‎‎Why I sponsored 3 female Basketball coaches to become certified coaches‎‎‎

‎We rise by lifting others is a timeless quote, when you mentor, encourage, or support others you build stronger communities, and create a positive ripple effect that ultimately elevates you. Teresa Oyibo Ameh is a Nigerian author of children’s literature, a retired civil servant also known as aunty Talatu, a member of the Federal Capital Territory Basketball Committee and a member of the FCT Basketball caretaker committee, she sponsored training of three female FCT Basketball coaches at the National Institute for Sports in this interview with Stellamaries Amuwa, she speaks on professionalism and why she strives to make a mark anywhere she finds herself.
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‎What inspired you to sponsor these three female basketball coaches in the National Institute of Sports?
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‎I wanted the ladies to be certified coaches. I wanted them to be proud professional coaches and today, I am proud of how I have added value to them, I am so proud of them. They were really eager and excited when I told them I wanted them to do the basic coaching training. I went to see one of them where she was training some children in basketball. I was impressed because she was silently taking our children off the streets, through sports, through basketball. Being Aunty Talatu who is interested in the empowerment of the girls, I asked her to introduce me to other girls running the same programme in the FCT, and she did. I encouraged them to do the training so that they get certified as coaches. Three of them indicated interest, they got registered in the National Institute for Sports, and here we are today.
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‎Why did you believe they deserved the opportunity
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‎I never write off anybody, give everyone an opportunity to improve. I add value to their lives. Besides being a published writer, a retired director in the Civil Service, I am a deep humanitarian at heart. I believe we should advance the lot of the female. Let us all join hands together, give everyone the opportunity to become well empowered, better humans at home and abroad.
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‎What does this empowerment mean to you personally?
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‎It’s evidence of what I live for. It means a dream come true for them. I am really excited. I feel like a mother who has achieved what she has set out to do in the lives of her children. They have made me so proud.
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‎Why was it important to you that they become professionally certified coaches?
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‎For the records, I have been a member of the FCT Basketball Committee and also a member of the FCT Basketball caretaker committee and I always strive to make a mark anywhere I find myself. I try to bring relief, contentment and share advancement, especially to the younger ones. That is the mentorship I believe in. I am proud to say I have given them something permanent. I have given them something which can never be taken from them.
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‎What was your experience supporting them throughout their training at National Institute of Sports?
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‎It was okay. I established a strong bond with the ladies. I would visit them in school at the NIS, listen to their fears and struggles, advise them and assure them that they could reach out anytime the needed a mother figure around them. I also got to understand that never missed any of their classes. They promised to make me proud, and they did. I am really glad because God proved Himself. Supporting the young ladies was a trying time for me and people thought I would not complete it but I do not start what I will not end. I wasn’t encouraged by anyone but I believed in what I set out to do. To the glory of God, we are victorious.
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‎Beyond this certification, do you have plans to continue supporting these coaches?
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‎The young ladies know I am here for them. That’s what makes me different. They also know that they have a mother in me. However, I promise to continue to sponsor other ladies at the NIS. I believe so much in professionalism, so the trainings will be done in batches. That is my assignment.
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‎What is your message to other women who may want to pursue a career in sports?
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‎You want to pursue a career in sports? Please do so, but remember there are rules. Abide by the rules. Grab every opportunity and improve on yourselves. In addition, be humble. Walk hand in hand with God.
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