Bolaji Akiode's passion for basketball took her to the top level of the game, where she represented Nigeria at the Nations Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics. Despite her deep involvement in the game, Akiode never neglected her studies but bagged a first degree in Public Accounting and hopes to further her education. Aware of the challenges female athletes face, she set the non-governmental Hope4girls Africa, which combines sports with education, to tutor girls in schools. Akiode, who will be rounding off her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme in February 2012, told OLALEKAN OKUSAN that the desire to impact lives positively prompted her to set up the organisation. She also gave reasons Nigeria fails to blossom in basketball in AfricaHow has life been since quitting basketball'Life has been good, not without its challenges of course. I have got a chance to really grow and mature outside the game. I had a great opportunity to work for ESPN and build a strong relationship with the company, not only as a former employee, but also with my foundation. After playing basketball for so long, it takes a while to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life, but you just start somewhere and slowly but surely you find it. Soon I hope to pursue my master's next fall.What has been the problem of female basketball since the exit of players like you and others'There are many factors to this answer, of which it really isn't my place to criticize. But I will just say in general, there are no shortcuts in life and everyone wants to win. You can't keep expecting to have lack of a blueprint on how to sustain a championship team and continual building of a national team and stay on top and in the same ranks other countries are looking to win. So I guess it's a combination of other countries stepping up their game and Nigeria's lack of a blueprint on how to sustain success that has led to some of the issues we have had lately.What does it take to play at top level of the game, and what lessons can the young athletes learn from your experience'To play at the top level, it definitely takes hard work and dedication. I came into basketball late, at least for American standards, and I had to play catch-up. It was what I did when no one was looking that brought me to the level I reached. To succeed you have to be disciplined. I think that's the biggest thing I can tell anyone. Discipline and educated athletes will make it further than just talent. Over the years I've met many talented people underachieve due to lack of education and lack of discipline. One must remember the opportunity to play professional is very slim.Why did you decide to set up the Hope4girlsafrica'I didn't grow up in Nigeria and living in the United States, you take many things for granted - the abundance of opportunity, the support we get for whatever dreams, desires and goals you can think of. Mine, of course, was basketball, so when I started playing for Nigeria, it really gave me an opportunity to come back home and reunite myself with the people, my culture, life in general.I've always been socially conscious. I didn't grow up in the best neighborhoods back in Jersey, but there was always an outlet for you to express yourself and feel like you can be somebody. The story is not so much the same here. If you aren't privileged to be in a certain class, life gets increasingly tougher and in general for females, we don't need the added stress.I wanted to share what helped me make it through life with as many girls as possible. It's really that simple. We all have a part to play in this life. We all can't be Bill Gates, but it doesn't mean we can't do what is in our power to try to make this life a bit easier for the less-privileged. So why not do it in your own backyard' As they say, charity begins at home.Do you see yourself taking to coaching in basketball'No! I actually did coaching as a volunteer to see if I would like it and although many think I would be a good coach because I was always considered a smart player, I like more administrative perspective of sport - more managerial, I guess. Who knows maybe someday I will own a team'Education and sports are like Siamese twins, what is your view on this'I emphatically agree that education and sports should be like bread and butter. For me, you cannot teach life through books alone but through the tools you learn as an athlete you can definitely help enhance the overall betterment of the youth. It's really a shame that we haven't maximized that potential here in Nigeria. We have so many restless teenagers with energy and nowhere to challenge it.If you are in school from 8-3 and then train from 3-5, who has the time or strength to get into trouble' Combining education with sports is never easy because on daily basis you challenge yourself mentally, then physically. It really requires a lot of discipline to be successful at both, but again, the U.S. institution is designed to put in place structures that help us get through it. I hope sooner than later we develop the same structure that will work for Nigerian youth.
Click here to read full news..
