From Cameroons to Rollins
Daniel Paulling
Issue date: 9/24/07 Section: Sports
- < prev Page 2 of 2
So, because of her love of saving things, Teuma decided to collect used clothes, shoes, and basketballs to take back. Her teammates were very receptive, and Teuma
managed to collect three large boxes worth of equipment.
Next, she had to figure out how to distribute the goods. Teuma decided to stage a tournament for the basketball players of
Cameroon. Six teams of 12 players each participated.
"It was just a tournament to play basketball," Teuma said. "When I was growing up, I loved just playing basketball." To help fund the tournament, which was called
the "Lady Tars Tournament," Teuma helped find sponsors to help defray the costs. She also paid some of the cost out of her own pocket. The jerseys and shoes were given to the better players of the tournament as
awards and the basketballs went to local youth programs. "It's kind of weird seeing
the pictures that Ines brought back and seeing the Rollins name all the way in Cameroon," Wilkes said. "It's great that she's helping out those with fewer resources."
The difference in basketball talent in Cameroon and the United States is not that much, according to Teuma. "People here are more physically prepared," she said. "We practice six days a week here, but only three times in Cameroon. There are more weight rooms here and the weather limits how much you can play there, since the courts
are outside."
Teuma wants to return to Cameroon and host another tournament, but does not know when that will happen next. Round-trip tickets cost $2,500. Whatever happens, Wilkes is proud of Teuma, both as a player and as a person. "She's a stellar person and hard working," Wilkes said.
managed to collect three large boxes worth of equipment.
Next, she had to figure out how to distribute the goods. Teuma decided to stage a tournament for the basketball players of
Cameroon. Six teams of 12 players each participated.
"It was just a tournament to play basketball," Teuma said. "When I was growing up, I loved just playing basketball." To help fund the tournament, which was called
the "Lady Tars Tournament," Teuma helped find sponsors to help defray the costs. She also paid some of the cost out of her own pocket. The jerseys and shoes were given to the better players of the tournament as
awards and the basketballs went to local youth programs. "It's kind of weird seeing
the pictures that Ines brought back and seeing the Rollins name all the way in Cameroon," Wilkes said. "It's great that she's helping out those with fewer resources."
The difference in basketball talent in Cameroon and the United States is not that much, according to Teuma. "People here are more physically prepared," she said. "We practice six days a week here, but only three times in Cameroon. There are more weight rooms here and the weather limits how much you can play there, since the courts
are outside."
Teuma wants to return to Cameroon and host another tournament, but does not know when that will happen next. Round-trip tickets cost $2,500. Whatever happens, Wilkes is proud of Teuma, both as a player and as a person. "She's a stellar person and hard working," Wilkes said.
Be the first to comment on this story