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Nigeria lead the bidders to host the 2011 FIBA African Nations Cup but faces opposition from the Ivory Coast and Madagascar. 

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) formally submitted its bid to FIBA Africa to host the event last week.

Tijani Umar, the President of NBBF, has held discussions with FIBA executives in Abidjan and claims that they want to take the event to Nigeria and that they had been specially invited to bid for it.

The event will act as a qualifying tournament for the London 2012 Olympics.

He said: “You may recall that Nigeria was to host the 2009 edition but stepped down after serious plea from FIBA Africa for Libya to use the opportunity to develop the game and get back into the system.

“This time the other two contestants actually bidded [sic] but Nigeria was specially invited.

“What is required is to get Government approval to host and then set up the local organising committee.

“We are very positive that when the official announcement is made it will be Nigeria unless we decide not to host.”
Nigeria is the only major basketball country in Africa that has hosted the African Championships and also the only country among the continent’s major four, which also includes Angola, Egypt and Senegal, yet to win it.