Former Olympic basketball player Nadezhda Grishaeva joins Falcons Heights academy
Grishaeva brings extensive experience and a passion for mentoring young athletes
Dubai: Nadezhda Grishaeva, a celebrated former professional basketball player known for her career with Dynamo Moscow, Besiktas, and Arras, as well as her participation in the 2012 London Olympics, has joined Falcons Heights Basketball Academy in the UAE as an associate partner. Her extensive experience promises to enrich the academy's programs.
"I am delighted to have Nadezhda Grishaeva join our team," said Moshood Abolaji Damilare, founder of Falcons Heights. "Her remarkable achievements in basketball, coupled with her inspiring personality, bring invaluable assets to our academy. I am confident she will play a pivotal role in advancing basketball in the UAE."
Established in 2016, Falcons Heights has already set up basketball courts across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Al Ain. With plans to expand to 16 locations by 2026, it aims to become the UAE's largest basketball training institution.
Since retiring in 2016, Grishaeva pursued an economics degree specializing in sports management and engaged in diverse sectors, including developing fitness projects and collaborating as a basketball agent with Sports International Group (USA). "The Middle East holds immense basketball potential," Grishaeva observed. "Joining Falcons Heights is a significant step in my post-playing career. I am passionate about nurturing young talent and contributing to the sport."
Currently working towards a coaching license, Grishaeva eagerly anticipates returning to the court. "Basketball has always been my life. Competing in the Olympics was a career highlight, and now, I aim to foster the sport's growth and inspire the next generation," she emphasized.
Grishaeva and Damilare share a vision to expand opportunities for young players at Falcons Heights. "Many aspiring players here dream of opportunities in the US, where growth prospects are exceptional. Part of my role is to assist them in gaining admission to reputable US schools and colleges," Grishaeva mentioned.
From her early days as an intern in the US to her tenure with top European clubs and the Olympics, Grishaeva's journey equips her with the skills to propel Falcons Heights forward and ensure its success.