The Nigerian male Basketball team, D'Tigers, will not be under any kind of pressure to produce results at the London Olympics beginning soon, says Tijani Umar.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) President made this submission while responding to questions from sportswriters at the Abuja National Stadium.
"We have done what we needed to do. We have nothing to prove to anybody."
He revealed that: "We are going to have fun in London. Nobody is going to put us under pressure."
"We are going there to just play basketball. These guys are great players. They know what to do. I'm not here to make promises on behalf of anybody", Mal Umar maintained.
D'Tigers are grouped in Group A alongside USA, France, Lithuania,Tunisia and Argentina.
Gaining qualification
"The only thing I can say today is that success doesn't come by accident. There was a very concerted effort to try to organise and prepare. We did the very best we could do and I think the result speaks for itself now.
NBBF President noted that "It was not a shock. This country, potentially, is one of the greatest basketball nations under the sun but it takes a lot of efforts and preparation."
He pointed out that "I think for the first time in a long time, we needed to prepare a programme which we also religiously executed."
He praised the coaching staff and the players for a job well done, stressing that they were hard working and committed towards the goal of the team.
Preparation
After seeing off great sides like Greece and Lithuania, on their way to grabbing a slot in London, at the qualifying series in Venezuela, Umar said the team needed rest.
"The team is in a short break but the team will reconvene in Surrey for training at the weekend ahead of the Games.
"About ten days after training, they will move to the venue of the Games".
The NBBF President asked for continuous supports from Nigerians to ensure that the team get motivated during the period of the Games.
The 2012 London Olympics Games is scheduled to hold from July 27 to Aug. 12.
D'Tigers' first match at the Games is against Tunisia on July 29.
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