Zetech Sparks forward Madina Okot is now free to join the Mississippi State Women’s Basketball team after being granted a USA visa on the fifth time of asking.
Madina has been disappointed four times as her application for a visa was rejected four times.
“ I just got good news today. I went to the US embassy and my visa was approved. I’m so happy about it, it has not been easy being denied four times. I kept going and I did not give up. Imagine being rejected four times and still having the energy to go back, and finally, God did it for me,” said an elated Madina.
Madina will be on a full scholarship, her third scholarship in her young basketball career of five years. She schooled at Kaya Tiwi High School on a full sports scholarship before joining Zetech University on another full scholarship as she turned out for Zetech Sparks in the women’s premier league.
The move to the US has not come as a surprise because Madina has had offers before since she burst onto the scene playing for Kaya Tiwi.
“She has to expect to play against the best of the best. She has to expect to work harder than she ever imagined in her life; it means on the basketball court she will be challenged like never before. She can handle it, and they have seen it,” said Michael Finley, the Kenya Country Lead, NBA Africa.
Finley says the big question is on whether Madina can adapt and adjust mentally because she also has to work hard in class. She can’t play without getting what is required in the classroom.
Madina says she is up to the task as she has overcome challenges before to excel. She first played for the national team in the 3×3 basketball event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom. She did exceptionally well, emerging as the best player in the Kenya team.
“I was a bit shaky. I didn’t expect to perform the way I did because I performed well. I was voted player of the match in my first game on that big stage, but I couldn’t speak because I was camera shy. It was very scary,” explained Madina.
Kita Matungulu, Director of Basketball, NBA Africa says Madina now has the chance to prove to the world that Kenya has got talent in basketball since her journey to the US has not been easy with the visa hiccups.
“We have to thank a lot of the stakeholders, especially the US government for allowing her and many other young people to have this opportunity to go play basketball and study in the USA. We are talking about the young Kenyan that can prosper on the next level,” said Kita.
The 6-foot-six Madina hopes to build from the Birmingham experience to fit in well in her new team, the Mississippi State Basketball team.
