NBBF unveil new Head Coach for D’Tigress
In a bid to fortify their women's basketball squad, the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has made a significant announcement, appointing Coach Rena Wakama as the new Head Coach for the renowned Nigeria Women's Basketball team, D'Tigress.
According to the NBBF, the contract, revealed on Friday, June 30, is initially set for a period of two years. The decision to entrust Coach Rena Wakama with this crucial role comes as no surprise, given her impressive credentials and deep-rooted connection to the sport.
Rena Wakama brings a wealth of experience to the table, having once been a prominent Nigerian national team player. Presently, she serves as an Assistant Coach at Stony Brooks University in the United States, where she continues to impact and hone her coaching skills.
The NBBF shed light on Wakama's earlier achievements, stating, "Wakama was a 4-year letterman at the University of Western Carolina and played professional basketball in the United Kingdom, in addition to representing the Senior Nigerian National Team."
Academically, Wakama has also excelled, obtaining a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Western Carolina in 2014 and subsequently earning an MBA from Manhattan in 2019.
Hailing from Rivers State, Nigeria, Wakama now embraces one of the most significant challenges in African women's basketball, leading the formidable Nigerian ladies, who hold the title of reigning African champions.
Their dominance was showcased in their 2017 championship victory, and since then, they have remained unbeaten by any African team on any international stage.
The journey ahead for Coach Wakama, however, will not be without its hurdles. The team has endured significant emotional upheaval due to political controversies surrounding the federation's election in 2022.
Unfortunately, this turmoil resulted in Nigeria losing its place at the last Women's World Cup held in Australia, as the Nigerian sports ministry made a last-minute decision to withdraw the team from the competition.
Tasked with rebuilding the squad's morale and unity, Coach Rena Wakama faces an arduous yet transformative endeavor. Her expertise and guidance will be pivotal in steering the team towards newfound success, as they gear up to defend their African cup in Rwanda in July.
For the passionate fans of D'Tigress, this appointment signals a new era under the guidance of a seasoned coach, whose experience and dedication are poised to propel Nigerian women's basketball to even greater heights.
As the continent watches with bated breath, we eagerly await the unfolding of this chapter in Nigerian basketball history, rooting for Coach Rena Wakama and D'Tigress to reign supreme once more.
