HARARE (Zimbabwe) - For Ingvild Mucauro, being in Zimbabwe for the Zone 6 U18 AfroBasket Qualifiers brought back fond memories of her teenage years when she played in a similar tournament.
Now grown and known for her surgical precision on the basketball court, whether playing for Mozambique or her club team, the Costa do Sol player, who is also a practicing medical doctor, found herself in Zimbabwe for her latter profession.
As first reported by the Mozambican media outlet Lance, Mucauro is in the Zimbabwean capital to oversee MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) at the Zone 6 U18 AfroBasket qualifiers.
The tournament features the host nation, Zimbabwe, as well as the 2022 U18 AfroBasket finalists, Madagascar and Namibia.
Although surprised to receive the invitation to travel to Zimbabwe, Mucauro told FIBA.basketball that a meeting with FIBA medical official Dr. Omega Edwards led to this opportunity to work in a different basketball role, which she feels prepared to take on.
"Last year I made contact with Dr Omega from FIBA, and I told him about my profession. So, when I got called, it was a bit of a surprise because it's something I wanted, but did not expect to happen so soon," said Mucauro, a three-time Women's Basketball League Africa winner (2024, 2019 and 2018) and 2019 tournament MVP.
"I love basketball, and to be involved in this way is very good. I am proud of myself, and that it also involves the sport I love. I also hope to inspire other that they can be involved in basketball in other ways."
Mucauro, who has played in five Women's AfroBasket tournaments, expanded on her role as a doctor at the qualifiers, explaining that she is at the tournament to help ensure that everything is above board regarding age testing.
"I am here to supervise the MRI's. As you players who are U16 and U18, there is usually a challenge in that age group, and I am here to supervise that the right players are tested and take the exams to FIBA for analysis," said Mucauro.
The shooting guard says the opportunity has also opened her eyes to other aspects of the medical field she could pursue in the future.
"When I first studied, I did not think about it. But throughout my career as a doctor and a player, things began to shift. I am now interested in being a medical doctor who is involved in sports because both (medicine and basketball) part of my life. So it's something I am starting to invest a little more in to be a sports medical doctor. I think it will be a great transition to do the two things that I love," said Mucauro.
Being at the qualifiers brought her back to 2008, when, as a 16-year-old, Mucauro represented her country in the Zone 6 qualifiers of the AfroBasket.
"It's a funny story. My tournament was here too. So it's coming back to where things started for me. It's almost 20 years since that time. I have been a doctor for 10 years now. As said, I hope my journey can inspire others and show that they can pursue education and sport," said Mucauro. "It's a nostalgic moment for me being here.
She went on to narrate the process of being part of Mozambique's U18 national team. Mucauro recalled a time she was brought to tears because she had left her parents in Chimoio to chase her basketball dream.
"When I came to the U18, I was 16. I remember the trip to Harare. I was in a car, I was a little girl, and I was crying because I was leaving my mom and dad at home, but I wanted to play basketball," said Mucauro. "This is for them. They insisted that I study and play basketball. My mom was a basketball player, and my dad always insisted that I put education first. So this is for them."
Finally, she paid homage to basketball and everything it has done for her.
"Basketball has been part of my life since I was a little girl. I love basketball. I never thought it would get me this far. Of course I had to sacrifice...I had to study and miss out on tournaments, but basketball has been here for me. It's not just a sport for me. It's therapy," said Mucauro. "It's done a lot for me as a player, and I am here (in Zimbabwe) because of it."
This is a new chapter in Mucauro's basketball journey.
FIBA