2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup: FIBA replaces Nigeria with Mali
The International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) has confirmed the withdrawal of Nigeria from the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia.
Nigeria’s D’Tigress will miss the global competition that will start in September after the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari called for the withdrawal of the country’s basketball teams from all international competitions and activities because of leadership crisis in the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).
President Buhari made the announcement in a statement through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sport Development in May and the withdrawal is set to last for a period of two years.
On Thursday, FIBA Executive Committee agreed to replace Nigeria with Mali who are the next ranked team from Group B of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Belgrade.
Meanwhile, FIBA added that they are yet to make decisions regarding Nigeria’s participation in other competitions and potential disciplinary measures because of third-party interference in the NBBF activities.
