FIBA-Africa Club Championship For Women: Why I’m Playing For First Bank

Nigerian national women’s team player, Rashidat Sadiq, in this interview with BAMIDELE OLOWOSAGBA revealed why she decided to come back from her base in America to play for her former team, First Bank Basketball Club of Lagos, in the ongoing 17th FIBA-Africa Club Championship for Women.

First Bank have always been part of the African Club Championship having won the tourney in 2003 and 2009. In the last two years, it has been First Bank and First Deepwater, what can you say about advent of Deepwater on the continental scene?
Well, I think it is a good omen that Nigeria is being represented by another new team apart from First Bank. It has always been First Bank making their mark while other teams that represented the country could not go far in the competition. The fact that Deepwater are making impressive impact shows that the slamming and dunking game is improving in Nigeria.

As you are aware that First Deepwater are the back-to-back champions of the domestic league for the past two years? Pundits of the game believe if Nigeria is to win this year’s FIBA Africa Club Championship it will be First Deepwater. Do you agree with notion?
Absolutely no! That they (First Deepwater) are the champions does not mean they will automatically perform better than First Bank in the tourney. Playing in the continental championship is a different ball game. For the record, First Bank are the only team from Nigeria that have won the trophy twice. That feat alone will give them a lot of confidence.

What informed your decision to play for First Bank in the tourney this year?
Like I said earlier, First Bank are a big club not only in Nigeria but also in Africa. Also, they are the first team that come for my service. I have been with the team in the past and won trophy for them, I think I can assist them this year.

You have joined the team in the past few weeks and trained with them, what could you say were present in your days with First Bank when you won titles and now?
Sincerely speaking, I think the winning mentality is still there and the players are still hungry for success just as we were then. That Deepwater overthrew First Bank in the domestic doesn’t mean it is over for them,. It is one of those things in sports all over the world. I believe First Bank will bounce back and be a force to reckon with once again.

Finally, how will you assess the chances of Nigerian representatives in this year’s edition of the championship?
I have no doubt that both First Bank and First Deepwater are going to be among the four semi finalists and from that moment, it’s going to be anybody’s game. With luck on our side, I can see us (First Bank) winning the trophy for the third time on home soil.