At just 13, Ayodele Elizabeth is beginning to turn her admiration for basketball into a promising sporting journey, following her participation in the maiden basketball competition organised by BeNurtured Athletics.
For Elizabeth, the tournament was more than an opportunity to play the game she had admired from a distance. It was a defining experience that introduced her to the discipline, teamwork and determination required to compete on the basketball court.
A member of the Titans female team, which competed in the tournament, Elizabeth described her introduction to basketball as a dream come true after she was invited to participate in the competition.
“ The game of basketball is an interesting and enjoyable game. I was very fond of admiring people playing it until the day my dream came to reality. This happened when I was invited to enrol in one of the tournaments,” she said.
However, the young player acknowledged that her transition from spectator to participant was not without challenges.
Preparing for the competition required repeated training sessions, during which she learned the fundamentals of the game, including passing, catching, ball handling, drills and shooting.
According to her, the early stages demanded considerable effort and commitment, but determination and encouragement from those around her helped her gradually adjust to the demands of the sport.
“At first, it wasn’t really easy because I had to go for practice upon practice, from where I experienced a lot, the passing, the catching, the drilling and the shooting.
“But as time went on with determination and encouragement, I fixed into it and I exhibited my best,” Elizabeth said.
Her participation in the BeNurtured Athletics competition has since given her a new sense of confidence and belonging in basketball.
“Today, I can boast of being among those that can really participate in basketball,” she added.
Beyond the immediate excitement of competing, Elizabeth is already looking towards a future in which she hopes to establish herself among the world’s recognised basketball players.
She expressed her desire to continue developing her skills, while acknowledging the importance of faith, courage and perseverance in achieving her ambition.
“My prayer is that God should endow me with more knowledge, wisdom and understanding to excel and be among the famous basketballers in the world,” she said.
She also offered a message that reflects the values guiding her sporting journey: “One needs to put God first in whatever you want to do and back it up with courage and determination.”