Sports News of Tuesday, 5 August 2025

Source: www.punchng.com

Tinubu gifts D’Tigress $100k each, flats, OON

D’Tigress celebrating AfroBasket victory D’Tigress celebrating AfroBasket victory

Following their triumph at the 2025 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket, President Bola Tinubu on Monday honoured the D’Tigress, with a reward package that includes $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for every member of the coaching and technical crew, a three-bedroom flat each and also conferred on the players and their technical crew the prestigious national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger.

This was announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the presidential reception in their honour at the State House Banquet hall, Abuja.

Nigeria extended their dominance in African women’s basketball on Sunday, defeating Mali 78-64 in Ivory Coast to win a record fifth consecutive AfroBasket title.

The triumph not only cemented their dominance over the continent but also broke Senegal’s four-in-a-row streak from 1974 to 1981, establishing Nigeria as the first side in history to win the championship five times consecutively.

The triumphant D’Tigress, alongside their officials, were warmly welcomed by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, supported by the Wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima, at the New Banquet Hall in the Presidential Villa at 5:05 PM.

On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Shettima received the team in recognition of their outstanding achievement.

Also in attendance at the reception were Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youths and Sports Development, Garba Maidoki; and Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Kabiru Amadou.

Nigeria have now won seven African titles.

The win saw Nigeria extend their unbeaten streak at the FIBA Women’s AfroBasket tournament to 29 games, stretching back the last 10 years.

Also, they have secured an automatic spot at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Captain Amy Okonkwo was named the Most Valuable Player, winning the award for a second consecutive tournament.

The ceremony at the Presidential Villa mirrors a similar reception President Tinubu hosted a week earlier for the national female football team, the Super Falcons, who recently secured their 10th WAFCON title in Rabat, Morocco.