Basketball in Africa

Even with some delay, we are now able to supply the Final Standings of the 'Greater Accra Men's Basketball League 2009', ended some months ago with the win of Braves of CEPS, that ended the season unbeaten. The table is as follows:
club record points
1. CEPS 11-0 22
2. CC Hoops 10-1 21
3. Police 9-2 20
4. Tema Youth 8-3 19
5. Reformers 7-4 17
6. Yotive 5-6 15
7. Holy Family 4-7 15
8. Panthers 6-5 14
9. Wizards 3-8 14
10. Fire Service 1-10 11
11. Dynamics 1-10 11
12. St.Joseph's 0-11 10

Tanta added to their roster 28-year old American forward Kevin Jolley (197-F-82, college: Quinnipiac, agency: Prossin Sports Management). Jolley played most recently at Hottur (Iceland). While playing 15 games for Sampaense/Tec.Coimbra his stats were: 6.4ppg, 2.1apg, 2FGP: 52.0%, 3PT: 43.0%, FT: 76.0%, left team in Jan.'09
in his 2007-2008 season he spend it moving from Europe to Lebanon to Jordan where he played 10 games at Cv.Aliana Sangalhos (Proliga) and averaged 23.0ppg, 10.2rpg, 1.8apg, 2FGP: 54.0%, 3PT: 41.0%, FT: 73.0%, then Dec.07 moved to Champville (Lebanon-Div.A) where he played 11 games and averaged 15.2ppg, 10.4rpg, FG: 52.0%, 3pts: 10.0%, FT: 68.0%, released in March'08 but he was awarded: Asia-Basket.com All-Lebanese League Honorable Mention, the same month signed at Arena Amman (Jordan-Excellent League) where he managed to collect: Jordanian League Semifinals -08 and Jordanian Cup Semifinals -08
By Eurobasket Data Center

TROOPERS
Name Pos Nationality
Ratanang Tsayang G Botswana
Mothusi Phokoje F Botswana
Michael Banda G/F Zimbabwe
David Gaborone F Botswana
Mbaki Pitso G Botswana
Raymond Madzudzo F Zimbabwe
Mufaro Moyo G Zimbabwe
Philani Ncube F Zimbabwe
Basimane Tau G Botswana
M. Moilwa F Botswana
M. Linda G Zimbabwe
Percy G Botswana
Gaamangwe G Botswana
Gift Nyamana F Zimbabwe
Sechaba Sechaba G Botswana

SPARTANS

Name Pos Nationality
Mothusi Thipe G Bot
Sylvester Noke G Bot
Clive Phiri F Zim
Peter Ubakar F Nig
Pavle G
Robert G Bot
Kealeboga G Bot
Roy Sikwila G Zim
Tom Sikwila G Zim
M. Sikwila F Zim

BDF V

Name Pos Nationality
Bashe J G Botswana
Thapisa B G Botswana
Machibe G G Botswana
Sedumedi S G Botswana
Makwate O F Botswana
Mododo G F Botswana
Masasa O F Botswana
Mbise T F Botswana
Baekwe B.M G Botswana
Mphato I F Botswana
Mbulawa F G Botswana

Coach Pifelo P.S

This week Voice Star shone the spotlight on basketball and found a young up and coming star in Spartans' and University of Botswana player, Robert Bendo Mosalakatane who hails from Kanye in the Southern district. He will also captain the Gaborone district team in the Gaborone games starting on 14 December. He was born into a sporting family as his brother and sister played tennis. Mosalakatane is just 18 years old and already doing his first year at university in Architecture. He spoke to MOJAKI MONNAKGOTLA while still celebrating a gold medal he clinched with his UB team in the just ended BOTESSA college games.

How did your career in basketball begin?
I was introduced to the sport while doing standard six by my teacher, Mr Sibanda. I then went to Delta Waters where there was no basketball until when doing form two and a new court was built. That is back in 2006 when I played forward and led the school team to a silver medal in the BISA games. In 2007 I moved to Legae Academy where I was part of the school team and this time played as a guard, a position that everyone has to play in the basketball field. We got a silver medal at the ISSA competitions held in Francistown and I was also chosen the Most Valuable Player. I have also played for the national under 17, 18 and 20 and have a bronze medal from the COSSASA games. Last year I tasted my first sport allowance from Botswana National Sports Council. I have also been part of Spartans team from 2007 where I have played as a point guard. Gym Active sponsors us, so we train in a semi indoor facility.

Some people associate basketball with a certain class of the society, how can you best describe it?
I think African Americans started it but the whites can also play it nowadays. Everyone can play the sport even the so-called 'Manyora'. People always speak slang and greet us in an American accent but I normally respond in good Setswana like 'Dumela rra'.

What is your dream as an individual and part of Spartans team?
I honestly want to play professional ball and probably overseas. I also have an architectural career to think about. I will dedicate my entire playing career to the Spartans team. Mostly Franklin Johnson from Cuba has coached me among many. At Legae Academy James Kalebwe was the man; at Spartans the likes of Hubert Bhebhe, Roy Sikwila and in the Gaborone team Bruce Nkala coaches me where I am also the teams captain.

