Nigerian Female Basketball Team, D’Tigress Reject Selective Part-Payment of Wages

Nigeria’s women’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, have rejected the move by the sports ministry to make part payment to selective members of the basketball team. They indicated that unless playing and non-playing staff of the team from 2018 to date is included in the ministry’s plans, the payment should be held off.

D’Tigress, who recently won the FIBA AfroBasket title for the third time in a row, on Thursday is insisting on the rights of salary for the players including vendors since the 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

The statement below was made via their official Instagram page:

“It is incredibly sad that we had to take these measures for things we shouldn’t fight for, for it to be addressed. We are glad we have the support of our fans, friends, family, pundits and some leadership around the world to bring awareness to what has plagued not only Nigerian sports but Africa in general,”

“We thank the Ministry for their swift response but respectfully decline part payment of monies owed to every member of D’Tigress since 2018 FIBA Women’s World Cup (players, officials, behind the scenes staff, vendors etc.). We are a team and will leave no one behind. The Ministry is the governing body of Nigerian sports and needs to hold NBBF former president accountable or take responsibility.”