By Jude Opara, Abuja
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko has congratulated the Junior D’Tigress of Nigeria for their superlative start to the FIBA U-19 Women’s Basketball World Cup taking place the in Czech Republic.
The Nigerian U-19 Women’s Basketball in the opening group match, rallied to a thrilling 93-88 victory over pre-match favourites, China.
Despite trailing 44-38 at halftime, the Nigerian girls mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, showcasing resilience, skill, and heart.
In a statement on Sunday, Dr (mrs) Kehinde Ajayi, Director Information & Public Relations, said Dikko, hailed the performance as a victory of belief and preparation, even as he commended the athletes for making the nation proud on the world stage.
“This victory is not just a win on the court—it is a statement of what Nigerian sports can achieve with focus, teamwork, and the right support. Our J’Tigress U-19 girls have demonstrated courage and resilience, and we are extremely proud of them,” Dikko said.
In a related development, the Director General (DG) of the Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, in his own congratulatory message praised the girls for their fighting spirit and discipline throughout the gruelling encounter.
Olopade said; “Today’s triumph is a testament to the growing strength of women’s basketball in Nigeria. The composure, technical discipline, and collective effort from the players and coaching crew speak volumes. We salute the J’Tigress and assure them of our full support as they progress in the tournament.”
It could be recalled that the standout performer of the day, rising basketball star Nora Ezike, delivered an astonishing performance with 25 points—16 of them in the decisive fourth quarter—to help seal the memorable win for Nigeria.
The NSC eggheads while extending the congratulations to the entire team, including the coaching staff, urged them to remain focused and to take each game as it comes with the hope of winning the World Cup.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
