Basketballghana.com can confirm Nneka Ogwumika and Chiney Ogwumike are exploring their options and could appeal against FIBA’s ruling that prevents the duo from competing for Nigeria at the Tokyo Olympics via CAS.
FIBA recently ruled Nneka can’t compete for Nigeria due to her “substantial involvement” with Team USA for a decade. FIBA ruled younger sister Chiney as a “naturalized player”. (Click highlighted text to view story)
Basketball world governing body FIBA could have ruled in favour of the sisters “if it is in the interest of the growth of basketball in that country”; in this case, it is.
However, the allocation of naturalized players on Nigeria’s provisional roster has been picked up and could affect selection of players to the final roster.
Both sisters have won international titles with USA at the senior level but both were not called up to USA’s roster for Tokyo prompting the move to switch to Nigeria.
The Ogwumike sisters play for Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA and plan to appeal the ruling at the Court of Arbitration in Sports (CAS) according to ESPN.
Erica Ogwumike however, is cleared to compete for Nigeria since she hasn’t played for Team USA.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
