After a week of training, players from the local championship have won the heart of the national coach. (Ph:Dr)
“I came back to Côte d’Ivoire to understand local basketball and familiarize myself with the mindset of the players and the whole landscape of the discipline. It is important for a coach to know and understand the state of mind of the athletes and coaches with whom we want to progress and win battles. Basketball is a place of life and sharing. It’s not just a set of patterns that players are asked to apply like robots, ”says Dejan Prokic.
The Serb was helped in his task by local technicians such as Sosthène Koné (Azur), Blaise Amalabian (Asa) and Doh Koné (Csa Treichville) all selected by the National Technical Department led by Anicet Lavodrama.
The technician who wanted to instill a culture of national selection in young local players left rather satisfied. “This course allowed me to see fabulous athletes who have a warrior mentality and who have undeniable qualities. These are young athletes who have a certain future, if we continue to make them progress properly. I have faith in them for the future of Ivorian basketball,” continued Dejan.
The new Elephants coach was seduced by the quality of the work done by the players he saw at work during this period. Young girls and young boys who are willing and determined to defend the national colors during international events.
“At this pace, don’t be surprised to find 5 of these young people in the national team for the 2023 World Cup. This internship allowed me to have a global view of the potential of Ivorian basketball in view future selections. Because basketball in Côte d’Ivoire does not start and will not stop after the World Cup,” he concluded.
This regrouping, it should be remembered, is part of the setting up of local national teams A Men and A Ladies.
