The worst enemy for any athlete is Injuries. No player loves the sight of medical staff in the treatment room and let alone the rehabilitation journey. Whereas minor injuries can mean a quick recovery, more serious ones come with concerns and at times career threatening.
One of this season’s accomplished players Naome Nagadya has a testimony to this kind of life. The She Corporate FC midfielder had to take a three year sabbatical due to a persistent knee injury that bothered her for long spells until she sought for treatment.
Not so many players regain their form after recovering from such injuries but Nagadya has been able to defy odds and become one of the key players for her club.
She Corporate FC currently leads the FUFA Women Super League table this season. She could be on a path to help her team lift their first ever league title.
FUFA Media had a one on one chat with the creative midfielder (referred to as NN in the interview) and below is the excerpt.
FUFA Media: You got back to playing football after three years out, first of all how do you feel that you have been able to return?
NN: I am really happy that after almost three years, I was able to get back to playing football again. It is my passion and I felt I could still offer something to the game. I am really enjoying myself again and hoping for even better outings.
FUFA Media: What had forced you into retirement at a very young age?
NN: I had a recurring knee injury that kept disturbing me. I was always on and off. It made it so difficult for me to even kick a ball with ease. I could not play well. I could hardly play any football. I took a decision to rest from the game on the advice of medical personnel after getting treatment. The long helped me to recover fully and that is how I was able to return at the start of this season. It was a painful process but I am happy to be back and playing again.
FUFA Media: What compelled you to return and how easy or hard has it been for you to get back?
NN: I will say the passion for the game. Some people thought I had retired but the love for football compelled me to get back and when I felt my body could still carry on, I kept believing that I would return one day after overcoming my injury concerns.
FUFA Media: You featured for She Corporate before temporarily quitting and now back on the same team. Did management talk to you or you approached them and how easy was it for you to rejoin?
NN: She Corporate is my home and like the old saying goes, East or West home is the best. I did not look at any other options when I felt like playing again. I talked to the Club management and they were willing to have me back. I was given a warm reception. I appreciate the Club President Richard Kawere and the CEO Mathias Kakulu for welcoming me back to the team.
FUFA Media: How were you able to get back to shape and be fit again after a long spell out without playing?
NN: Towards the end of my recovery process, I made personal efforts to train and get in good shape. I would wake up early in the morning to do road work and later hit the gym since I had put on weight. This happened for almost three months and that is how I was able to get my body in perfect condition.
FUFA Media: You got back to the team and it is performing well. What have been the push factors for this tremendous performance?
NN: The biggest factor has been hard work. We have really worked hard to reach this level. Everyone on the team from management, technical staff and the players pull strings together to make sure we achieve our target which is winning the title this season. Additionally, teamwork, commitment and discipline have helped us a lot.
FUFA Media: On an individual level, you have been excelling and arguably one of the best midfielders this season. What has helped you to settle in easily?
NN: I first of all thank my coaches Hassan Issa, Ronald Ojurong and Ibrahim Kibumba who have been able to get me back to playing well. They know my strength and deploy me in the position I feel comfortable. My teammates too have been helpful. Regardless of who I play alongside in the midfield, we have a good cohesion that has enabled us to overcome our opponents.
FUFA Media: You were named captain of the team at the start of the season, has this driven you to work harder and have responsibility on your shoulders as a leader?
NN: Yes, it is. Being a captain means you must be exemplary to the rest of the players. You must play at your best to help the team win and indeed it has molded me into a better player.
FUFA Media: If She Corporate FC wins the league this season, would that be satisfying that you have helped the team to their first silverware in FUFA Competitions?
NN: Absolutely, because I was part of the team at its inception and we came close to winning the League in 2016 only to lose in the final. We also reached the final of the FUFA Women Super Cup the following year but still lost. I would be glad if we won this year’s League title which will be the first in our history.
FUFA Media: Now that you are back, do you have plans and ambitions of getting back to the National Team with the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations around the corner?
NN: It is one of my targets. I have previously played on the National Team and I believe if I keep working hard and impressing the coaches, I can bounce back. However the coaches have the final say on the kind of squad they need for the National team.
Naome Nagadya at a glance
Name: Naome Nagadya
Nickname: Midfield General
Shirt number: 6
Position: Central Midfielder
Attributes: Passing and Shooting
Date of Birth: 5th, May 1996
Current Club: She Corporate FC
Schools Attended:
Primary: Family Primary School, Kasubi (2002-2008)
Secondary: Masaka SS (2009-2014)
