Captain Elonu: D’Tigress excited to battle USA, France, Japan at Olympics

D’TIGRESS are eager to face their tough opponents at the women’s basketball event of the Tokyo Olympics, the team’s captain Adaora Elonu has stated.

The Nigerian ladies have been drawn to face world No.1 team the United States of America, European powerhouses France and hosts Japan in the most difficult group of the competition.

But Uni Girona Basketball Club of Spain forward Elonu says she and her teammates are looking forward to play at the Games scheduled for July and August.

“I am so excited as well as the other players and we cannot wait to compete at the Olympics,” Elonu told the Nigeria Basketball Federation media department. 

“We are always excited to see who we are going to compete against and I think they really put us in a group that we have to compete against the best.”

She expressed excitement at the early camping exercise put in place by the NBBF, believing that it will put them in good shape for the Games.

“The mood here in Atlanta is really good and nice,” Elonu said from D’Tigress camp in Atlanta, USA.

“We came into camp where the staff were already prepared. Before we entered the camp, they had instructions for us, they had workouts set out for us so that when we come, we will be well prepared and know what to expect.

“Everyone here is really excited and focused. I think it’s a nice break for us from the teams that we have been playing in Europe and some in the United States. The atmosphere is really nice and one of excitement of what to come when we get to the Olympics in Tokyo.”

The 10-day Atlanta training camp which opened on the 31 January will end on Monday, 8 February.