Veronica Chika Iweanya is a bundle of pleasure to be with. All the time smiling and full of pleasure, the 24 years previous shared some wonderful tales about her life throughout an Instagram Stay session. Presently primarily based in Lille, Northern France, the Nigerian basketball star has come a good distance in each profession and sports activities.
After graduating with a First Class Bachelor’s diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the distinguished Covenant College, Ota Ogun State, Nigeria, in 2017, she traveled to France for her Masters in 2019 and continued her love relationship with basketball. Standing at 183cm (6 toes), the Lagos born basketball participant shared her love for the sport. A recreation she developed a ardour for because of the need of gamers and coaches to assist her develop the talents wanted to excel within the sport.
A defining second in her basketball profession can be on the Giants of Africa Worldwide camp in 2018 the place she was chosen as a part of the highest 50 ladies to attend its first-ever feminine camp in Nigeria. The Masai Ujiri initiative sponsored by Nike and the Toronto Raptors president introduced prime coaches from internationally who guided the campers on each basketball and life abilities. She says that Masai would all the time inform the youngsters to Dream Large. However what caught to her was the mantra “I’m a Big!” that was echoed all through the camp. Up to now, she says she nonetheless says it as a mantra earlier than each recreation, check, interview, and many others.
On the benefit of mixing her research and sporting actions, Veronica Chika Iweanya confessed how troublesome it was for her to adapt initially. The French language was a critical hindrance to her getting settled. It was so troublesome to cool down together with her basketball workforce since all her classmates and teammates spoke in French. She was pressured to be taught French and her basketball coach rapidly got here to her rescue, devoting an hour earlier than every coaching day for that function. ‘The wonderful help system I discovered round me made me to simply adapt so rapidly’
As she bought a grip on the French language, issues started to ease a bit and so did her efficiency on the basketball court docket. An added incentive was when she got here involved with Nigerian nationwide basketball participant Evelyn Akhator who coincidentally signed for French basketball side- Flammes Carolo. The Ardennes primarily based workforce signed the thrilling heart ahead in 2019. Veronica, whose ambition is to play for The D’Tigress, has since developed knowledgeable relationship with Evelyn Akhator. She sees her as a mentor and an individual who has paid her dues within the recreation.
Sports activities has gotten a justifiable share of racism and Veronica confirmed from her private expertise that she has been fortunate to not expertise it in France. Humorous sufficient, throughout away video games together with her basketball workforce, (She discovered herself fouling out extra typically than after they play at dwelling) fouls are known as on her extra typically than after they play at dwelling.
When requested concerning the contentious subject of equal pay between female and male athletes, she expressed her displeasure on the disparity as a result of if feminine basketball gamers are anticipated to dunk for instance, then they need to be paid equally like their male counterparts. She sees no motive why male athletes ought to be paid greater, in as a lot as females even must undergo harder terrain of their profession and sports activities.
On the plans by the French Authorities to ease lockdown starting from on Monday the eleventh of Might, and the potential of sporting actions returning to regular, Veronica expressed her candid view, saying she would have most well-liked the pandemic has cleared out utterly earlier than such strikes are applied. Sports activities like basketball are contact-based and the danger degree is excessive, so it could be good for security causes to make sure gamers do not get uncovered to such excessive danger.
It is simple to call your favourite participant, particularly when that participant has been an ideal position mannequin for you. Evelyn Akhator is her favourite participant (Along with her penchant for 10 factors and 10 rebounds) every recreation, Veronica confessed that she significantly influenced her model of play as she additionally averaged double-doubles in her school profession. She additionally talked about her resiliency and psychological toughness as key abilities she admired from the Nigerian Basketball Star. whereas the Feminine nationwide workforce of Nigeria- The D’Tigress stays her favourite workforce. She reminisced on tales of her throughout her undergraduate years, making her complete workplace the place she interned watch a dwell D’Tigress recreation throughout workplace hours the place Sarah Ogoke shot a three-pointer to win on the dying seconds of the Afrobasket event a number of years in the past!
At present enjoying with Stade Roubaisien Basket that’s competing within the French Federation of Basketball (FFBB), she joyfully shared the information about finishing her grasp’s program at EDHEC Enterprise College, Lille, France. The journey has not been straightforward, however in a message to her followers, she expressed optimism about reaching her targets to play with the feminine nationwide workforce of Nigeria- The D’Tigress, a sentiment I echoed primarily based on the truth that she has the potential to excel on the highest degree in profession and sports activities.
One wonderful truth about this gifted basketball star is that she would have opted for soccer if she hadn’t fallen for her past love. You could be questioning what place she would go for in a soccer pitch. Protection, after all, was the response. Not troublesome to determine figuring out attackers can be contending with a robust 6 toes protection stalwart weighing at 67kg. Not essentially the most thrilling prospect for even essentially the most bold attacker. For now, the love romance between Veronica and basketball continues. Tomorrow is full of prospects and hopefully one will get to see Veronica Chika Iweanya placing on the attractive inexperienced white jersey of The D’Tigress!
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