I met Belinda on Fonte Francês playground, where she often comes to play. She kindly accepted to talk about her passion for basketball. "Basketball is my life, is the only thing I really love so much, and if it depends on me, I will never stop playing! First I used to play at school, in physical education and in inter-class games. I liked it, but I wasn’t taking it seriously."

"I started playing seriously when I was 14 years old. It was in November 2015. One day that I had no physical education class, on my way back home, I passed across a place called Nhô Djunga - in Mindelo. I heard the sound of the ball, and I decided to go in. The coach Admilson (Sarda) was leading a training. I asked if I could train too, and he let me participe. I liked it so much that from that day, I never stopped playing. I play in a team, but... I also play everywhere it’s possible !"

"Two persons are inspiring me in basketball: Erivanio Baptista, a friend who is playing for the Real Sociedad team here in São Vicente. He helps me a lot! Before, I didn’t feel able to do many things, like shooting three points for exemple. It was him who made me believe in myself. He’s an amazing player, he is the best! And also Stephen Curry, because in my opinion, he is the best shooter in the NBA. I don't know, I just I really like him, and to watch him play."

"My dream is to be a professional player and be able to play in the WNBA. I’m a student here in Mindelo. I'm in 12th grade, and when I finish high school I want to do math, maybe be a math teacher or to work in a bank."

"My best memory? It was during my first real game. We were a new team, and we were losing 17-0. I made my first 3-pts. It was also the first points of my team. It was an amazing feeling!"

Thank you for sharing your passion Belinda!