BEIJING, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Ramses Lonlack, the leading figure of Cameroon women's basketball in recent years, is ready to return to the court after a two-year maternity break.
'Africa's Queen,' as Lonlack is affectionally known in basketball circles, said her new life as a mother is spurring her on to play for her country in the upcoming FIBA Women's AfroBasket Qualifiers.
The 31-year-old insists that she still has a lot to offer and with the help of her teammates, despite Cameroon's worst record in the FIBA Women's AfroBasket 2019 in Dakar, where she did not play a single match.
"I am not done yet with basketball," she told FIBA.basketball. "Cameroon needs me as a leader and I will be that leader."
She said in response to the support from her fans, who have been long waiting for her return, that she will fight like she always has, and having her daughter watch her play is another major source of motivation.
As the top scorer in the last three major international events, Lonlack aims to resume her basketball career stronger, and in better form, than ever.
The 1.74m (5ft 8in) guard said she has a plan in place, and is optimistic about her future with the Cameroon national team.
Following FIBA's latest ranking update in February 2020, Cameroon is currently ranked as Africa's seventh best team.
"The way Cameroon can return to the top is to get back to fundamentals and get ready for [international] competitions," said Lonlack, stressing that her team will be back to the top before she retires. Enditem
