COACH WAKAMA HAILS TINUBU’S LIFE-CHANGING SUPPORT FOR D’TIGRESS

By: Gyang Dakwo

Head Coach of the Nigerian women’s basketball team, Rena Wakama, has praised President Bola Tinubu for what she called life-changing support following the D’Tigress’ fifth straight AfroBasket title.

Wakama, who made history as the first woman to win back-to-back AfroBasket titles as a coach, spoke on Monday at the Presidential Villa after the team was hosted and honoured by the President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

She said the reward given to the team showed the President’s strong belief in the players, and it gave them renewed hope to aim higher. Each player received one hundred thousand US dollars, a flat, and a national award, Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), while Wakama and the technical team got fifty thousand US dollars each.

“We are so thankful, so, so thankful for His Excellency President Tinubu,” Wakama said with emotion. “This is life-changing for some of these girls, life-changing for us. This is what we need, renewed hope. We are grateful for this and we look forward to even more support in the future.”

She said the team’s victory in Côte d’Ivoire was made possible because of their unity and strong passion for the country and the game. She said playing for Nigeria was easy because they all loved the flag they represented.

“When you love your country, your teammates, and the game, everything falls into place,” she said.

Wakama said the opportunity to coach at this level as a woman showed that positive change had begun, and she hoped her story would inspire more women to step into leadership in sports.

“It breaks my heart, but I know change has started with me,” she said. “To be a woman and get an opportunity to coach at this level is a good sign for others. I am thankful to the NBBF president for trusting me to lead this team and do my job. I hope I am not the last, and I hope I have inspired other women to take bold steps into coaching.” Wakama, who is also an assistant coach at WNBA side Chicago Sky, said her team was already looking forward to the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany. She called on Nigerians to continue supporting the team as they prepare for the global stage