Mother of Champions: Dr. Folashade Olukoya Celebrates MFM Queens’ Historic Basketball League Triumph
Following the thrilling climax of the Zenith Bank Women’s Basketball League, where MFM Basketball Club clinched the championship by defeating First Bank women basketball team in a dramatic way at the indoor hall of the National Stadium, Surulere on Saturday, an elated Dr. Folashade Olukoya is celebrating the monumental success of the team that bears her name and vision.
Mummy GO, as she’s fondly called by members of MFM, who is the wife of the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), Dr Daniel Olukoya, has been the silent driving force and mother figure behind the Shade Olukoya Queens, guiding them from a mere concept into a dominant force in Nigeria women basketball.
The journey to national glory began nine years ago. Driven by a passion to empower young women within the church and provide them with a platform to showcase their athletic talents, Dr. (Mrs) Folashade Olukoya reached out to MFM Director of Sports, Godwin Enakhena. Her mandate was clear: she wanted a sports team specifically for women in the church.
Enakhena immediately set to work, and in 2017, MFM women basketball team proudly named the Shade Olukoya Queens was officially born.
For Dr. Folashade Olukoya, having the team was never just about having her name on the jerseys; it was about genuine care and mentorship. Over the years, she has taken up the mantle of a mother to the players.
She is renowned for her unwavering welfare packages, frequently sending foodstuff to the camp and personally ensuring that the girls are comfortable and well taken care of.
The bond between the founder and her team goes far beyond the basketball court. For the players, visiting Dr. (Mrs) Folashade Olukoya is always a highly anticipated highlight of their season. These visits are characterized by joyous singing and dancing, reflecting the deep spiritual and emotional connection they share. To cap off these visits, she consistently blesses the team with financial gifts, ensuring the girls always leave her presence happy and motivated.
Dr. Folashade Olukoya is also a fierce competitor who knows how to motivate her team. Prior to their breakthrough first championship title in 2023, she issued a passionate challenge to the girls: go out there, win, and make me proud.
The Shade Olukoya Queens have clearly taken that mandate to heart. With their latest triumph in the 2026 championship, they have once again delivered on that promise, cementing MFM’s status as a powerhouse in Nigerian basketball and proving that Dr. Folashade Olukoya’s 2017 vision was a masterstroke of sports development.
Sedara Philip is a Sports writer, an administrator,Journalist,and editor
