By Barth Ikiebe
President Bola Tinubu has rewarded members of the victorious national female basketball team, D’Tigress with national honours, Officer of the Order of Niger, OON.
The President represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, also gave $100,000 to each of the players and an additional $50,000 to members of the technical crew.
The D’Tigress achieved the milestone in African Sports history by claiming their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship with a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali at the Palais des Sports Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday.
Receiving the players and the technical team at the Presidential Villa on Monday, on behalf of the President, Vice President Kashim Shettima, commended the team for making Nigeria proud.
He also announced that each player and official in the team will be given a flat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, were among those who welcomed the basketball champions and coaching crew, led by Head Coach, Rena Wakama.
The victorious D’Tigress arrived at the forecourt of the President’s office a few minutes before 5 pm and were ushered into the New Banquet Hall of the State House.
Our Correspondent reports that this gesture came a week after President Tinubu hosted the nation’s female football team, the Super Falcons, who won a resounding tenth WAFCON title in Rabat, Morocco.
