Nigeria Women’s National Basketball Team Head Coach Otis Hughley Jnr. has bemoaned the ruling by FIBA and CAS against Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike.
The sisters were denied the chance to represent Nigeria for varied reasons after their request to switch from the USA to the West African nation was turned by FIBA initially and upheld by Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS). (Click highlighted text to view story)
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, Hughley wasn’t impressed about the turn of events stating:
“Allow them the opportunity to help grow the game. That continent (Africa) would just be turned on its head for basketball. In a good way, You have no idea how many lives would be impacted and changed for the ages.”
Before adding a hint of jealousy from countries set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics might have influenced FIBA’s decision.
“They didn’t anticipate us being in that position,” the coach said. “So there’s some things going on that nobody sees and nobody talks about. It gets in the way of integrity. It’s gonna catch up with whoever’s doing that. It’s just dead wrong” he said.
Nigeria is in Group B with USA, Japan and France. Erica Ogwumike was however cleared to represent Nigeria.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
