Paris 2024: D’Tigress deserve National Honours, SWAN hails Team’s Olympics historic feat

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has commended the performance of the Country’s Senior Women’s Basketball team, D’Tigress, at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, despite a 74-88 quarter-final loss to the USA.

SWAN President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, in a statement through the Association’s Secretary-General Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo on Thursday reckoned that the rare feat by the team which beat top basketball nations – Australia and Canada, at the Games deserves loud applause.

The President of SWAN, while further assessing D’Tigress prowess in recent times, recommended that a National Honours vis-a-vis Special Reception be accorded to the team that has made the country and Africa proud at the biggest stage globally.

“As those who go beyond watching matches and competitions, the Sporting Media, both in Nigeria and in other parts of the world, have been following and analyzing the performance of our Women’s Basketball Team with the various Stakeholders attesting to how prolific D’Tigress have been even before the Paris Olympics.

“The team has conquered Africa by winning the Afrobasket tournament four times in a row, which is equivalent to the Africa Cup of Nations in football. The last continental triumph some months ago was exceptional, being that the victorious team had just put together a few weeks before the Basketball championship.

“Now, their outing during this year’s Olympics is a further testament to the quality the team exudes. Their resilience and passion while in the court are the attributes that should characterize our National values.

“In Paris, they were outstanding in breaking records, including being the first African Basketball team (Male or Female) to reach the quarter-final stage of the Olympics.

“Indeed, they have been delightful to many who like good sporting display. I believe that honoring these girls as Worthy Ambassadors with a Special Reception back in Nigeria won’t be out of place.

“Such recognition will certainly make both the players and technical crew of the team who have shown commitment feel appreciated, and be motivated for more exploits in the future as the Basketball World Cup/Championship and more Continental engagements approach,” he said.