Bravegearts BC

MADILITSO Kadiwa has been with Bravehearts since the club’s inception. In those early days, pain and struggle were the order of the day as Bravehearts were establishing themselves on the court. As club captain, Kadiwa has led Bravehearts through a time of prosperity. Since 2018, the 38-year-old has won four national championships, turning Bravehearts into giants of the game.

After his long service to the 10-year-old club, which became the first from his country to make the Elite 16 of the Road to BAL last year under his leadership on the court, Kadiwa will hang up his sneakers this season.

Kadiwa expressed contentment with his legacy with Bravehearts and what the club has become.

“It has meant so much. When Bravehearts started, we could only dream about what the club could be. Of course, we wanted it to be big and break boundaries, like competing in international tournaments,” said Kadiwa. “So I am pretty happy with how my basketball career turned out with the Bravehearts… and to now see where the club is.”

As a Bravehearts player, three things shaped his career: “Discipline, hard work and passion for the game,” said Kadiwa.

Before Kadiwa calls time on his career, he will lead the club to another Road to BAL mission. After Bravehearts’ historic qualification for the Elite 16 in Kenya last year, eyes will be on them and how they fare this year.

He says the club’s recent Brave Hearts International Challenge (BIBC), where they lost in the final to Zambia’s Munali Suns, was a good measuring stick. There they also faced Zimbabwe’s Basket Hounds and Zambia’s Matero Magic, two teams that will also head to the Road to BAL, which takes place later this month.

“We had the BIBC, and it showed us where we are lacking. Our coaches have also discussed areas that need improvement. We will need a couple of friendlies so that we can come in match fit and improve our chances of going back to the Elite 16,” said Kadiwa.

While the qualification for the Elite 16 was impressive, Kadiwa says they are hungry to go further, and their ultimate goal, while ambitious, is to make the BAL.

“When we made it out (of the preliminary phase in Zimbabwe last year) and qualified for the Elite 16, it painted a clear picture that we can go far,” said Kadiwa. “We can qualify if we prepare well. I am sure everyone is ready and they feel we can take the club to the next level. Not just the Elite 16, but to another level.”

Kadiwa is optimistic about his immediate playing future for the Bravehearts, but he is also preparing for his next move after his playing days.

Coaching is his next stop. During the BIBC tournament, Kadiwa attended a course facilitated by FIBA instructor Ronnie Owino.

“Given what Bravehearts has done for me, I want to give back. I took the opportunity to do a coaching course led by Coach Owino from Kenya. It is a Level One and Two course that focuses on youth development,” said Kadiwa. “Bravehearts have a couple of youth teams, and I want to be involved in those programs.”

Bravehearts club owner and coach Griffin Kalua describes Kadiwa as the heart and soul of the club. “There would not be Bravehearts without Montana. That is what we call him. Montana. He has been a leader on and off the court. He has gone to war for us even when he was injured,” said Kalua.

While Kadiwa has stated his intention to call time on his career, Kalua feels he still has a few more years in him. “He is in his late 30s, but he still suits up and outperforms the young ones. I don’t think he will retire anytime soon,” Kalua said with a light chuckle. “He is another Lebron. I don’t know what will happen the day that he stops wearing the Bravehearts jersey. It will be a sad day for us as we are used to having him on the team.”

Kalua does hope Kadiwa will still be a part of the club when he calls it a day. “I hope he can remain part of the team when he stops playing. We would want him to come and coach the youngsters.”

The curtain is still far from closing on Kadiwa’s glittering and fulfilling career. The hope is that he bows out having led the team to qualification for the BAL. It would be a great exclamation to his undying commitment to Bravehearts.