The Federal Government has rewarded D’Tigress, Nigeria’s female basketball team, with the Order of the Niger (OON) national honours, $100,000 each, and a flat for their historic fifth consecutive AfroBasketWomen victory.
The team’s coach and technical team members also received $50,000 each.
This was announced when President Bola Tinubu hosted the team on Monday evening following the team’s unprecedented fifth consecutive Afro Basket Women victory.
At the reception in Abuja, the president was represented by his wife, Senator Remi Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
President Tinubu conferred the OON national honours on D’Tigress, recognising their outstanding achievement in African women’s basketball.
Each player received $100,000 and a flat, while the coach and technical team members got $50,000 each.
In the final on Sunday, Nigeria edged out Mali 78-64 in a tense showdown, displaying resilience and composure to claim their seventh AfroBasket title.
The team has won 29 consecutive games without a single loss since 2015, cementing their place as the most feared women’s basketball team in Africa.
Amy Okonkwo contributed 19 points in the final game against Mali.
Ezinne Kalu delivered 20 points, including crucial baskets in the second and third quarters.
Promise Amukamara and Victoria Macaulay made key contributions to the team’s victory.
President Tinubu had previously conferred similar national honours and gifts on the Super Falcons for winning Nigeria’s 10th title of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
The team was hosted by President Tinubu’s wife, Senator Remi Tinubu, and Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The President’s gesture demonstrated appreciation for the team’s hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievement in African women’s basketball.
