Basketballghana.com can confirm the fate of Nneka Ogwumike and Chiney Ogwumike in connection to their chances of playing for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics is in the hands of FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.
This is because the sisters have been released by Team USA and need an approval from Zagklis to make them eligible to represent Nigeria at the international level.
Both players have represented USA at the senior level in the past with Nneka winning World Cup in 2014 and 2018 and Chiney winning the 2012 World Championship.
The sisters were born in the USA to Nigerian parents and with younger sister Erica Ogwumike, could play for Nigeria against the US in an exhibition game slated for July 18 in Las Vegas.
According to FIBA, the Secretary General “may authorize a player to compete for the national team of his or her country of origin if this is in the interest of the growth of basketball in that country” after the player’s 17th birthday.
The presence of multiple WNBA All Stars in Nigeria’s side could spur a big performance from the West African nation and spur interest in women’s basketball in Nigeria.
Nigeria is coached by former Sacramento Kings Trainer Otis Hughley Jnr.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
