By Amaechi Agbo

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN FCT chapter, has demanded an immediate apology from the Federal Government and the Sports Ministry overseeing by Sunday Dare over the handling of Nigeria Basketball activities that led to the female national team, D’Tigress losing their FIBA Women’s World Cup ticket.

The D’Tigress qualified for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup after beating France and Mali in February qualifiers in Serbia however, the ladies lost the ticket to Mali after the Federal Government through the Minister of youth and sports, Sunday Dare banned the country from participating in international basketball competitions for two years

The decision, regarded as hasty, harsh and uninformed as well as being promoted by personal order than national interest, meant that Mali who came second from Africa zone replaced Nigeria.

In a communique issued after its congress on Thursday, FCT SWAN asked the minister to tender a public apology and compensate the players for the inglorious decision that cost them already secured World Cup ticket. The association also agreed to meet the minister to seek his assistant to interface between them and the NFF to ensure that sports writers are given slot in the proposed expansion of the NFF Congress membrship.

“FCT SWAN appeals to Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to as a matter of urgency tender a public apology and compensate the Nigeria Senior Women’s National basketball team, D’Tigress for their role in the team’s expulsion from the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2022 which is upcoming,” the sports writers said.

The FCT SWAN also set up a three-man committee to conduct Presidential Debate for the candidates vying for the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF Presidency in the September 30 scheduled election.

“FCT SWAN set up Committee to organise Presidential Debate for aspirants in the forthcoming NFF election slated for Moshood Abiola Stadium this September.

“Following the above, SWAN constituted a three-man Committee to midwife successful ‘NFF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE : FCT SWAN NFF PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES. The Committee members are Chris Onokpegu, Ben Ognemudia, Niyi Busari and Calister Enegele.

“The Congress however propose that SWAN should pay a visit to the Minister of Sports and convince him on the need to include sports writers as members of the proposed expanded NFF Congress.”