TheCable

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) says the federal government has granted an “import waiver” on the country’s basketball team kits for Tokyo Olympics — after weeks of delay at the seaport. 

TheCable last week reported how the kits shipped into the country by Peak, Nigerian basketball teams’ kits sponsor, were being delayed at a seaport in Lagos.

Babs Ogunade, a board member of NBBF, had explained that the delay was due to “a lack of documentation and miscommunication between the ministry of finance and the ministry of sports”.

Later in the week, the NBBF had assured that the kits would be released before the team departs for Tokyo, adding that the ministries have finally established communication.

But on Wednesday, the federation, in a tweet on its verified Twitter account, announced that the federal government has granted “an import waiver” for the kits to be released for usage by the teams.

The basketball governing body added that plans are now in motion to clear the jerseys from the port immediately.

“The Federal Government through the Ministry of Finance has granted the NBBF an import waiver for our merchandise from Peak at the port,” the tweet read.

“Heading to Customs now to formalise and clear the jerseys in time for the Olympics.”

The D’Tigers, who have been punching above their weight with recent victories over Team USA and Argentina, are billed to depart for Tokyo on July 17.