TheCable

D’Tigress, Nigeria women’s basketball team, have lamented that they are allegedly being owed allowances and bonuses by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

In a video shared on social media, some of the basketball players, who had recently won a historic third consecutive Afrobasket title, registered their grievances at the outgoing board of the NBBF, led by Musa Kida.

In the viral video, they also threatened to boycott future call-ups to represent Nigeria for the 2022 World Cup qualification series if their demands are not met.

The video clip begins with Victoria Macaulay saying that the players “do not feel celebrated” despite their historic triumph at the 2021 women’s Afrobasket tourney.

She added that such achievement should, at least, warrant a visit to Aso Rock.

“First, we want to thank the Nigerian Embassy in Cameroon for celebrating us. We appreciate you more than you know,” she said.

“Other than that, we do not feel appreciated or celebrated after achieving a historical feat.

“In 2017 we won the Afrobasketball championship. Three days later, we presented it to the father of the nation, President Muhammadu Buhari and his entire cabinet by the former ministry, Hon Solomon Dalung, as customary with handshake.

“We have defended our championship and brought back the Cup in 2019 and 2021, but it’s historical, but no invitation has been extended to the team to visit Aso Rock or a Presidential handshake; why?”

VIDEO: 'We don't feel appreciated' — D'Tigress protest 'non-payment of allowances' pic.twitter.com/0CGkeNlbbv

— TheCable (@thecableng) October 13, 2021

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Also speaking, Promise Amukamara tackled the Kida-led NBBF for claiming that the team is not being owed any monies.

She also alleged that allowances and several perks for players and officials are yet to be paid.

“President of NBBF, Musa Kida, said that the Federation is not owing any players or officials allowances. This is far from the truth,” she said.

“The last time we checked, our allowances, bonuses, training grants and donations made by banks to players and officials and volunteers still have not been paid.”

On her part, Ify Ibekwe listed the amount the players, officials, and volunteers are allegedly being owed.

“We are being owed USD 73,180 by the NBBF, USD 24,000 by the Ministry of Sports for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics grant and USD100,000 from donations from three banks in Nigeria,” Ibekwe said.

Also airing her grievance, Ezinne Kalu claimed that Kida cares little about the team’s morale but latch on to its achievements for “political gain.”

“Ever since our general manager and team manager resigned, we feel like we have been marginalised. I have not seen leadership like the former president. This one never really showed up for camps or competitions to boost our morale,” she said.

“And we have significant concerns and issues that need to be addressed, which he always give vague answers as if our concerns are not important to him. Musa Kida was not in Cameroon, but somehow he showed up in Abuja to take pictures and to raise the trophy again for political gain.”

Adaora Elonu, D’Tigress captain, said the team would not present themselves for international duties if their demands are not met.

“Our demands: All money owed to players and officials, adequate travels to competitions, and a team manager for all teams. If these demands are not met with all due respect to the presidency of the NBBF and the ministry, all D’Tigress players will not be reporting to the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2022 in February. We are one united voice,” Elonu said.