IAN Limbe has a tough balancing act in his life. Limbe, a professional basketball player pursuing the highest educational qualification, balances both, hoping they can ultimately lead to a fulfilling life.
Speaking to The Big Tip Off ahead of the Road to BAL 2027, the Malawian point guard reflected on his inspiring educational journey and the hurdles of chasing the ultimate dream in African club basketball.
From their first Road to BAL together, Limbe says he and Malawian super club Brave Hearts have accumulated enduring lessons. Each year, each qualifying tournament became a character-building exercise for Limbe and the Lilongwe-based club.
Later, those humbling losses turned into wins and progress to the next stage. Since then, Limbe and Brave Hearts have been coming to terms with a level of continental basketball they had never faced, and a new way of thinking about how to improve, leading them to make it to the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL in 2024.
“In our first Road to BAL in Dar es Salaam, we did not manage to win a game. I think going into the qualifiers in Harare (in 2024), we played more international games. It was more about the confidence, because when you have not played there before, you think, ‘this guy is good, and you are not at their level and things like that’,” said Limbe. “But as I played more international games, I gained more confidence, and I realised, ‘No, we are not less skilled; we are just less exposed, so after 2021 in Tanzania we played more international games to get a feel for things and not be caught by surprise.
“Even going into this year’s Road to BAL, we have played games in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and even the international tournament in Malawi. So those types of games give us the confidence to say, ‘We are ready for this thing; we are made for this thing’.”
Limbe stressed the matter of confidence further: “So for me it gave me the confidence to believe in myself. To say, ‘I can do it at this higher level’. It doesn’t take so much; it only takes believing in yourself and being able to execute what you can.”
Just as he learnt the ropes under the watchful eye of veteran players like Madalitso Kadiwa, Limbe is now a torch-bearer, paying it forward by mentoring back court partner Faad Billy and teenager Vincent Masiyano.
“It’s been great. I would say we are more like brothers because we have played together for close to a decade. For us, it’s more than basketball; it’s a family,” said Limbe. “Every time you step on the court, you play for your brother. For players like Vincent and Faad, we have watched them grow. We have pushed them. I remember when Faad was growing; I coached him at this academy. These are guys we saw growing and growing within a system. So it’s not a hard thing to play with them.
“Myself, I grew up watching Montana (Kadiwa)… Admiring what (he) does. So it’s pretty much Montana passing down the torch to us and us passing it down to the young ones.”
As Bravehearts prepare for a fourth Road to BAL appearance, Limbe hopes he and the current crop of Bravehearts players can build on the consistency they showed in 2024 in Zimbabwe. In that qualifying season, a short-handed Bravehearts achieved a first for basketball in Malawi. They qualified for the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL with a 3-2 win record.
In last year’s tournament, Bravehearts secured another ticket to the Elite 16, but with a reversal in record (2-3).
While they have scaled one mountain, Bravehearts have had to start from zero, meaning they have to win games, something they haven’t done since progressing to the Elite 16.
Limbe hopes he and his teammates will show growth and the operative word: confidence, as they also dream of bigger achievements on the court. But first, they have to navigate the first step, which is the regional qualifiers starting on Friday in Zambia.
“My expectations are very straightforward and intentional. I want to qualify for the Elite 16, but we have been there twice and never won a game,” said Limbe. “I want to win a game. Qualifying for the BAL would be the next step, but I want to win a game first. Then a second one; it’s a step-by-step process. We have already conquered one part. After that, what else?
“We need to show that we belong here. We need to win a game and then the next one. “
Limbe, who is based in South Africa, continued: “For me, it’s an intentional thing. I want to take Malawi basketball as far as possible. So, I want to go beyond the Elite 16.”
The Dream of a Doctorate
While he’s been a student of the game over the years, Limbe is also chasing something greater in the classroom: his PhD in Physiology.
It’s no child’s play. Earning a PhD requires dedicated hours of research. That, added to a demanding basketball schedule, raises the question: how does Limbe, who is studying at Wits University, balance his academic research and playing career?
“I won’t lie to you. It’s definitely not easy trying to juggle basketball and research. It’s not easy. I won’t lie,” said Limbe of his tough act. “I have a tunnel vision: ‘this is what I wanna do’. I understand why I am here and put in the work that I need to. It also helps that the coaches understand as well when I miss practice because of academics. But it’s not easy when I need to commit to these professional teams.”
When probed about his inspiration for pursuing his PhD, his response was as clear as a crisp precision pass to a teammate to score a bucket. For him, it was a calling, not only for self-development, but also to serve in a classroom setting post his qualification.
“After my undergraduate degree, I pretty much knew that this is the path I want to take. I love research and I love lecturing,”
Limbe hopes to graduate with his PhD next year, and with that in mind, he will have some hard choices to make about his future, as he is passionate about the game and still has a lot more playing years ahead of him. On the other hand, he loves his studies and sees a future for himself in the field.
Asked about where he is leaning toward, he said: “That’s a tough question. When I think about it, I want to be in a space where I can play professional basketball. I know I have a few years left in me at that level to compete. It can be here in Africa,” said Limbe. “I am leaning towards a space where I can play basketball professionally, but it doesn’t mean I can’t combine research and basketball. I know it’s hard, and maybe a few guys have done it. Maybe I get a research opportunity in Europe, and I get an opportunity to play. That’s how I look at it.
“I want to be in a space where I can do my research and play professionally. That’s the space I want to be in and hopefully that chance will come around.”
On the court and in the classroom, Limbe is clear about his goals; he knows the attitude required to achieve the success he desires. While luck may be needed to reach his ultimate dream, Limbe’s determination to make it work is undoubted.
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1 Comment
I think Ian can carry the team through. With Gid all things are possible. Malawi basketball has developed well and we have coaches who are passionate about the game.
I also feel Africa needs more exposure, for clubs to participate in tournaments in Europe and the US. That should be either FIBA or NBA African projects. Otherwise we don’t mind entertaining China clubs because they are also on a development path like Africa. We appreciate these tournaments but please pump more money into the game to change these player’s futures.
At this level let’s look at injuries as well, when a player is injured at such tournaments it’s all up to the player no one will care what will happen after. Some injuries can be life changing without proper treatment. So I suggest something should be done.
All the best Brave Hearts
JESUS FOR ALL