D’Tigresses Can Excel At FIBA WOQT – Ogunjimi

Following the completion of the draws for the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT) on Tuesday in Mies, Switzerland, the captain of Nigeria’s female basketball team (D’Tigresses), Helen Ogunjimi, has expressed optimism about her side’s ability to make it to put up a great performance at the tournament and, ultimately, qualify for Rio Games.

The Nigerians will play in Group C alongside Belarus and Korea at the 12-team event taking place in the Nantes, France, from June 13 to 19.

Nigeria, who earned her spot in the WOQT by finishing third at the Afro Basket Women 2015, will have to contend with Belarus and Korea for a slot at the games.

Nigeria last competed in the women’s Olympic event at Athens 2004, where they beat Korea 68-64 to finish 11th in the 12-team field.

This year, however, Ogunjimi thinks she and the rest of the ladies can make a huge come-back, beginning with a great showing at the qualifiers.

“I feel and know that we are ready for any challenges coming our way. God didn’t bring us this far for nothing. It’s time to show that Africa and Nigeria are forces to be reckoned with,” she said.

Ogunjimi conceded that the battle will be tough, but said she is confident that her team has what it takes to put up a great showing – with enough hard work in tow.

“We’ll make sure that we get our workouts in, eat right, take care of our mind and body, so that we are ready for what’s ahead in June. We are making sure that we are staying in shape and that our minds are on the Olympics.”

Other groups are: Group A – France, Cuba, New Zealand; Group B – Turkey, Argentina, Cameroon; Group D – Spain, China, Venezuela.

The WOQT brings together 12 teams from across FIBA’s five regions – Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania. The top five teams in the event will qualify for Rio 2016, where they will join Brazil (host), USA (world champion), Serbia (Europe champions), Canada (America champion), Australia (Oceania champions) Japan (Asia champions) and Senegal (Africa champions).

Two best teams from each group will advance into the quarter-final. The four winners of the quarter-final games will get the 2016 Rio berths. The runners-up will compete for one spot in the 2016 Olympics.