12th March, 2012
Coach of Union Bank Club of Lagos, Rotimi Savage, has backed the decision made by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, to use more foreign-based players for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, OQT, which will hold in Caracas, Venezuela in July.
President of the NBBF, Tijani Umar, had said that because the majority of Nigerian players are based in the United States and Europe, the federation will prosecute the Olympic qualifier with the professionals players.
Savage said that nothing could be done right now at the home front, considering the fact that most of the D’Tigers players are currently playing for their various clubs in America and Europe.
He said: “I think we are on the right track in terms of preparation for the Olympic qualifier in July. Since the federation has decided to go to Venezuela with foreign-based players, I think we should all support the idea.
“Ninety percent of our players are basedabroad and I think there is nothing we can do than using them for the tourney. I think we should settle for these professional players.”