By Joe Apu
Last weekend in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, the second edition of the Women Elite Sports Empowerment Initiative (WESIE) in conjunction with the South East Basketball rounded up the second edition of its programme with Imo and Enugu States emerging champions in the men and women’s categories respectively.
WESIE, a brain child of Funke Eno Adeniji was set up to empower women through sport by creating various opportunities for participants to develop and improve their sporting skills through various events e.g. clinics and tournaments. WESIE also seeks to use sports as a tool of engagement to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities that host them through various initiatives.
Speaking at the end of the event, Adeniji expressed joy at the turn out of the female folks for the championship noting that the level of competition had increased from the first edition held in Enugu.
“I am glad with the turn out of the women folks and their level of play has increased compared to what we saw in Enugu. For us in WESIE, this is just the beginning of good things to come and it was indeed a pleasure to have the assistant national team coach, Peter Ahmedu on ground. His presence for us speaks volumes because it means some of the girls that played here could have a chance to play in the national teams.
“We’re thankful to the Nigeria Basketball Federation board led by Musa Kida and particularly to the South East representative Osita Nwachukwu for making the dream of WESIE tome to reality. Their support cannot be quantified.”
Reacting to her partnership with the South East Basketball, Adeniji says that it has provided her the platform to reach out to her likes pointing out that her vision is beyond the game. “South East Basketball has been tremendous but that is not to say that we can’t go to other states. In fact, we’re open to any state that wants to partner with us because our dream is to help give a helping hand to the women folks all over the country.”
The former national team player, who resides in London, revealed that when she was first told of leadership programme, she didn’t take it seriously but has since realized the far reaching benefits.