Mali Replace D’Tigress As FIBA Throws Nigeria Out Of FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022

D’Tigress will not take part in the Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022, no thanks to Nigeria’s self imposed ban from basketball by the federal government, Megasportsarena.com reports.

Mali have now been handed Nigerias slot to compete at the global fiesta.

World basketball governing body, FIBA have also threatened potential disciplinary actions if Nigeria’s absence from International competitions for the next two years materializes.

Below is FIBA’s position (Press Release). 

FIBA was informed about the decision of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to withdraw the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) from all international basketball competitions and activities for a period of two years.

In subsequent communications with the NBBF, and despite FIBA’s request, it has become clear that against the circumstances created by the government’s decision, the NBBF is unable to confirm its participation in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022.

Given the multiple strict deadlines that cannot be postponed in order to ensure the successful staging of a major international event (visa procedures, schedules, ticket sales, accommodations, friendly games, preliminary rosters, flight tickets, accreditations, etc.) and to protect the integrity of the competition, the FIBA Executive Committee has decided as follows:

1. Nigeria’s withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 is confirmed
2. Mali, as the next ranked team from Group B of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade, is invited to participate in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022

FIBA will announce whether there will be any other decisions related to the NBBF’s participation in other FIBA competitions and any potential disciplinary measures in due course.