Rena Wakama, the head coach of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, has been awarded the title of Best Coach at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This recognition, announced by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), highlights her exceptional leadership during a historic tournament for the team.
At just 32 years old, Wakama led D’Tigress to unprecedented success, guiding them to the quarter-finals for the first time in Olympic history. The team made a remarkable run, achieving victories against world number three Australia and world number five Canada, showcasing their resilience and strategic prowess. Although they faced a tough match against the USA in the quarter-finals, their performance left a significant mark on the global stage.
Wakama’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as she is also the first Nigerian female coach to win the women’s Afrobasket title since the tournament’s inception in 1966. Her innovative coaching style and dedication have not only advanced Nigerian basketball but also inspired many aspiring female coaches across Africa.
In addition to Wakama’s accolade, Nigeria’s Ezinne Kalu was named to the All-Second Team of the tournament, further emphasizing the team’s strong performance at the Olympics.