all international basketball events.
The Nigerian women’s team did not publicly agree with the decision to withdraw from the tournament. The players said in a statement that their government’s move is “taking away all of our future competitions, achievements and goals to uplift, inspire and make Nigeria proud.”
