Sports

Grateful D”Tigress expresses Gratitude for overwhelming receptions

Published

3 months ago

August 7, 2025

….Thanked Mr President, NSC, NBBF, and Corporate Nigeria for the show of love

Players and officials of the victorious D’Tigress are still basking in the euphoria of the welcome they received from both the Government, Corporate Nigeria and Nigerians after winning the Afrobasket for the 5th consecutive time in Cote d’Ivoire.

The players and their officials have been warmly received back home since their heroic feat in Abidjan where they did the unprecedented by winning the African women title for a record five times in a row.

After winning the tournament, the Nigeria basketball Federation,NBBF, alongside the National Sports Commission, NSC, ensured the team was flown back home as royalties in a chartered flight to officially present the trophy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR , at the Presidential Villa.

And taking a look at all that were put together for the team in the last few days, the players expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to the Federal Government and the Corporation Bodies led by Zenith Bank PLC.

Captain of the Team, Amy Okonkwo described all the receptions as an unforgettable experience of a lifetime for them.

” My girls and myself are sincerely overwhelmed to see how the whole country welcomed us and showed us love. It’s being a wonderful and undescribable experience, and we are even more motivated now to go on to do more for the country.

” Mr President showed us fatherly love and has given us more hope for the future. What can I say about our mothers – the Minister of Women Affairs, the Minister of Culture and Creative Economy and the Minister of state for Finance. Their support has been very inspiring and as a team, we are very thankful”.

” The Leadership of the National Sports Commission, NSC, led by Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko and the Director General Hon. Bukola Olopade, has also been very supportive. We have never had it this good, seeing how the NSC has been very concerned about our welfare and success throughout the tournament”.

” I also want to thank the Corporate Nigeria especially Zenith Bank Plc, who have been a big backbone of Nigeria Basketball for many years.They played a big part in our success story today. A big thank you also to NNPC, and we are very excited for all the plans they are putting together for Nigerian basketball”.

Amy Okonkwo who was adjudged the best player at the tournament also gave a special appreciation to the leadership of the Nigeria Basketball Federation,NBBF, led by it’s President Engr Musa Kida.

” All of these would not have been possible if not for the kind of leadership of basketball in Nigeria led by our President, Engr Musa Kida, whose immense sacrifice has brought us this far. He is our father and leader who inspires us everyday alongside our General Manager Musa Adamu and other board members of the federation”, she concluded.

President of the NBBF, Engr Musa Kida, has also thanked everyone for making the victory of the girls an unforgettable experience, expressing confidence that this will surely open a new vista of growth for basketball in the country.

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Sports

Dr. Andiir Solomon Atoo Honored with SWAN Diamond Jubilee Award for Outstanding Contributions to Sports

Published

1 hour ago

November 1, 2025

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

Benue-born sports administrator and philanthropist, Dr. Andiir Solomon Atoo, has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) for recognizing his contribution to sports development in Benue State and Nigeria at large.

Dr. Atoo, who serves as President of Flight Sports Nigeria Limited and Founder of Flight Football Club, Gboko, received the honour during the association’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Abuja.

Speaking after receiving the prestigious award, Dr. Atoo described the recognition as a “special motivation and encouragement” to continue contributing to sports growth across the country.

“I’m very happy and honoured. This award means a lot to me because it serves as motivation and encouragement. It’s something very special and not something I take lightly,” he said.

A respected sports administrator, CEO, and humanitarian, Dr. Atoo has built a sterling reputation for his commitment to nurturing young talents and promoting grassroots sports in Benue State.

Through Flight Sports Nigeria Limited, which oversees a range of sporting disciplines including football, volleyball, basketball, lawn tennis, and para sports, he has created opportunities for young athletes to develop their potential and pursue professional careers.

Under his leadership, Flight Football Club Gboko has become a platform for discovering and grooming promising footballers who have gone on to make their mark both locally and internationally. Beyond football, his investment in volleyball, lawn tennis, para sports, and basketball has revitalized interest and participation in these disciplines within Benue and beyond.

Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Atoo noted that his involvement in sports began purely out of passion but has now grown into a lifelong mission.

“It all started as a passion, but over time, it has become part of me — a culture,” he stated. “This recognition only drives me to do more for the progress of our youth and the development of sports in Benue State and Nigeria.”

He also extended his appreciation to sports journalists in the state and across Nigeria for their continuous support and constructive criticism, noting that their work plays a vital role in shaping sports administration and inspiring excellence.
Looking ahead, Dr. Atoo reaffirmed his dedication to empowering young athletes and improving sports structures in the region.

> “Going forward, we’re going to achieve great things in Benue. My message to sports lovers, administrators, and players is simple — stay dedicated, keep believing, and together we can make sports a major unifying force in our state and beyond,” he concluded.

The recognition by SWAN adds to Dr. Atoo’s growing list of honours as a sports leader, CEO, and philanthropist whose initiatives continue to drive youth empowerment and sports development across multiple disciplines in Benue State and Nigeria.

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