Nigeria gets FIBA 3×3 World Cup wildcard

Nigeria will compete in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 World Cup holding in Manila, Philippines from June 8-12, 2018 after being awarded a wild card by the world basketball governing body, FIBA.

FIBA relayed the development through a letter signed by the FIBA 3×3 Development Manager, Robert Rieblinger to the Nigeria Basketball Federation under the leadership of Musa Kida.

The Nigeria 3×3 team which was captained by Abdul Yahaya to their first FIBA Africa 3×3 Nations cup title in Lome, Togo recently were deemed to be in good standing to be awarded the wildcard.

Nigeria is currently ranked 5th in Africa and 67th in the world and will be making their first appearance at the world stage in the history of the 3×3 World Cup which started in 2017 and held in Nantes, France.

In his reaction, the NBBF President Kida thanked FIBA and said, “As part of our campaign promises, we will endeavor to expose our talents home and abroad to the best opportunities to improve their skills and become great. The promised exposure can only be possible through participation in international events such as this.”

Kida said that the latest decision to award Nigeria a wildcard is a direct result of the improved status of the country as a basketball playing nation since they assumed office.

“With another round of camping, traveling and participation of our 3×3 team at the World Cup already on the card, it means we will need more money to actualize these plans. The government alone cannot fund sports, so we will be reaching out to corporate organizations and individuals to partner the federation ahead of a busy 2018 basketball calendar.”