Dubai International Academy continually stakes its claim as one of the top basketball schools in the region. Haven’t recently won the DASSA Senior Basketball Virtual Challenge, we chatted to the three members of the team that took out the victory.
Samuel Korpinen, 16
How great did it feel to win the DASSA Challenge which saw so many schools take part?
Winning the challenge gave me a big sense of accomplishment, mainly due to the amount of trials and redos we had to make throughout the process.
You worked hard to improve your score and move into first place. What motivated you to keep trying?
What motivated me the most was the idea that all of our trials and attempts should actually be worth something in the end. If we were to have given up on our second attempt, when we thought we were in the lead, we wouldn’t have even come close to the winning score we had now.
What are your proudest achievements in basketball or sport in general?
One of my proudest moments in basketball by far was winning the Word School Games in Abu Dhabi with the U18 DIA team. For most of my time playing basketball, I had only ever taken part in friendly games and minor leagues, but the World School Games victory was a huge achievement for the team (especially for me).
What are you looking forward to when DASSA basketball competition returns?
What I’m looking forward the most is getting the DIA team back together after a long break. The last time the wolves played together properly was back in December 2019. Coming back together should allow us to ‘redevelop’ our team play skills.
Shaheer Rehan, 16
How great did it feel to win the DASSA Challenge which saw so many schools take part?
It was an honor to take part in the event and to win it was surreal. There were many schools with very good shooters and high scores, so to win this competition is very good.
You worked hard to improve your score and move into first place. What motivated you to keep trying?
I was motivated by my teammates and their desire to win. Their passion and drive for the game is unmatched.
What are your proudest achievements in basketball or sport in general?
My proudest achievement in basketball would be when I was fortunate enough to be part of the U17 team that was able to win the Word School Games.
What are you looking forward to when DASSA basketball competition returns?
I’m looking forward to work with my teammates, especially new teammates. I feel that we have a strong players this year and I would love to have the opportunity to work with them.
Kazi Sta. Maria, 15
How great did it feel to win the DASSA Challenge which saw so many schools take part?
I felt great that we won the DASSA challenge because we were able to compete against schools across Dubai and win.
You worked hard to improve your score and move into first place. What motivated you to keep trying?
I feel as though what pushed me to try harder was that in the beginning of the challenge there were schools who had high and exceptional scores and I feel as though that pushed me to try harder and beat their scores.
What are your proudest achievements in basketball or sport in general?
My proudest achievement in basketball so far is earning a chance to participate in the FIBA games.
What are you looking forward to when DASSA basketball competition returns?
I am 100 per cent looking forward to the return DASSA’s basketball competition and can’t wait to play against other schools.