Najjuma looks to leave mark at debut Uganda appearance

KAMPALA (Uganda) - For Maria Najjuma, playing at the FIBA U16 Women's African Championship 2019 in Kigali, Rwanda from July 26 to August 4 will be a dream come true.

She has described it as a life changing opportunity to make a timely introduction to the African continent in a massive way that will go down as one of her biggest basketball memories.

Quick to note that as debutants, the journey will not be one of mere roses for Uganda but that it will come with thorns is a sign that she understands the toll order this event comes with but nevertheless ready to come face to face with the challenge. After all that is what differentiates greatness from ordinary.  

"IT WILL NOT BE EASY AT THE AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIP BUT WE NEED TO BELIEVE IN OURSELVES TO DO GOOD. WE WILL NOT TAKE ANYTHING FOR GRANTED. WE JUST WANT TO REPRESENT UGANDA, OUR PARENTS AND OUR SCHOOLS WELL."- Najjuma

 Uganda's qualification campaign last month was a sign of bigger things to come and her statistics wowed everyone and what a sight for the ardent basketball loving fraternity in Kigali who were quick to point out her ability to even be better. 

At 15 years and 1.88m (6ft 2in), Najjuma is a marvel of nature for her age. At the FIBA Africa Zone 5 Qualifiers, she averaged 33.2 rebounds and 24.5 points per game, statistics that her coach Roger Serunyigo believes have given her confidence ahead of the continental showpiece. 

Speaking to FIBA.basketball in an exclusive interview, Serunyigo said, "Najjuma has learnt the art of patience with the ball and trailing her guards to get extra points off offensive rebounds. And this too thanks partly to the guards especially Esther Namiiro Kwagala."

He emphasised that, "There is going to be growth in the game at the grassroots level but a big chance to rub shoulders with the big nations. We hope to put up a fight there."

"BASKETBALL HAS GOT ME SCHOLARSHIPS SO MY PARENTS DO NOT HAVE TO SPEND ON MY EDUCATION AND I WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY IN THE UNIVERSITY AS I CONTINUE TO STUDY."- Najjuma

"It will not be easy at the African Championship but we need to believe in ourselves to do good. We will not take anything for granted. We just want to represent Uganda, our parents and our schools well."

For Najjuma, basketball is not just a game like any other. It is a vehicle for her to achieve her dreams in life and is also a way of life that has enabled her to go through school.

"Basketball has got me scholarships so my parents do not have to spend on my education and I want to keep it that way in the university as I continue to study. I am on a scholarship at St Noa Girls Secondary School who emerged runners up in the National School Games in Kampala," she said passionately. 

"Right now, my dream is to play on the Uganda senior national team and the rest I will leave it to God." 

For a player with that much potential, it is rather surprising that Najjuma only started playing basketball a year ago. She confessed that, "I love basketball and the other reason I play is that I am tall an that is a merit over the other players." 

"I used to be scared while playing but through training, the coaches have taught me self belief. They trust me more than I trust myself. It is incredible."

"My father has always told me that I will be a great player one day and today it has come to pass. It gives me more motivation to even prepare more for the African Championship. It will not be easy but I will do my best." 

Najjuma and her teammates will be anxious to know the draw of the tournament because should they meet the tournament's most successful side Mali, who have won a record five titles in five editions, it would be interesting to see how best she would approach the game. 

She said, "Discipline is part of basketball and this I have grown to learn. You must always listen to your coaches and teammates and stay disciplined always." 

Uganda along with hosts Rwanda, 2017 African champions Mali, runners up Angola, Egypt and Mozambique who finished as semifinalists and automatically qualified will be vying for the two slots available for Africa to play at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2020. 

 FIBA