The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has expressed disappointment at the decision of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Nneka Ogwumike and Elizabeth Williams.
FIBA has stopped the duo from playing for D’Tigress at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The tournament, moved from last year, will run from 23 July 2021 to 8 August 2021.
On Twitter, NBBF declared that the action was contradictory to natural justice and equity.
The sports body said FIBA permits African players to play for other countries, but denies them the opportunity to represent their country of birth.
“We do tacitly believe that there are undercurrents and motivation for such a decision”, the tweet read.
“It is also discriminatory because players of African descent are approved to play for other countries constantly but the reverse is not the case.”
Otis Hughley Jr., D’Tigress coach, urged FIBA to help basketball grow by allowing Ogwumike and Williams to play for Nigeria.
“Allow them the opportunity to help grow the game”, Hughley said.
