The Nigeria Basketball Federation Sunday released the list of the national U16 male and female teams to the FIBA Africa Zone-III qualifiers billed for Cotonuou, Benin Republic from June 24 through 28.
The U16 men team is led by youthful and dynamic point guard, Peter Odia of the Rookie Basketball Academy.
Young Odia is taunted to become of the world best point guard if given proper guidance.
Others in the team are Sesugh Ikima, Alhaji Umar, Mohammed Ismail, Yarwan Daniel, Kabir Isah, Yamsat Nnamma, Kelechi Anacheiunwa, Christopher Obekha, Sarki Abdulsalam Yiljep Yilret and Daniel Ganga.
The female list includes Atosu Upe, Samira Mohammed, Sandra Eleumuku, Akpesi Ugah, Chukwuedo Emmanuel, Eva Atunuwa, Tolu Alabi, Joan Afimia, Lillian Achimba, Sharon Ogahrandu, Blessing Amos and Sandra Udobi.
Coaches of the teams, Adamu Kuta and Adewumi Aderemi are confident that Nigeria will come out top at the qualifiers which will involve eight countries that made up the zone.
Other countries in the zone are, host Benin, Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire.
Two countries will qualify to represent the zone at the maiden edition of the championship slated for Dakar, Senegal in July and Maputo, Mozambique in September.
Secretary General of the Nigeria federation, Francis Gbiri discloses that the teams will jet out to Cotonuo, on Tuesday while hostilities are expected to begin on Wednesday through Sunday.
By: Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa