International Sport Connection 2012 Basketball Coach Exchange: Tennessee Highlights

Carol Nyafwono, Timothy Ayeet Odeke,  Immaculate "Chocho" Nalwadda, Marsha Sharp, and Nicholas Twesigye at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN

The International Sport Connection Basketball Coach Exchange took its third stop of its 2012 U.S. tour with a trip to Knoxville, TN.  Timothy Ayeet Odeke, Carol Nyafwono, Immaculate "Chocho" Nalwadda, and Nicholas Twesigye were selected for the current ISC tour, which is being guided by Dr. Jens Omli, the Director of the International Sport Connection. 

ISC Ugandan Basketball Coaches with Coach Marsha Sharp

Upon arriving in Knoxville, the Ugandan coaches and Dr. Omli were greeted by legendary women’s basketball coach Marsha Sharp.  Ugandan Coach Chocho Immaculate described the introduction as a “warm welcome by former TTU coach Marsha Sharp.  She is a great coach with a lot of fame and she welcomed us like she had known us before.”  The delegation toured the University of Tennessee and met members of the Lady Volunteers Women’s Basketball staff.  After watching a shoot around, the Ugandan delegation sat with Coach Marsha Sharp for lunch to share insights about her coaching experiences.  

Coach Marsha Sharp sharing coaching wisdom with the ISC Ugandan Basketball Coaches

ISC Delegation meeting U of TN Coaches

ISC Ugandan Basketball Coaches at U of TN

Coach Marsha Sharp, Carol Nyafwono, Immaculate "Chocho" Nalwadda, Nicholas Twesigye, and Timothy Ayeet Odeke

U of TN Women's Basketball

 

Coach Pat Summit getting interviewed

Later that day, the Ugandan coaches enjoyed watching the U of TN Lady Volunteer's Basketball team in action and witnessed Coach Pat Summit’s half-time interviews with ESPN.  Ugandan Coach Carol Nyafwono was impressed at “the way people support and watch the Lady Vols."  Coach Chocho also agreed that, “the massive attendance of the women’s game was beautiful." Chocho was taken aback by the half-time events.  “The presentation at the lady’s game was very nice to honor the current players.  There was a lot of intensity in the presentation of the players and the support that the ladies were given was impressive to me.”

Chocho, Nicholas, Carol, and Timothy at the Women's Basketball HOF

To round out their time in Knoxville, the coaches got a personal tour of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame with Coach Marsha Sharp.  Timothy and Nicholas took turns getting pointers from Coach Sharp and Carol and Chocho gained insight from Coach Sharp on how to be a successful coach as a woman.  One of Coach Carol’s most enjoyable experiences in Tennessee was the Women’s Hall of Fame. “The Women’s Hall of Fame was well planned and it had history of women from long ago.  The statues were speaking to us visitors telling us about the game of basketball, how it started, and the national champions over the years.  The exhibits told us about coaches and the evolution of the game of basketball.  I didn’t know that they used to just pass the ball.  I learned that the way the game is play has changed a lot over time.  It was interesting and it gives young people a source for great inspiration to learn about the history of women in sports.”

Coach Marsha Sharp was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003

Timothy and Coach Sharp

Coach Sharp and Carol

Coach Timothy noticed that, “Americans appreciate those who are achievers and the nation recognizes basketball in many ways.  They honor those living and it’s motivating and we can borrow it in our country to inspire our generations.”   

The lessons learned in the United States will remain with the coaches selected for the International Sport Connection Basketball Coach Exchange and Coach Timothy expressed his gratitude in saying, “I hope (International Sport Connection) keeps this up and continues helping us.  I think they are doing a great job and I'm so grateful for what they’ve done and provided in this visit to the United States.”

Coach Sharp and Ugandan Coaches shooting at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, TN

For more information on the International Sports Connection please see the website, www.internationalsportconnection.org.  Thank you to the SportsUnited division of the US State Department for funding this incredible program promoting sports diplomacy.