Nigeria’s failure to play the FIBA World Cup in Australia has continued to take its toll on the country. The D’Tigress who were number 12th in the world have now dropped three places as they are now ranked 15th in the latest ranking released last week by FIBA. As expected, while Nigeria took a nose dive, Mail who took Nigeria’s place had a big leap. The Malian female national team are now ranked 26th. They were ranked 35th in the world before making the FIBA World Cup appearance. China jumped to second place in the FIBA ranking presented by Nike thanks to finishing second in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022. China were defeated in the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Final 83-61 by the world’s top ranked team USA, who top the latest ranking with 848.8 points. By reaching the podium for the first time since 1994, losing only to the World Champion USA, China jumped five spots to second with 676.5 points. Hosts Australia finished third at home in Sydney in the flagship event of women’s basketball and retained the third place spot in the ranking with 668.3 points. Fourth place in the latest ranking now belongs to Spain, who fell two spots to 661 points as they failed to qualify for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup after taking second in 2014 and third in 2010 and 2018.

Chioma Ajunwa endorses Adron Games

Nigeria’s only individual Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa has thrown her weight behind the annual Adron Games. This year’s edition of the Adron Games billed for next month would hold at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Centre. Ajunwa in a message made available to the media in Lagos stated that she would be part of the three-day sports fiesta slated to run from November 10-12. “Let’s meet at Yabatech for the Adron Games. It promises to be a wonderful outing,” Ajunwa stated. Games consultant, Waidi Akanni who expressed joy over Ajunwa’s endorsement of the event said it is a clear indication of what to expect this year. Akanni said ex players most of whom laced boots for Nigeria in their heyday would do battle with Adron Homes contractors in a curtain raiser in which the GMD’s trophy would be contested for. The sports loving GMD of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing has on his part assured that the event would be a mouthwatering one for all participants. “Exciting time awaits spectators, athletes, invited schools and corporate bodies. It would be three days of sporting fun,” EmmanuelKing said.