Shooting Hoops and Sharing Culture: Kyrgyzstan Says "Keer-ghee-stan!"
Kyrgyzstan is back on the FIBA women's youth basketball scene after an eight-year hiatus, and 16-year-old Kamila Urmambetova is leading the charge. This year's FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup, Division B in Shenzhen, China, marks the first time the Central Asian nation has participated in the tournament since 2014.
Urmambetova, who picked up a basketball in third grade, thrives in her leadership role on the court. "I like basketball because I can shoot, communicate with teammates, experience all emotions from happiness and excitement to anger," she shared, "it gives me so much."
Her dedication to the sport was recognized in 2023 when she was selected for the Basketball Without Borders Asia All-Star 5. "It was such a great opportunity," Urmambetova recalled, "we had access to so many great coaches and I was just so happy to be a part of it. I met so many wonderful people."
Now, at the FIBA U18 Women's Asia Cup, Urmambetova is gaining valuable experience on the international stage. "It's another great experience to be here in Shenzhen, to play against a lot of other very good basketball nations," she said. "I am honored to represent my country, even though we lose, we have tried our best and the more we grow the better it will be."
Urmambetova's teammate, Karina Kadyrova, even took a moment to share a fun fact about Kyrgyzstan with the world, assisted by translating the interview. "English people say Keergisten," Kadyrova explained with a smile, "but it's more like Keer-ghee-stan!"
With young talents like Urmambetova leading the way, Kyrgyzstan's return to the FIBA women's youth circuit is sure to be a springboard for future success, all while teaching the world the correct pronunciation one tournament at a time.