From Victor Osula, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has bestowed national honours on members of the victorious national female basketball team, D’Tigress.
The President also pledged $100,000 to each of the players and an additional $50,000 to members of the technical crew.
The D’Tigress achieved an unprecedented milestone in African sports history by claiming their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket championship with a commanding 78-64 victory over Mali at the Palais des Sports Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire on Sunday.
Receiving the players and the technical team at the Presidential Villa on Monday, President Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, commended the team for making Nigeria proud.
He also announced that each player and official in the team will be given a flat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, were among those who welcomed the basketball champions and coaching crew, led by Head Coach, Rena Wakama.
The victorious D’Tigress arrived at the forecourt of the President’s office a few minutes before 5 pm and were ushered into the New Banquet Hall of the State House.
The development comes exactly a week after President Tinubu hosted the nation’s female football team, the Super Falcons, who won a resounding tenth WAFCON title in Rabat, Morocco. Each of the players also got $100,000 and a 3-bedroom flat, along with a national honour.
