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Akhator eyes Tokyo 2020 Olympics ticket, eager to have ‘first experience’
Ahead of the Qualifying Tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, D’Tigress Centre, Evelyn Akhator says qualification for the competition is a lifelong dream that must come through.
Speaking from her base in Salamanca, Spain where she plies her trade with CB Avenida, the 2019 FIBA Afrobasket winner said Olympics qualification and an outstanding performance is the height of any professional sports man in the national colors.
“It is really important that we qualify. It is the big deal because it is the biggest in the world. It is a big deal for me being my first Olympics,” said Akhator.
“I will love to go and experience it. It will be a huge achievement to go to the Olympics, not just going there but going there to make history.”
When prodded about her preferred OQT venue, Evelyn said Belgium or France would be her destination of choice while remaining optimistic about the team’s chances of picking one of the 10 tickets on offer from the OQT.
Read Also: D’Tigress seeded in Pot 3 ahead Tokyo 2020 Olympics Qualifiers draw
“With respect to all the 16 teams, I will possibly love to meet Great Britain, Serbia, maybe Belgium, Spain, Sweden, China and Mozambique in the qualifiers which I believe could brighten our chances of qualification,” she said.
Akhator, who was a member of the D’Tigress team to the 2018 FIBA Women World Cup in Spain where they finished 8th in the world, also took out time to appreciate Nigerians who have continued to support the National Team.
“There is no women’s basketball without the fans. It is really great to have people supporting us all the way.
“I see that basketball family keeps growing daily and I really appreciate the fans for supporting us all the way. It is a great energy for us to want to push and see that people are watching women’s basketball,” she concluded.
The Olympics Qualifying Tournament will hold between the 6th and 9th of February, 2020.
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