Going to America
Two girls from the
Hope 4 Girls Basketball Foundation programme will tomorrow fly to the
United States of America to begin a scholarship programme.
The move,
facilitated by Hope 4 Girls founder Mobolaji Akiode will allow the
girls, Ijeoma Frank and Nkiru Uju study Computer science and Education
respectively at the Grayson College in Texas.
For Akiode, this is
a sign of better things to come as her dream of giving hope and
empowering young girls through sound education and the game of
basketball is gradually taking shape.
“It’s rewarding to
know that you are positively impacting lives. It makes all the hard
work worth it and it will bring me greater joy to see the girls not
only succeed but also impact the next generation as well,” she said.
Route to greatness
Akiode who also
trod the same path en-route to becoming one of Nigeria’s best female
basketball players featuring at both the Olympics Games and World
Championships for the country, believes the girls are on a journey to
greatness.
“For me the key is
free education and an opportunity to expand their minds, change their
future and be anything they want to be. Basically, I think they can
gain everything,” she said.
For the girls who
interestingly were part of the Nigerian Junior women U-18 basketball
team, the Junior Tigress which recently secured a berth to the World
Championships scheduled to hold in Chile next year, it is a dream come
true.
“I have always
wanted to play basketball and study in America, I am very much excited
with this opportunity, and I hope to make the best use of this,” an
elated Uchendu said.
Both girls thanked Akiode, who they call Mo, and expressed confidence that their success will open doors for the other girls.
“It’s a once in a life time opportunity and we will not disappoint Mo for this chance and believe she has in us,” Ugoka said.
Multiple benefits
Coach of the Junior
Tigress team Adewumi Aderemi said the exposure the scholarship will
have a positive impact on the national team.
“I am very happy
with that, it’s a step in the right direction. I only hope they don’t
get carried away. Once they are focused out there, it would improve
their game and the country even stands to gain from that,” he said.
College basketball
is usually the prelude to a future career in the WNBA but Akiode,
herself a former college and WNBA star, hopes that more girls from her
foundation will be given opportunity to pursue not only a career in
basketball but also in academics.
“A career in
basketball is always a good way to have a positive impact in the
society but they cannot play basketball forever,” she said.
“By going to
college and earning a degree there’s that guarantee of a life after
basketball, and that is what I want for these girls.”
According to
Akiode, it was not just a stroll in park to secure both the scholarship
opportunity and the travelling documents for the girls.
“Visa and
documentation process is always difficult. But if you are legitimate
and the girls’ papers are legitimate then you just have to follow due
process and hope for the best.”
Sustaining Hope 4 Girls
The Hope 4 Girls basketball programme is in its second year with Ogun State and Lagos hosting the editions so far staged.
Fifty five girls
from within and outside Nigeria participated in the second edition of
the programme held in Lagos State. The edition, held some weeks back,
had been rounded off with an all-star match.
Unlike the first
edition made up solely of Nigerian girls, this year’s edition had seven
girls from neighbouring West African countries in attendance which to
Akiode is a testimony to the success of the programmes thus far.
Though happy with
the progress made thus far, Akiode appeals to more individuals,
corporate bodies and even the government for support.
“We are always looking to support girls and their education, but we
can’t do it alone its financially tasking and these girls without our
financial support would not be able to even pay for the flight. So we
need people to join and support us and help us help impact the lives of
many more to come.”
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