FG Should Get Private Sector Involved In Basketball - Pallas
In a chat with Smiley-bisoye blog, the D'Tigress player hinted that adequate plans for the private sector in sports will go a long way in promoting the industry.
Read the excerpts below:
My name is Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpannah, I am 23 years old, a Nigerian basketball player, and I also play for the Belgium side Basket Namur Capitale. I started my highschool in Nigeria in a boarding school actually. I started playing basketball at the age of 14, after attending a basketball camp Hope for Girls organised by Mobolaji Akiode in Abuja, Nigeria, after that camp, using a Nigerian phrase “ Na that time they notice my talent” and from there, It has been basketball all the way. And also before I forget, I occasionally do some modelling. I find it quite enjoyable.
BASKETBALL IN NIGERIA ISN’T A SPORT THAT IS ACCEPTED SO MUCH; MOST PEOPLE STILL BELIEVE IT IS JUST FOR LEISURE (SPORTS GUYS PLAY DURING THE WEEKEND WITH FRIENDS) NOT TO MENTION BEING A LADY IN THE SPORT, WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO BASKETBALL?
I was not inspired by anything in particular, as so many people would have attributed the love to some particular circumstance or occurrence in their life, basketball was almost an accident for me, I had a huge growth spurt in school. I was always athletic and always around the court and was sanded to try out. Suddenly, I discovered I had an affinity for the sport. From there, I took a casual interest in the sport. My parents observed me and started to encourage me to really develop my abilities even enrolled me in a basketball camp. A Good Samaritan saw me playing and felt I had a future in basketball. That person then encouraged me and by the grace of God I had an opportunity to further my education through basketball in the United States.
WE KNOW THAT IT TAKES MOTIVATION AND DREAM TO BECOME A FORCE TO RECKON WITH IN A PROFESSION. WHAT WILL YOU SAY IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOURNEY WHEN YOU HAD THE SECOND THOUGHTS OF QUITTING (THAT IS IF SUCH THOUGHTS EVER CAME THROUGH). WHAT WILL YOU SAY WAS THE TURNING POINT IN YOUR CAREER?
The moment I will regard as my turning point in my career would be during my sophomore year and when I felt I was being neglected. I had to make a decision on how to respond, either to prove that I deserve the playing time or just fall back and say it doesn’t matter, after all, I still have the scholarship. I felt rejected because I had been doing so well in my freshman year, but along the line, I had a little moment of slow growth, I had to decide how to approach it. It was a difficult time but through the family support and support of people that cared out me, I decided to not accept the secondary role and really push myself to improve my game. It came down to the advice I got from the person standing in the mirror in front me, it was either I take it casually and stroll through the period or challenge myself and raise my game so that when the opportunity came I would be ready. Throughout one’s career, there’s always a challenge of deciding what one wants to do. The only thing that can continue to create improvement for one is just to pursue excellence. One must decide whether one wants to improve or remain a mediocre good player. Looking at guys like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo, they have decided that they must constantly try to improve and be the best. We all know that perfection is unattainable but if one chases that perfection, one might catch excellence.
WE WOULD HAVE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THE INVITATION TO JOIN D’TIGRESS AHEAD OF THE OLYMPIC, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTIONS WHEN YOU RECEIVED THE LETTER OF INVITATION TO PLAY FOR THE NATIONAL TEAM ARRIVED AND THE EXPERIENCE SO FAR?
It was one of the important days of my life and will still go down as one. I felt much honoured having to represent my nation, the pride that comes with wearing the Green and White wear, and standing next to our flag while the National Anthem is on and making my family was proud. I’m still a rookie just starting out and there are a lot of established extraordinarily talented great players in the team, which for me, is a huge motivation and source of pride. Playing alongside great players like Ezinne-Kalu Phillips, Promise Amukamara, Sarah Ogoke to mention a few, I do have a long way to go before I get to their level but I believe that I will get there with hard work and continuously trying to improve my game, I will become a valuable member of the team.
LET’S DISCUSS THE GAME OF BASKETBALL IN NIGERIA, ESPECIALLY AS A FEMALE PLAYER IN NIGERIA, HOW WELL HAS THE GAME BEEN ACCEPTED, AND WHAT ARE THE CURRENT CHALLENGES FACING THE SPORT?
The game of basketball in Nigeria has not been fully accepted. Looking around, you will see the focus of Nigerians and the sport they love. It is soccer, there is a pitch in every corner of the society, but looking at the basketball courts, it is limited. Also, as a female player, it is a different narrative. Although there has been an improvement in the formation of a good force with the D’Tigress, more needs to be done. The general acceptance is poor in Nigeria especially for an athlete, there are very few Nigerian athletes signed into any endorsement; so most times, people are discouraged from venturing into it or following their passion.
IN YOUR WORDS, WHAT WILL BE THE WAY FORWARD FOR THE SPORT ACROSS BOARD, PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS WHICH SHOULD BE ADOPTED?
The government needs to start incentivizing sports through tax breaks and we should also be looking at encouraging viewership of sports across the board, developing a local fan base of sports across all platforms and channels, using the case in Senegal which today boasts of one of the best basketball arenas in Africa, and also with well equip standard fields across all states and communities. But we haven’t seen much of the investments in the sports sector in Nigeria. The government could get the private sector involved in the industry and make adequate plans for the private sector in sports. We also need to start promoting local sports in grassroots, it will serve as a source of unity and entertainment for the nation. We can build a Nigeria where sportspeople will not have to leave the shores of Nigeria to go abroad in search of better platforms. The government can create the platform we need here so we can groom the future of superstars.
A LITTLE BREATHER NOW, IN THE COMING YEARS, WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AND THE BRAND?
My immediate goal is to become an elite-level basketball player. The brand will take care of itself. My game, proficiency, and abilities will speak for me and will open doors to greater opportunities. I want to be known as someone who strives continuously for perfection. I get my inspiration from looking at the big brands like C. Ronaldo Lebron James, and Messi. These are people whose work ethic got them to where they are. There are those who were as naturally athletic and gifted as those guys but didn’t have the work ethic. Beyond that, I’d like to be an influencer and spokesperson for young people. I want to be able to see young people developing the right values; the pursuit of excellence. There’s no easy way out; the only way to excel is through hard work.
IF YOU WERE STOPPED ON THE WAY BY A FAN, AND THE QUESTION OF WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST DREAM IS ASKED, WHAT WILL YOUR RESPONSE BE?
Well, one of my biggest dreams is to have my own academy where young girls interested in the wonderful game of basketball will be groomed, mentored, and hopefully represented and signed to big brands across the world.
👏🏾👏🏾
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