19th July, 2010
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the national Under 18 women team, the Junior Tigress will jet out of the country on 27 July for the FIBA-Africa U-18 Basketball Championship in Cairo, Egypt.
In a telephone chat with Basketball Timeout from their camp in Kaduna, Head Coach of the team, Aderemi ‘Owolo’ Adewunmi, disclosed that seven players will be decamped today, leaving only 15 players to fight for places in the 12-man team that will represent the country in the championship.
He said that despite the short time the team have for preparation, the players are gradually getting into shape. He revealed that the plan is to play some friendly matches with some U-16 and U-18 teams, to put the team in competitive mood ahead of the FIBA tourney in Cairo, which will dunk-off on 29 July.
The winners and runners-up of the competition will pick tickets for the FIBA-World Under 18 Championship coming up in 2011.
Some of the players in the Junior Tigress’ camp are Blessing Amos, Atunuwa Eva Lillian, Ogahanduku Sharon, Chika Juliet, Igiebor Osaume, Ogah Akpeze, Afimia Joan, Chukwuedo Emmanuela, Mohammed Samira, Eleumuku Sandra, Ugoka Uju and Edema Elo.
Others are Ayalogbe Bose, Isioma Okorie, Akanni Yetunde, Udo Marry, Atosu Upe and the 2009/2010 Zenith Bank Women’s Premier League best rebounder, Uchendu Ijeoma.