SPORTS minister Sunday Dare has met with D’Tigers in a bid to encourage the team ahead of early Wednesday morning’s men’s basketball clash with Germany at the Tokyo Olympics.
He also thanked the team, who lost their opening game to Australia, for doing Nigeria proud and starting a silent revolution in the country’s basketball development.
During a virtual meeting with the players and officials on Tuesday, Dare assured them of continued government, corporate and citizens’ support.
“Coach Mike Brown, I can’t thank you enough. I am glad I watched the games, including the last one,” the minister said.
“This is a winning team. I know you will take care of business. I can only wish you the very best as you prepare for the next two games and I’m confident that you will do this country proud.
“You got the skills, the commitment and the experience. I just want to wish you well.”
Dare asserted that that the team’s performances will help in the development of basketball in Nigeria.
“I want to say that you have also ignited a revolution for basketball in Nigeria. You don’t know what you have started,” he offered before explaining to the team the ministry’s next plans for basketball.
“As a ministry, we are committed to Project 109, which is yet to start, because we are going to need the Kida-led team and you particularly. We have 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria represented by one senator.
“Project 109 is aimed at building one basketball court in every senatorial district and manning each court with coaches so that we can discover young talents to play basketball from the grassroots and graduate them through the amateur to the professional league.
“We believe if we start early enough, we can discover and nurture young basketballers.
“That is our own contribution to basketball development, but of course we know that the federation will do more. We will work with you.”
The 2015 African champions need to win the group phase clash with Germany to enhance their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
The game is billed to tip off at 2am Nigerian time on Wednesday morning.
