BASKETBALL – BAHRAIN’S women’s basketball star Aya Kamali is determined to make the most of her upcoming experience playing collegiate basketball in the US, which she describes as being “only the first chapter of [her] story”.
Aya has signed on to be a student-athlete at North Carolina-based Wingate University, which participates in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division Two sports as a member of the NCAA’s South Atlantic Conference.
The crafty and sweet-shooting 17-year-old can play both guard positions. She is a feisty competitor, and has helped the kingdom’s women’s national teams in both five-on-five and 3x3 basketball win multiple accolades.
She is now looking forward to playing an integral role with Wingate’s women’s basketball team as she fulfills a childhood dream.
“I honestly still can’t believe it’s real!” Aya told the GDN in an exclusive interview. “This has been my dream for as long as I can remember – playing NCAA basketball has always been a goal because I wanted to compete against the best players, challenge myself every day, and continue growing both on and off the court.
“There were so many moments where things didn’t go as planned – moments where I questioned myself, got tired, or felt like giving up – but I never let go of the dream. I kept showing up every day, trusting the process, and believing that if I stayed consistent, my opportunity would come.
“Now that it’s finally here, it’s hard to put into words. I’m incredibly grateful to my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who believed in me along the way. This isn’t just another commitment to me, it’s the result of years of sacrifices, early mornings, late nights, and choosing to keep going even when nobody was watching.
“I know this is only the beginning, and I’m excited to keep improving. I believe this is just the beginning of my journey. Committing to Wingate isn’t the finish line, it’s the start of an even bigger challenge.”
While Aya will be fully focused on facing the game’s best young talent on the hardwood, she will also be putting great importance on her work in the classroom.
“One of the things that attracted me to Wingate was the opportunity to grow both academically and athletically,” she explained. “As a student-athlete, I understand that being successful means excelling in both the classroom and on the court.
“Balancing basketball and academics won’t always be easy, but I’m ready for that challenge. I believe education is just as important as sports because it prepares you for life beyond basketball.”
Aya is also eager to maximise her experience and use it to continue her growth as a person.
“On a basketball level, this is everything I’ve worked toward, but on a personal level, it means even more,” she highlighted. “Basketball has shaped who I am – it has taught me discipline, resilience, patience, and how to handle failure.
“This journey has made me stronger – every obstacle taught me something, and every setback made me work even harder. Reaching this point reminds me that dreams really can come true if you’re willing to keep believing in yourself when things get difficult.”
Aya is relishing the chance to fly the kingdom’s flag in one of the biggest basketball markets in the world.
She has become only the second Bahraini women’s basketball player to sign for a US-based school, joining her national team backcourt partner Bayan Salman, who is a student-athlete at South Carolina-based Charleston Southern University in NCAA Division One’s Big South Conference.
“Representing Bahrain is something I’ll never take lightly, and I’ll do everything I can to make my country proud,” said Aya, who will be beginning her first term at Wingate at the end of August.
“It’s a responsibility that I carry with a lot of pride. Every time I step onto the court, I’m not only representing myself or my university, I’m representing my family, my coaches, everyone who helped me get here, and my country. I want people to see the determination, character, and work ethic that Bahraini athletes have.”
Aya is hoping that her journey helps motivate other youth in Bahrain and beyond to chase their dreams – no matter how difficult they may be to attain – and she shares a message of encouragement to never give up.
“I know young players back home will be watching, and I hope I can be someone who inspires them to dream bigger than they ever thought possible,” Aya said.
“When I first started playing, I wasn’t thinking about making history, I was simply chasing a dream that meant everything to me. Looking back now, realising that my journey has become part of Bahrain’s basketball history is incredibly emotional. I hope this shows every young athlete in Bahrain and across the GCC that dreams don’t have limits because of where you’re from.
“Talent exists everywhere, and with enough hard work, faith, and perseverance, doors can open.
“There will always be people who doubt you, moments where things don’t go your way, and times when success feels impossible. Keep working when no one is watching. Stay patient.
Stay true to your dream.
“Your journey won’t look like anyone else’s, and that’s okay. If you keep believing and refuse to give up, one day you’ll look back and realize that every sacrifice was worth it.
“This is only the first chapter of my story, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Aya was received this week by Bahrain Basketball Association (BBA) president Engineer Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who congratulated her on her upcoming stint with Wingate. Aya was accompanied in the meeting by her father Murtadha Mohamed, who is Bahrain’s 3x3 basketball national team head coach, while BBA secretary general Abed Al Ansari was also in attendance.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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