Northern Nigeria’s female basketball players chase bigger dreams

Abuja, Nigeria – Khamila Sani Ibrahim grew up in Kano State, northern Nigeria, where opportunities for girls to play organised sport were scarce. She had to secretly train in basketball, hiding her activities to avoid family disapproval. Across northern Nigeria, sports like basketball and football have traditionally been male-dominated, with girls facing obstacles such as limited access to courts, equipment shortages, lack of coaching, and funding. Fewer chances to compete exist for girls who want to play. Through Grassroots To Greatness (G2G), an initiative promoting female empowerment in sports, girls are now finding opportunities to train, compete, and develop their skills. Founded by Jawahir Bello, a youth sports advocate, G2G provides structured training and female-only tournaments. Players wear custom hijabs, long sports vests, and athletic tights, emphasizing modesty and cultural values. Bello reported community stakeholders welcoming the initiative despite initial resistance. Ibrahim, representing Kano State in a multi-state G2G tournament, found a supportive environment where girls were valued. G2G provided jerseys, custom hijabs, basketballs, transport cover, and financial stipends. Fatima Diouf, another young player from Abuja, joined G2G to compete against tougher teams. She learned teamwork, confidence, discipline, and continuous improvement. For Ibrahim, balancing training with domestic chores and schoolwork remains challenging. She faces self-doubt and dismissive attitudes from male peers who assumed girls couldn’t compete at the same level. Mansur Abdullahi, assistant coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women’s national football team, notes that grassroots initiatives like G2G bridge gaps larger sports structures often miss, offering cultural understanding and acceptance. Participants dream of higher achievements, with Ibrahim aiming for a college sports scholarship in the United States and professional basketball. Bello’s vision extends beyond tournaments, aiming to show girls they can compete in sports while staying true to their identity and cultural values. The initiative’s success reflects broader efforts to integrate women into sports in northern Nigeria, fostering confidence and opportunities for future generations.