Senegalese female basketball star, Astou Ndiaye has given thumbs up to Nigeria for vast developments the country has taken in the game for the men and women in recent years.
Speaking against the backdrop of Nigeria’s female team, D’Tigress’ amazing surge at the FIBA Women’s World Cup in Tenerife, Spain, Ndiaye said it is a wonderful experience for the country.
The retired player ascribed the success of Nigeria’s female team to diversity, adding that Africa is capable of producing good players of her status in America’s Women National Basketball Association (WNBA).
She, however, stressed that such progression can only come through hard work, dedication, having in place the right support system and going through the process.
The Senegalese legend, who played in WNBA for Seattle Reign, Indiana Fever and Houston Comets, in addition to representing Senegal at the Olympic Games and Women World Cup, described the accomplishment of Otis Hughley’s team as a giant stride for Africa.
Ndiaye added that Nigeria is now a global force in the game because many of its female national team players have dual citizenship by virtue of being born outside the country.
She stressed: “If you look at the landscape, a lot of them (the Tigress) grew outside Nigeria and other places as dual citizens.
“Also many of the kids are able to play at higher level by going to different colleges around the world, where you have top level competition.
“When they come back to play for the national team, they improve. It is a step forward for Africa because you are talking about reaching the quarter final at the World Cup, which is huge and unprecedented.
“What we need to do in Africa, not just about Nigeria, is to keep on developing the game.
“To get to that stage was not a stumble by Nigeria, it is a product of hard work and everybody getting behind the team.
In the past, African teams used to be dominated in the first round and we try to beat others in the rankings.
“Kudos to Nigeria, onward and forward and no going backward. It is not just only Senegal and Nigeria, there is also a lot of organisation taking place in some other places.
“I wouldn’t say at the top level but the people are trying. I know Mali is doing great things with youths and a lot of few countries are also on the right track.”
