The inspiring journey of Kenya National Women’s Basketball player Felmas Koranga is proof that hard work has the power to beat talent when the latter fails to put in the effort.
Through hard work and perseverance, Koranga managed to transform her life and those of the people around her.
Koranga, a Shimba Hills Girls Secondary School alumni, landed a scholarship from Tyler Junior College in the United States of America in 2018.
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She had been awarded another scholarship from Loyola New Orleans College a year before, but the lack of an American Visa prevented her from shifting from Nakuru to the United States.
The daughter of ex-Harambee Stars player Elijah Koranga went on to achieve incredible feats in the US, including becoming the first Kenyan woman to feature in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA) tournament.
However, that could not happen without the motivation and support of her elder brother, Ariel Okal, who is also a star basketballer.
TeamKenya.co.ke had an exclusive interview with Okal, who is currently playing professional basketball in Oman, and unearthed his instrumental role in Koranga’s remarkable career.
According to him, Koronga did not have a passion for sports during her childhood years.
“Felmas didn’t like basketball at all. She was more on the football field than basketball, and being the quiet one, she actually didn’t even want to play any sport,” revealed Okal.
The former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) player added that he enticed Koranga to try basketball, something which ultimately worked.
“When I introduced her to basketball I outlined the benefits of pro basketball and how we can get scholarships and make a living out of it. I was also doing well myself, so it was easy for her to relate.
“This was the biggest motivation for her and she has gone ahead to become a very educated young girl who is very talented in basketball. Her work ethic is admirable,” he explained.
Okal, who founded the Swish Basketball Women’s team in his hometown, disclosed that their parents also inspired Koranga to succeed in the game.
“The biggest encouragement for Felmas was growing up in a household of sports. We are a family that loves to play sports. We challenge ourselves through sports,” he stated.
Moreover, he divulged that Koranga’s journey to stardom was not without obstacles, both physical and emotional.
He narrated how a persistent injury almost made her quit basketball and the part that their parents played to help Koranga remain focused.
“I think it was mostly because of an injury she had and also frustrated by the fact that she was really good at the sport and opportunities were not knocking on the door.
“But God answered our prayers before she could pull the plug. My parents also encouraged her to play and here we are,” ended Okal.
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