The 2023 FIBA Pre-Olympic Qualifiers tournament which was concluded Sunday in Lagos, would indeed, continue to evoke fond memories in the minds of every lover of the game, who witnessed the history made in Lagos, Nigeria.
The qualification tournament, which was planned to feature eight countries, eventually had six countries participating, as two countries withdrew a few hours before the tip-off. That, however, didn’t take away the keen and high-octane competitiveness of the games that were displayed throughout the tournament, played August 14-20, 2023, at the highbrow Eko Hotels Convention Centre, Lagos.
Not a few fans, officials and stakeholders of the fastly growing game have been waxing lyrically about the games and particularly, the organisation of the tournament.
For the record, the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) have set an enviable benchmark for the organisation of a basketball event. As it took the tournament to an unconventional centre, away from the usual popular venues.
Staging a continental tournament at the high-brow Eko Hotels Convention Centre, expectedly, drew scepticism and disbelief. However, the ingenuity and administrative acumen of the NBBF, came to the fore, as it completely transformed the place into a secure, world-class and beautiful basketball arena.
Notwithstanding the early ouster of the Nigerian team, D’Tigers from the tournament, fans and enthusiasts took to the games and particularly, the beautiful ambience of the venue, like fish to water, as they sang, danced and cheered the teams throughout the tournament.
Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the Cameroun Basketball Association, Sam Nduku, while congratulating all the teams that took part in the competition, expressed his satisfaction on the near-flawless of the tournament.
“Firstly, I’d like to congratulate the Nigeria Basketball Federation for taking up the challenge to host this tournament, at short notice. I must also commend all the countries that participated in this qualifier. Importantly, too, I give kudos to NBBF, for organising a world-class tournament, ” Nduku remarked.
For Ousmane Drame, a player of the Guinea team, that lost out in the semi-finals of the tournament, the organisation was top-notch, but it could get better.
“Frankly speaking, I’d say, it was a well-organised tournament. But it can get better, considering the fact that teams had to play back-to-back games, without enough rest. However, in view of the challenges of staging such a tournament, the organisers must be commended for putting in their best, he noted.
That fan favourites, Senegal lost to Cameroun in the final game, was not enough to dampen the morale and enthusiasm of former Senegalese basketball player, Madicke Sene.
According to Sene, who is the Chairman of the Senegalese community in Lagos, the organisation of the tournament was very good. And a big plus for the game in Nigeria and Africa.
“I’m a former basketball player before I relocated to Lagos, several years ago. I want to say a big thank you and congratulations to the Nigeria Basketball Federation for this wonderful organisation.
“I’ve never seen basketball played in such an environment. It’s totally a new and satisfying experience for everyone. Imagine, the players and officials just strolling to the basketball court from their hotel rooms. This is great,” Sene added.
Cameroon emerged as the best team at the FIBA Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament in Lagos, Nigeria after they defeated Senegal 80-74 in the final on Sunday. With this result, Cameroon picked the sole ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament beating reigning Afrobasket champions Tunisia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal.
