Robert dedicates prestigious nomination to family and country
VILLENEUVE - Inspirational Gabon team leader and EuroLeague Women star Geraldine Robert has expressed her delight at being announced as a nominee for the 2015 Africa Top Sports awards.
VILLENEUVE - Inspirational Gabon team leader and EuroLeague Women star Geraldine Robert has expressed her delight at being announced as a nominee for the 2015 Africa Top Sports awards.
The Villeneuve d'Ascq forward conveyed her joy and surprise at being nominated - highlighting what it means to both her and to her nation.
I really wasn't expecting this nomination at all, because I know that there are a lot of amazing African athletes. - Robert
Top five African Sportswoman of the Year!! Just unbelievable! I need all your vote guys ;-) https://t.co/uE7G96cqNu pic.twitter.com/FCXHi1chRw
— Geraldine Robert (@gegepog) December 8, 2015
"I knew that finishing seventh with Gabon at the last FIBA Afrobasket Women was quite a good achievement when you compare it to our overall history. It was always my goal to give 200 percent in every game I played - because I knew my team needed me and it is nice to get this recognition.
The nomination means a lot for Gabon and especially Gabonese athletes. It shows them that with a lot of work, determination and sacrifices, you can achieve your goals in life. I also hope that all the Sports Institution of Gabon will keep working hard and continue to be well organised, so that we can have more nominations like this in the future. - Robert
"This nomination also means a lot for my family and especially my son, because he is currently playing for the Sport Academy at Rouen (under the advice of my friend Ian Mahinmi, from the Indiana Pacers)," the 35-year-old added.
Happy bdayyyyy to a great man @ianmahinmi ☺😊 Thanks for everything you did and Still do for my lil man 😉 Bisous pic.twitter.com/Iv2rBznVjh
— Geraldine Robert (@gegepog) November 5, 2015
"It was really hard for me to let him go, but he really is well taken care of over there and he has improved so much - although I think I could still beat him in a one-on-one game," laughed Robert.
She was also joined in the nominations by Aya Traore of Senegal and that is something which Robert believes hands a major boost for the sport in Africa.
As far as these nominations are concerned, it just shows that the level of African women's basketball is definitely going up. Since there are two of us as nominees, I hope we can both be will be a role model for all the girls in Africa that want to play basketball. - Robert on being joined by Traore among the nominees
Click here for more information on the 2015 Africa Top Sports awards.
FIBA