President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Musa Kida says stopping board members from imposing players on D’Tigress head coach, Rena Wakama played a key role in the team’s success at the 2024 Olympic Games.
D’Tigress made a big impression at the Olympics, making it to the quarter-finals before bowing out to eventual champions United States of America.
Wakama’s side defeated heavyweights Australia and Canada in the group stage.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Kida said the coach did her job without external influence.
“The responsibility is that we have tried to isolate other board members from influencing, board members can suggest, they can bring in names just like anybody else but the ultimate selection of the team is in the hands of the coach and the technical crew,” Kida said in an interview on NTA.
He described the coach as a visionary, saying she has proven critics wrong with her achievement at the Olympics.
“We are extremely proud of her dedication, commitment, and patience in trying to get the right thing done. It has not been easy,” he added.
“Coach Rena Wakama, we know that you did sacrifice a lot. We know that you had to tolerate and understand the Nigerian context of things and brought energy to the team, gave the girls a lot of confidence and showed leadership.”
He asserted that Nigeria was drawn against the highest-ranked team in Group B at the Olympics, appreciating the players for overcoming their fears to go beyond the group stage.
“It was the most difficult group and we are not expected to survive at all but again I always say my girls will always shock the world,” he said.
