Sport is unifying; it brings people, communities and countries together. For Nigeria, their basketball team has made them take a pause, it has been their escape from what is transpiring in Nigeria.
Female basketball players need female coaches, declares Rena Wakama, the head coach of Nigeria women's basketball team D’Tigress.
As a skilled basketball tactician, she has rightfully earned her place among the elite in international coaching. Wakama is the mastermind behind D’Tigress' recent successes, leading the team to remarkable achievements since taking over as head coach in June last year.
Notably, she is the first female coach to helm D’Tigress. Under her guidance, Nigeria made history at the Paris Olympic Games, with Wakama becoming the first coach to lead an African basketball team—male or female—to the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games.
“There's no gender in sports. We can lead, we can Coach at the highest level. Female basketball players need female coaches. No one can teach you how to be a woman except for a woman. So, it's super fun to be in this position, because representation matters,” the soft-spoken Rena told us at the mixed zone after the Nigeria and USA quarter-final at the Bercy Arena.
“I'm so proud. We did this in 1 year. 1 year we did this. I'm so proud. I'm so happy. And this is just the beginning.”
The Nigerian girls made history by accomplishing a feat never attained by a male or other female team before – they were the first African team to play in the quarter finals of the Olympic Games.
“I have intelligent women that can be leaders in different avenues, but we use basketball as our ministry to obviously serve and give back. So, we hope that we can wake up the world and inspire the youth and other people to come,” Coach Rena on her team.
To put it into context, Africa’s basketball Olympics participation dates back to 1936 when Basketball was introduced at the Olympic Games – Egypt was the sole representative. Until the Paris Olympics, Africa’s best finish was Egypt’s 9th place at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Nigerian girls have scrapped off that history. En route to the knockout stage, the six-time African champions beat Australia in their opening match. Nigeria also beat the fifth-ranked team Canada to reach the quarter-finals.
“The history the D’Tigress has made here, It's a huge accomplishment. So many times, people have looked away from Nigeria, basketball, even women's basketball, in general, and to come to this tournament and put on a performance we did. I'm pretty sure that the eyes are on Africa now. And I'm just looking forward to the development for the young girls and young boys back at home,” said Nigerian point guard Ezinne Kalu who dropped 16 points on the night.
Rena, 32 years old was born in North Carolina, Wakama represented Nigeria at the 2015 Women’s Afrobasket. She is also the assistant coach at Tulane University from April this year. She holds a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a master's degree in Business Administration from Manhattan College. But Basketball is her escape. She is the first coach to lead an African basketball team (male or female) to the quarter-final of the Olympic Games. When I asked her why she loves basketball, this was her response,
“I love it ever since I was a kid. It was an escape for me. I'm super competitive. You put me anywhere, I'm gonna try to fight and win. So, basketball just tended to be my go-to and I love it. I love competing. I love everything about the game of basketball. I always find myself just shooting a ball. It's therapeutic for me. Yeah.” coach Rena on her love for basketball.
With coach Rena, Nigeria's women's basketball team D’Tigress has indeed done incredibly well and made Africa proud despite exiting the Paris Olympic Games in the quarter finals. The Nigerian girls were eliminated by world number 1 ranked with the contest ending Nigeria 74-88. Nigeria trailed USA the first three quarters - 17-26, 16-26, 15-24 but the girls staged an outstanding final quarter closing up 26-12 against USA. However, it was too late to cover up the points deficits with USA winning by 14 points. Promise Amukamara led Nigeria with 19 points while Amy Okonkwo dropped 16 points with seven rebounds and two assists.
“I'm a proud Coach. I'm their biggest fan, their biggest supporter, hardest critic, but I'm happy they were able to wake up the world and also inspire the world with their heart and determination in the way they played,” Rena on her team’s performance.
“Honestly, I'm happy. We've accomplished so much just by being one of the only African teams left here in the tournament. I'm proud of what we've accomplished so far. In order to be the best you have to beat the best and unfortunately fell short today. But I think we will remember who Nigeria was today,” Ezinne Kalu said with her focus now on LA28.
Nigeria walked into Paris as the 12th-ranked team, but now have gone up four positions to number 8. Nigeria’s performance is a grand testimony that the country and continent at large are not short of talent, what is needed is proper investment.
The Western African country is benefitting from basketball talent nurtured overseas as D’Tigress players are based mainly in the USA and Europe. Point guard Ezinne Kalu who has nurtured her talent in the USA says there is a need for investing in women's basketball. Ezinne,32, has represented Nigeria in three Women's Afrobasket editions – 2017, 2019 where she was named the MVP and in 2021.
“It shows that the development is there. You have coaches that've put in a common effort to improve the younger generation to get to where we are now. And it just shows that the growth will continue. And if we just put our resources where they need to go, use the money to fund these young organizations and the girl that's working hard, I'm pretty sure the best to see to go grow in Africa, Nigeria, or even after a girl that watched it all the day and got inspired, keep dreaming, keep going, stay motivated, stay dedicated, whatever your dreams are, keep working on them every day and try to focus and accomplish that.”
D’Tigress performance giving Nigeria hope
Sport is unifying; it brings people, communities and countries together. For Nigeria, their women’s basketball team has made them take a pause, it has been their escape from what is transpiring in the country.
“It's huge. I know there's a lot of war and fighting and things happening back home. And I heard that on match day, everyone was united and everyone was happy that we were competing. Everyone came together as Nigerians to support. It means everything I'm happy that we could do that. And I think it's just a testament that sports matters in the world. I'm here today because I have sports, right?” Coach Rena said.
“I know there's a lot going on up right now in Nigeria with the protests, but this is the moment to celebrate. But with basketball like this or something so amazing happening, it allows Nigeria to just be silent. And a lot have written to cheer for us and just have hope. And I wish there was something I could do more to help back home if anybody can reach out to me through social media, I want to help as much as I can,” Ezinne Kalu