President Bola Tinubu has commended D’Tigress‘ head coach, Rena Wakama, for being named the best manager of the Olympic women’s basketball event.
FIFA and Olympic organisers voted Wakama the best coach after leading D’Tigress to the tournament’s quarterfinals for the first time in history.
It was the first time an African country had reached the final eight of the Olympic basketball event, whether male or female.
Nigeria finally lost to the United States in the quarterfinals.
Tinubu said Wakama‘s FIBA award “accents her well-established leadership qualities and dedication to excellence” in a statement issued on Monday by Ajuri Ngalale, the presidential spokesperson.
The president encouraged D’Tigress “not to relent or become crestfallen, but to remain resilient and determined for greatness”.
Tinubu also praised the Nigerian participants for their “good sportsmanship, discipline, and sacrifice” at the Olympics.
He congratulated the athletes for their contribution to the country and wished them success.
Team Nigeria had 88 participants in 12 sports but did not win any Olympic medals.
This was the country’s weakest Olympic showing since London 2012.