4th June, 2012
First Deepwater basketball club of Lagos combo guard, Nkechi Akashile represented Nigeria at the 10th All Africa Games in Mozambique, the Africa Cup of Nations in Mali in 2011, and was also part of Deepwater’s team that finished third at the FIBA Africa Champions Cup held in Lagos last year.
Despite her immense exploits in the domestic women’s basketball, the two time Most Valuable Player of the year, MVP, recently revealed to P.M Sports that her dream is to play for Nigeria at the Olympic Games.
Your team, Deepater basketbll club of Lagos are on the verge of winning the domestic women’s league for a club record of three consecutive time. How would you rate this achievement?
It has been through hardworking and deication from all the players and our coaches.The finanacial contribution of our sponsors has also been of tremendous help for us to win all the titles in the short life span of the club.
No one can underrate your immense contribution to the feat recorded so far by First Deepwater. How would you react to that?
Actually, like I said earlier, it has been down to our team work and the bonding that exists among the players. My individual contribution on the court while playing for the team is my responsibilty to a club that have given me an opportunity to actualise my potentials. I always want to give my best without seeking personal title.
Having won the league two times and on the verge of making it the third time in a row, coupled with the Most Valuable Player, award, MVP, you won for the past two seasons, you must be proud of what you ve achieved at your age?
No. My ultimate dream is to play for Nigeria at the Olympics. I don’t feel happy when we couldn’t qualify for the 2012 London Games owing to our failure to finish on the podium at the Africa Cup of Nations in Mali in 2011. Right now my target is ensure I remain fit and in top shape for the next Olympics and hopefully, we will qualify and I will be able to fulfil my dream to represent Nigeria at the summers Games.
Do you see your team going all the way and win the league title for another couples of years and surpass former chasmpions, First Bank club of Lagois straight five years domination of the Nigeria women’s basketball league?
Well, if we could create a new record it will be a great achievement for us as a group of players and the owners of the team also. But right now all we are focusing on is to remain strong and win as much trophy as we could for the club.
Do you see yourself playing for another club in the country or play abroad?
Definately with good offer and right team, I will play for any good team in the country. On the issue of playing abroad, I leave that in the hands of my God. I am not in a hurry to play abroad because I have seen some players that went to play abroad and in a couple of years they back in the country with sorry tales to tell. So when its God’s time I will get the right offers and play in foregn land.