BTN News: Lola Pendande, a prominent pÃvot in women’s basketball, has faced the challenge of being a black athlete in predominantly white spaces. Born in El Ejido, AlmerÃa in 2000, Pendande often questioned her place in the sport due to the lack of diversity around her. Growing up, her initial role models were found within her own family, who had emigrated from Guinea-Bisáu to Spain. Her mother, a significant influence, worked hard to provide her with opportunities she never had. Encouraged by her football-playing brothers, Pendande initially tried athletics, excelling as a sprinter. However, at 12, she discovered her true passion when a cousin invited her to a basketball practice with the local team, CD Roquetas. This marked the beginning of her journey in basketball, which she embraced as a means of integration and personal growth.
Today, Lola Pendande is seen as a rising star in the Spanish women’s national team and a beacon for young girls, particularly those of color, who might otherwise lack representation in sports. Reflecting on her experiences, Pendande emphasizes the importance of visible role models. “As girls, we need to see people with our skin color in positions of power to keep dreaming,” she shared with Cindy Lima, a former player and fellow pÃvot, in a recent videopodcast by LALIGA VS.
Cindy Lima, who played over 120 international games for Spain between 2007 and 2013, shares a similar background. With an Angolan father and Cuban mother, Lima understands the significant role sports play in offering necessary role models and aiding integration. “I see a lot of myself in you,” Lima told Pendande. As an ambassador for the SCORE project, Lima works with a consortium led by the Spanish Observatory of Racism and Xenophobia (OBERAXE) to combat discrimination through sports. She highlights the unifying power of sports, noting, “Sports humanize people, showing them with the same values and dreams.”
Both Lima and Pendande advocate for initiatives that tackle racism in and out of the sports arena. Lima remains optimistic about the future, a sentiment Pendande echoes. “Sports have always united people. It will significantly help future athletes, especially minorities, as everyone is involved: fans, managers, and role models like VinÃcius and Iñaki Williams,” Pendande remarked. She hopes that future generations of black female athletes will encounter a more inclusive environment. “In 20 years, there will be more black players. I hope they don’t go through what we did.”
Pendande’s journey from a young girl uncertain of her place to a role model in Spanish basketball underscores the transformative power of sports. Her story is a testament to resilience and the importance of representation, inspiring a new generation of athletes to pursue their dreams regardless of the barriers they may face.
