Oumie Andrews, but, in sports cycles known as Okiki, is one of the best point guards in Gambian Female Basketball.
She brought her game face and executed it with precision and ferocity.
While in high school, she played on a star studded Gambian team that included the likes of Mam KumbaNdure, Aminata Sowe, Eli Eunson, Marie Louise Mendy, Haddy Sillah, Mai Savage, Olive Johnson, Edith Dolly Jones ,HaddyJaye, Njie Ceesay and Kathy Wadda.
This "67,000" team is probably the best ever assembled, and they had their share of wins against sub-regional teams, even though international exposure was quite minimal at the time.
Let’s go back to "Baby Ofreh" (a name she got in Mali) for a minute. Okiki was the fearless leader of that four year unbeaten St.Joseph's High School basketball team alongside her childhood friends, Kaddous and Michelle Pulo Joof, add two rising superstars at that time, Binta Daffeh and Elizabeth Neneh Bahoum; they sure were the idols of spectators.
Her crafty ball handling skills and speed were a lethal combination for any zone defence.
The way she pierced defensive setups was just a joy to watch.
Add the shot from long range; she was just unstoppable.
For many years, she represented Gambia in faraway lands sometimes in a Landover or a few days train ride, it never got to her, she was always the master motivator who brought in the positives into the locker room.
She was a founding member of Saints Basketball club, a team she led to many national titles save for when she jumped ship to join Wallidan, an unsettled beef between us.
She was a track star running the 800m and the shot put for which she was a silver medallist.
With all the gravitas that came with star power, this woman was as humble then as she is today.
By any yardstick, Okiki Andrews has always been a class act.
Today, she is about all that's good for her native Gambia.
Trust me, I was there covering her around that sub-region, then it was before today.
Her love for the country was always on display on and off the court. If anybody can say COGITO EGO SUM, it's Okiki Andrews, a star in everything she does.
It's an honour celebrating this legend in my series; history is certainly a path left by the past.
Kiks, thanks for your service to country, maybe soon, your many heroics for our country will be reverted to and the honour you deserve bestowed.
You represented your country with grace, integrity, and, of course, with that beautiful trade mark smile of yours. Before me and many, you are one of the greatest female athletes in our country's history. Thank you for the memories.
