Tag: Wakama

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated   Rena Wakama, Coach of the Nigerian women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, on her recognition as the best coach of women’s basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Wakama, 32, was honoured by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) for her outstanding leadership and dedication to excellence, which led D’Tigress to become the first African basketball team to play in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu commended the team, coach, and all those involved in the historic achievement, urging them to remain resilient and determined for greatness.

He emphasized that good sportsmanship, discipline, and sacrifice are essential values in competitive sports.

The President thanked the Nigerian contingent for their performance and wished them success in their future endeavours.

“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Ms Rena Wakama, D’Tigress’ coach, on her recognition as the best coach of women’s basketball at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Read Also: Tinubu hails D’Tigress’ Wakama Best Coach Paris 2024 Olympics award

“The Nigeria women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, put up a spectacular performance at the Olympics, becoming the first African basketball team to play in the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games.

“President Tinubu states that the recognition of Ms Wakama, 32, by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), further accents her well-established leadership qualities and dedication to excellence.

“The President commends the team, the coach, and all those who played a part in the unprecedented feat at the Olympics, enjoining them not to relent or become crestfallen, but remain resilient and determined for greatness.

“President Tinubu affirms that winning trophies and medals is the ultimate goal in competitive sports, but nothing trumps the place of good sportsmanship, discipline, and sacrifice shown by all those who held the Nigerian flag at the Olympic Games.

“The President thanks the Nigerian contingent and wishes them success in their respective endeavours”, the statement said.

Nigeria’s  female basketball team’s head coach , Rena Wakama, has been named the best coach of the tournament following the  exploits of the D’Tigress  at the Paris  2024 Olympics.

This announcement was made by Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) after USA defeated France to win their eighth straight medal in the men’s category. 

The 32-year-old led D’Tigress to their most memorable performance by an African team both male and female in the history of the Olympic Basketball Tournament by reaching the Quarterfinals of the competition.

Read Also: Team Nigeria’s poor run at the Paris 2024 Olympics

At the  Women’s Olympic Basketball  tournament, the  D’Tigress  beat Australia  in their opener and  also  beat Canada 79-70  in between  the 54-75  loss to hosts France  before the 88-74  quarter-final loss to USA.

 The D’Tigress  under Wakama’s watch  made history in Paris as the first African team –male or female to reach the quarter final stage  of an Olympic Basketball’s event.  

The Senior National Women’s Basketball Team, D’Tigress Head Coach Rena Wakama has expressed confidence when her girls  take on  the U.S.in the  quarterfinals of the women’s basketball at  the ongoing Paris Olympics.

The News Agency of Nigeria ((NAN) reports that Nigeria will be playing the nine time gold medalist, U.S  today in a quarter-final clash.

Wakama who spoke virtually from Paris, France said: “we are really excited because we want to play the best of the best.

 “We believe that everything happened for a reason. We met them already in Belgium but we did not play our best, so we are looking forward to meeting them again on Wednesday.

Read Also: Okonkwo credits Wakama’s pep talk for Canada win

 “I think the first game that we played with them was an eye opener. We were able to watch the game and break down what we did wrong,

 “We were able to see what we did good and I think now that our girls has the experience of playing against them, it would help a lot.

 “We’ve also played about five games now, we have three friendly and three matches here so we are going into the game confidently.

 “Playing well and we have a great addition to the team (Ezinne), that brings another level of intensity and experience to us.

 “So we are looking forward to doing what we do and do it well,” Wakama said.