Plateau State male basketball coach at the 18th edition of the National Sports Festival, Jacqueline Niagwan, has accused the officials that handled the match between his team and Oyo State at the Rowe Park, Yaba, on Thursday of tribalism.
Niagwan's team lost the match narrowly, going down 59-55 to their opponents. But the coach was dissatisfied with the result, alleging that the officials deliberately favoured the Oyo team in their decisions during the match. Niagwan said his team played better and deserved a place in the nest round ahead of the opponents.
She said “The officials in the game were bad and they were biased because my team did not come from their tribe.
“My team was dominating at the initial stage, but the officials were not happy with it, so they did not rule against our opponents, instead they took all decisions against my team at every opportunity.”
She complained further that basketball authority should guide ensure that all teams are protected against such bias.
“My players were good and the officials knew that the game might end in favour of my team, so they decided to be unfair.
“The National Sports Festivals officials should correct this attitude for the sake of one Nigeria,” she said.
