Customs refuse to release kits of basketball teams with less than 19 days to Olympics

The Nigerian Customs Service has impounded kits and other sports equipment which was donated by a China-based company to Nigeria's basketball teams ahead of the 2020 Olympic Games.

According to reports from The Guardian, the items have been held up in the possession of the Customs Service for 3 months with only 19 days to the tournament.

An official of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) said the Customs Service is requesting N35m for the federation to clear the goods.

The federation, through the Sports Ministry, has written to the Ministry of Finance for a waiver but the request has not been granted.

“Where did they expect us to get such huge amount of money to clear the Kits? Beside, it was a donation to us and the Customs Service should understand us. Our players need the kits at the Tokyo Olympics,” the official stated in the report.

Both Nigeria’s men and women’s national basketball teams are billed to compete at the Olympic Games, which will begin on Friday, July 23, 2021.