Expdonaloaded News; 2016 Olympics: D’ Tigers tipped for medal in Rio

A Lagos-based sports philanthropist, Toyin Sodipo, has congratulated the national male basketball team, D’Tigers for winning the African basketball championship which ended in Tunisia last weekend. Sodipo who sponsors the annual Abesan Cup expressed delight that Nigeria won the coveted trophy for the first time in the history of the competition. The Tee & Tife oil boss said the victory proved that with adequate motivation, other sports, apart from football, can bring more hon- our to the country.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to host the team as a way of appreciating their gallant performance. “They (D’ Tigers) have displayed great patriotism and sportsmanship winning the elusive trophy. They deserve to be rewarded by the Federal Government. They should be honoured same way the Super Eagle were rewarded after winning the Africa Nations Cup in 2013,” Shodipe submitted. “This is a team that left the shores of the country with no expectation from Nigerians, but returned with the biggest prize in African Basketball as well as qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. They never complained or argued over money while in camp,” he said. He further appealed to the National Sports Commission to organize a training tour for the team ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games in order to keep them in top shape. “I believe a training tour of the United States before the Olympic Games will improve the skills of the team. “They will confront top oppositions in Rio and it is better they prepare very well. I believe they can win Bronze medal in Rio.”