Former WNBA champion Ticha Penicheiro is being hailed as a lasting inspiration for Portuguese sport, particularly for women, with a new documentary celebrating her trailblazing career.
Pedro Dias, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Sport, on Thursday described Penicheiro as “a reference” for her achievements. He emphasized the greater difficulties women faced in her era to reach such an elite level.
“Ticha is a reference at a time when it was much more difficult for women to reach the level she did,” Dias told the Lusa agency. “She did it naturally through her qualities, her passion for sport and, especially, for basketball. Above all, because she was a warrior and went after what she really wanted, which was to be happy playing basketball.”
Penicheiro, 51, notably won a WNBA championship in 2005. Her journey of overcoming challenges decades ago continues to resonate.
Dias further highlighted Penicheiro’s ongoing influence. “Ticha continues to inspire men and women,” he stated. “She was an excellent practitioner, one of the top 25 players in the world in the USA, where what is considered the best women’s league in the world [WNBA] is located, and that is very relevant.”
The film, titled ‘Feel the Magic: Ticha Penicheiro Against All Odds,’ was directed by André Braz. It premiered at the Convento do Beato in Lisbon.
This hour-and-a-half documentary closed the first day of the Tribeca Festival Lisbon, which runs through Saturday in the Portuguese capital.
Following the screening, attended by approximately 200 spectators, Penicheiro expressed her hope for the film. She aims for it to inspire future athletes.
“That is the goal for this film, because there are many girls who never had the opportunity to play in these leagues,” Penicheiro said. “I hope they watch the film and feel that fun, pride and, perhaps, that dream of knowing they can achieve what they want, as long as they are themselves, put in work, dedication and intensity, everything that is necessary to succeed here. They don’t even need to be professional basketball players.”