SÃO VICENTE (Cape Verde) – Meet Bruna and Aline, former teammates who use basketball as a guiding thread in their life.

Teammates last season in the regional championship of the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde, Bruna Neves and Aline Costa (18 years old each) share the same passion for basketball and have found in it a source of motivation as well as a place of friendship, joy, and serenity. Whether it is in one of the two teams of the Coach Sarda basketball school, at the Aminga basketball camp, in which they both shone in the summer of 2021 and 2022, or on the court.

How did you discover basketball?

Bruna: « I really enjoyed watching my schoolmates play basketball during breaks at school, and I really wanted to learn, so a friend introduced me to coach Sarda. I started playing at the age of 15 on the playground of Cruz’s neighborhood. The first time I played there, for me it was a moment of peace and tranquillity as if it was just me and the ball. »

Aline: « My first contact with basketball was through my father. I've always been a very active person and I've always really enjoyed sports. So, when I was little, we used to wake up early to train, we would run and then we would play. That is when my interest in basketball started to awaken, but I only started training when I came to São Vicente at 14. At the end of 2019, I joined Coach Sarda's team. Since I came to Portugal last year to study at university, I’m not playing as much as before, as I’m focusing on my studies. But I’m still playing with my friends on the weekend because I don’t want to lose the habit of playing. »

What does basketball mean to you?

Bruna: « Basketball means everything to me, I cannot live without basketball anymore because it helped me overcome several bad phases and still does. There was a time in my life when I could find happiness solely when playing the game, and when I do, it is as if the problems did not exist anymore. Since then, I play frequently, I’ve been playing on the Escola de Basquetebol Sarda (EBS) team for 3 years now. I like playing basketball with my team, and the people I am close to, it makes me feel freer and I have more responsibility. Through basketball, I met people who mean a lot to me, and my best memories come from basketball. I also saw friends of mine achieving their dreams through the game and I work for that purpose. »

Aline: « Basketball has now become part of my life, it plays a very important role for me. Basketball is the only sport I play at the moment. It is like therapy for me. Thanks to this sport, I am who I am today. I see basketball changing the lives of many people in many ways as if it gave direction to these people's lives. I've seen many people who went through very difficult times and told me that basketball was the only thing that motivated them and that when they entered the court, all problems simply disappeared, and also through basketball they are creating very strong bonds with other people. »

Could you tell us about your experience during Aminga camp?

Bruna: « Aminga is a program that encourages young people to practice sports but also values education. It is a camp where knowledge, entertainment, and joy are shared, but it requires a lot of work and dedication from the organizers. It is a place where I had the opportunity to meet new people and learn things on and off the courts through training and classes.  The people I met during my 2 years of participation will stay forever in my life. The campus provided me with knowledge and unforgettable moments, it was very intense and motivating. »

Aline: « I participated in Aminga Camp’s first edition. Many people participated and I enjoyed this experience a lot. I met many people and learned many things that helped me in life. The best memories I have are of the games and the friendship between people, it was like everyone was a family. Aminga helped us all to evolve as persons, doing good deeds without expecting anything in return was also a great message that was passed on to us. They also encouraged us all to fight for our goals and never give up as opportunities can emerge when we least expect them.

***

About Basketball For Good: 

The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and cultural heritage. 

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.

FIBA