TheCable

The Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF) has assured that the Olympics kits of D’Tigers will be cleared from the Lagos seaport before the Games commences in Tokyo.

On Tuesday, TheCable reported that the kits shipped into the country by Peak, Nigerian basketball teams kits sponsor, are being delayed at the seaport.

Babs Ogunade, a board member of NBBF, said the delay in getting the kits out of the port is due to “a lack of documentation and miscommunication between the ministry of finance and the ministry of sports”.

In a fresh development, the NBBF posted a series of tweets on Saturday saying the matter will soon be resolved.

Musa Kida, NBBF’s president, was quoted as saying the sports ministry is communicating with the finance ministry to sort out the bottleneck.

“The FG is aware of the situation, and they have stepped in and are in discussions with the relevant bodies,” he was quoted as saying.

“I can assure you that the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honourable Sunday Dare is in discussion with the Ministry of the Finance who is in charge of such waiver on Customs duties.

“The NBBF is an agency of the government, and it is expected that such a fee would not be a source of worry for us because if you look at what they are asking for and our financial capacity, there is no way we can raise such money on our own.

“Nigerians should focus on what the federation, coaching staff, and the players are doing right to get ready for the Olympics.”

The Olympics will take place from July 23 to August 8, and the basketball event will begin on the third day.