KPA's Brenda Angeshi lifts the lid on life, career, coaching and challenges

The year 2014 will forever remain etched in the mind of 37-year-old Brenda Angeshi.

This is due to the starring role she played as her club Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s basketball team emerged the league champions. Her strong performances also saw her claim the Most Valuable Player of the season award.

But beneath the brilliance and idolization that followed her impeccable display on the court, a career in sports has not been rosy. She recounts her experiences, struggles, achievements and vision to basketball Kamariki Dennis.

First of all I was born in Eastlands in the capital city of Nairobi. I started playing basketball when I was very young and we had an institution which used to give young kids around the area scholarships and I was lucky to be among those who were selected. They managed to sponsor me throughout my education all the way from primary school to college. I schooled in Eastern part of the country.

Q. Apart from coaching what else do you do?

I am practicing to be a tag master, to deal with tag boasts. I have a diploma in that field but I am looking to advance in it.

Q. What, by far, is your most memorable moment?

In 2014 when I won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. We also won the Premier League championship. I have achieved a lot, having played for KPA close to 13 years and winning the title for eight years is really a good thing, not just winning the local league but also the Zone Five Championships.

Q. What is your lowest moment as far as playing basketball is concerned?

I can’t remember the year exactly but it has to be when we failed to reach the final and we finished at position three. It was the worst season ever for us.

After that I promised myself never again will we finish in such a position and from then on we have either been winning or finishing as runners up.

Q. Why did you decide to call it a day?

I decided to retire from playing to focus on coaching because I am so passionate about basketball and also giving back to society.

Somebody saw me, gave me an opportunity and that’s what I want to see myself doing by passing it on to others.

Q. Do you see yourself in another club?

The love I have for KPA is so enormous that I can’t afford to see myself playing for another club, but maybe in coaching, if offers come my way I will definitely consider.

Q. Which was your dream club when you were young?

Just KPA, I would go to the Nyayo Gymnasium just to watch them play and they really played with passion, they made the game look simple and nice. When I got here I found out it was not that easy. You have to work hard to earn a jersey.

When you see a girl wearing a KPA jersey, she deserved it because it is not that easy, you earn it!

Q. Did you ever see yourself playing for a club outside Kenya?

Q. How is coaching life so far?

This has been my first season as assistant head coach. It feels so nice but I can tell you for free that the pressure outside is too much compared to when you are playing.

I am under a very competitive coach who knows what he is doing so it makes work easy for me because I get to learn a lot.

Q. What’s your take on basketball in Kenya?

We still have a long way to go especially when it comes to sponsorship. We have so many teams but lack of sponsorship makes things harder for them.

Q. Apart from basketball do you support other games?

I love football too. I am a diehard fan of Chelsea Football Club and locally I support Bandari Football Club.