Sports

Rivers Hoopers stranded, may withdraw from FIBA Africa Basketball league

Published

5 years ago

February 21, 2019

Nigeria’s representatives at the maiden FIBA Africa Basketball League, Rivers Hoopers have made known their intention to withdraw from the competition due to financial reasons.

Drawn in Group A alongside host Association Sportive Sale (Morocco), Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise (Tunisia) and SLAC (Guinea), Hoopers are billed to begin their fight for a place in the Elite 8 in a week’s time.

But with only few days left to their first game, the team is still in Port Harcourt without enough funding to travel to Morocco to honour their fixtures.

General Manager of the club, Ifie Ozaka told the club’s media department that they are considering sending a letter to FIBA notifying them of Hoopers’ intention to pull out of the competition.

Ozaka is however calling the attention of the club’s sponsor, Rivers State Governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, to see to the team’s plight.

The FIBA hammer would hit hard on the club if they fail to participate at the ongoing continental Basketball League, as a ban from subsequent FIBA Africa Club competitions and a huge fine for failing to participate will be handed the club.

Rivers Hoopers are scheduled to play against AS Sale on Friday March 1, 2019.

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