Shujaa Fidel Ongolla: Basketball guru bringing the sport closer to talented youth

For Fidel Ongolla, there has always been a need to cascade basketball down to the grassroot level.

It was this need that led him to pioneer the Nakuru County Community Basketball Association (NCCBA) which runs the Deep Crater League (DCL).

“The inspiration to start this association and also that of the Nakuru Universities and Colleges League (Nakuball) in which I am the Secretary General, was basically because of the desperation that was there,” he says.

The chairperson says that the journey that started two years ago, is slowly and gradually taking shape.

“The fact that we have been able to run two full seasons of the DCL is truly a testament to the great work we have put in. Also worth noting is that last year we were able run an entire season of Nakuball league,” he adds.

The chairperson says that the response they have had from the community has been outstanding.

“Ever since we started, we have seen the emergence of teams from Kaptembwa, Bondeni and London come out in large numbers to participate in the league. When we talk to the university team managers and school heads, they often say they did not have a way forward as far as basketball is concerned in the county,” he says.

The chairperson recalls a time when they were having one of their games in Kivumbini and some of the parents came up to him and thanked him for this initiative.

“I can honestly say that ever since we started these leagues, we have been able to curb the high crime rate that was initially witnessed, especially in the informal settlements. This league gives hope to many youth. It also acts as a stepping stone to enable them achieve great things in the future."

"I always say, if this league will open the doors for any of these youth either through scholarships, scouting programs or job opportunities, then I will be a happy man,” he says.

Fidel notes that they have had many successes in the last three years, the most recent one being the Nakuru County Women Basketball team that finished second in the Inter County games that were held in Malindi earlier this year.

“As a league, we also strive to better our players in other sectors as well. We recently had a seminar with the ladies that participate in our leagues under the Youth for Change Network where they were given a talk on how to manage stress, build mental resilience and coping strategies for peak performance,” he says.

As he concludes, he highlights that the major challenge is lack of funding considering that the league is self-supported.

“At this time, we are where we want to be and we are happy to facilitate this sport here in Nakuru,” he concludes.