JKL Dolphins and Gazelles (Uganda national women basketball team) star Ritah Imanishiwe’s name has been on the lips of many Ugandans in the basketball circles for her dazzling play style.
Imanishiwe’s club is the current defending champions of National Women Basketball League, and has been a member of The Gazelles in the recently concluded Zone 5 AfroBasket qualifiers. She sat down with our reporter for a Question and Answer session.
Briefly tell us about yourself
I am Imanishimwe Ritah, 23 years old, from a family of 8 girls and I am the 6th of them. My mother is Evans Nyirakubanza and my father is Jackson Rugwiza both Bafumbira from Kisoro district so I am a Mufumbira from Kisoro.
How long have you been playing basketball and why do you like basketball?
I started playing basketball in my senior one in Crane High School in 2008. The game has so many life lessons to give that is why I love and enjoy it. 10 years of basketball and this is my eleventh year.
What is helping you improve every day?
I have personal or say individual workouts.
What are the most points you have ever scored in a game?
25 points against the biggest and toughest team in Kenya called Kenya Port Authority (KPA).
How do you stay motivated after losing a game?
I never take the game too personal because there must always be a winner and loser. In this case if I lost, I would pick out the negatives from the game to improve on them.
What is the most important game you played in so far? Why?
All games I ever played have been important reason being there’s always a lesson learnt in each.
If you didn’t play basketball what sport would you like to play? Why?
I don’t see myself playing a different sport. In basketball, I enjoy as I earn.
Female basketball players are alleged to have love relationships with your mates, could you be one of them?
No comment.
What kind of love relationship are you in?
I don’t have any answer for that too.
What is your other hobby besides basketball?
Swimming.
Does basketball pay you enough? If no, which other side business do you do?
It pays me fair enough, besides ball I engage in a lot of other stuff nothing specific.
Who is your favorite basketball player?
Flirsh Flavia and Amoding Moureen.
What tips would you give to someone who wants to play basketball?
It’s worth a shot and has a lot to teach especially with life not forgetting it’s a fun game.
What surprising habit do you have and people do not know about it?
They are not supposed to know lol.