For Kadidia Maiga, being named Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Most Valuable Player (MVP) is more than another individual accolade. It is the latest reward in a journey shaped by hard work, rehabilitation and setbacks that could have derailed her basketball career.

The Malian forward helped REG Women BBC retain the national championship on Wednesday, August 26, averaging about 15 points and 11 rebounds per game during the playoffs.

But behind those numbers is a difficult story of pain, recovery and persistence.

"I come from a long injury. I had surgery on my knee last year,” Maiga said. "There were rehabilitation sessions, training and moments of pain. A lot of things happened.”

Maiga revealed that she has undergone three surgeries in three years, making her latest achievement even more meaningful.

"When you win trophies at the end, you forget all the suffering that happened before,” she said.

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The work before the playoffs

Maiga believes her playoff performances were built long before the postseason began. She maintained morning training sessions and worked on her physical conditioning to ensure she would be ready to contribute when the crucial games arrived.

"It’s not only during the playoffs that I have to be at 100 per cent. I have to work before. The work I did before the playoffs helped me reach a level where I could help the team progress,” she explained.

The semi-finals were particularly demanding, with little time to recover between games. REG often had just one day between matches, while also attending video sessions and tactical preparations.

One game that remains particularly memorable for Maiga was REG’s second playoff meeting with APR, which they lost by a single point.

"It was a game we could have won, but losing by one point taught us important lessons,” she said.

Instead of dwelling on the defeat, REG used it as motivation. The players communicated, reviewed the game and made the necessary adjustments.

"Since last year, I have known most of the girls, including Odile, Faustine and Irakoze Nelly. They know my strengths, my weaknesses and everything about my game. Talking to each other and communicating helped push us forward.”

She also credited the arrival of fellow Malian Sandra Kantore with strengthening REG’s interior game. The team responded by winning the third game by 11 points.

More than an individual award

For Maiga, the MVP award is also a reflection of the contribution made by her teammates.

"Every time after the season, having something that recognises your work means a lot to me. But it cannot happen without your teammates,” she said.

Her attention now turns to the remainder of the season. She remains under contract with REG until December and expects the team to compete in the Rwanda Cup before targeting Zone Five qualification for the African club championship.

While she hopes to reach greater heights in her career, Maiga prefers to focus on the opportunities immediately ahead.

"As athletes, we all want to go further and reach the highest level. But for now, I focus on what I have in front of me,” she said.

A call for greater visibility

After more than a year in Rwanda, Maiga believes women’s basketball still needs greater visibility and support.

She praised Rwanda as a country and said she has enjoyed her experience, but noted that women’s games attract fewer spectators than men’s games.

"When the women play, there are not many people. There are only families and people from basketball. We need more visibility and more work to make the women’s championship more valued, also for the future of the national team,” she said.

For young girls dreaming of becoming professional basketball players, her message is simple: believe, work hard and remain disciplined.

"You always have to believe and always keep working. The path of an athlete is long. Success takes time, and discipline is important both on and off the court,” she said.

For Maiga, professionalism starts in the mind. Taking care of the body, getting enough sleep, eating properly and working with individual coaches are all part of building a long and successful career.

After three surgeries, rehabilitation and difficult moments, her latest MVP award is another reminder that perseverance can turn setbacks into success.