One Kenyan business oga, Stella Waga, don remember how her own love for education stop am from becoming professional basketball player. She yarn dis one for interview with Sports247 for side of Year of Return Africa (YORA 2026) Summit & Expo wey happen for Westlands inside Nairobi, Kenya.
Waga talk say her love for di game grow well-well during her school days until her parents insist say she must put book first. "My papa strict well-well for education. My parents want education for me – once my grades dey okay, my pipo dey happy with me. E no get negotiation," she tok.
Gender attitude also play own part, Waga add, she note say "most pipo think say basketball na for boys." She remember say one coach meet am by chance, see her body build, offer mentorship and propose scholarship, but her papa refuse to support am.
"E be appointment wey end before e even start, but I no get regret about am. I be intellectual too and I dey happy with wetin I dey do," Waga tok. She explain say professional basketball "commercialise everything and comot di passion wey you get for am."
Wednesday sessions for YORA 2026 summit focus on sport efforts, endorsements and aspirations, as participants share experience wey aim to grow di sector across Africa.