Has anybody from the national team talked to you about your future with the sport?
I have been part of the junior teams. I guess that is a statement on its own but the Technical Director, Mothusi Thipe sees potential in us as youth so I just have to be patient and I will get there.

What will you say your role at Spartans is and are you happy with it?
I am like a playmaker, my role is to control the tempo of the game. That however depends on how we want to play our game and our opponents. If we play a vulnerable team we play quick and hard; we become just too fast. If we play a good team we change the strategy and that's where I come in.

Are you happy with the quality of courts in the country and how do you think they can be improved?
I enjoy playing at the University of Botswana courts, the SSKB courts are also not bad but I have to admit that there are many courts in South Africa, which give one a good choice. I can say we still need to improve our courts though and there is need to also cater for the spectators.

How does one become a superstar and or a good player in this game?
I am not yet there but from what I have learnt one has to really train hard as they say practice makes perfect. If I am not at school I normally do 200 shots per day alone and if you get an opportunity as a player you must utilise it fully.

Do you think players in Botswana are giving their all in basketball?
In Botswana football is the most popular sport and people tend not to enjoy basketball mainly because the media has neglected it. There is need to sensitize fans and drum support for the sport. I however have to point out that this sport is very entertaining, the problem is people don't understand it and there is reluctance to support us in turn.

What really motivates you to get up and go to training every day without complaining?
The thought of wanting to play at professional level keeps me going. My friends also push me to go all the way. I have a training partner Gentleman Fisher and we are also team-mates so we always push each other and it has so far helped us.

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor facilities and explain why?
I would have to go with indoor because there are no weather disruptions. This past Saturday we had games postponed because of weather. I also like the wood surface that is in a lot of indoor facilities. I think it is the best as it is also used in professional courts.

How do you prepare for crucial games as an individual?
If we play in the evening I go and do my shooting in the morning. An hour before the game I like listening to music and relaxing but I have to point out that to me every game is important and I play like it is the last game giving my best.

Lastly who do you think is the best basketball player?
Personally I have had my games against a lot of players around and I will go for Mothusi Thipe. He also happens to be one of my role models in the game. I love this game and want to be one of the best.

from africabasket.com

Troopers retained the national basketball title over the weekend after garnering an unassailable 30 to top the league standings ahead of Spartans and Police V.
Spartans finished second 28 points, two better than Police V. It was not easy sailing for Troopers as Police V held the top spot for the better part of the season, only to falter during the last games. The policemen finished the first round unbeaten but stumbled towards the end of the campaign as Troopers gained momentum to clinch the title.
Troopers have been in fine form since winning the mid-season basketball tournament losing only once in the second round. The champions have been the dominant force in local basketball. They went into the final two games against Thebe Eagles and BDF V needing at least three points to clinch the title. They got what they wanted in a narrow 69-64 win over Eagles. By the time they lost 76-95 to BDF V, their first defeat in the second round, they had already wrapped up the title. Spartans finished their games the previous weekend and they hoped to clinch the title if Troopers lose to Eagles and BDF V.
The top four teams will now play in the championship this coming weekend. Troopers will play fourth-placed BDF V while second-placed Spartans will lock horns with Police V in a 'best of three' games format.
Story courtesy of Mmegi newspaper

By Brown Msyani

Don Bosco Lioness and ABC played brilliantly to claim massive wins in the Regional Basketball League (RBA) matches held over the weekend at the National Indoor Stadium, Dar es Salaam.
Experienced DB Lioness defeated league debutants Vijana Queens 88-28while ABC had to sweat to beat newly promoted Chang�ombe United 62-54 in the second match held at the same venue.
Lioness determination to win the encounter began to yield fruits right from the start, claiming 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The winners extended their lead to 34-5 at the half time.
The winners added 30 points in the third quarter while restricting Vijana to 15- point gain at the stage.
Lioness finished their victory campaign with 24 points at the final quarter compared to 8 points penned by their opponents.
Jasmin Babla who fired 23 points was the match's top scorer followed by her team mate Orlyn Titus who carded 20 points .
Vijana's Yasmin Nagib who played impressively in all quarters scored 9 points while her team mate Johari Kaseko posted 6 points.

ABC outshined Chang'ombe United with hard-earned 62-54 win in a thrilling encounter held at the same venue on Sunday.
Chang'ombe United who finished the first quarter leading 19-15, lost steam in the second quarter to allow ABC claim 29-27 lead at the end of the first half.
Gilbert Batungi who fired home 21 points for the winner, was the top scorer of the match followed by Zwalo Makani of Chang'ombe United who penned 19 points.

Holders JKT also won impressively on Sunday by beating Mgulani JKT 78-59.
JKT were leading 46-23 until the breather. Juma Kissocky Himid Choka and Frank Simkoko were the stars of the match.

By Erick Ochieng’

After narrowly missing out in the men’s National Basketball Classic League last year, International Christian Centre (ICC) hope to bounce back to the limelight and carry the country’s flag at the regional basketball tournament.

Though the team ruled the men’s Premier League standings for the better part of last year, they were surprisingly relegated to the third and fourth place play-offs.

ICC coach Fred Omondi is a man on a mission of to wrestling the devil that has stood between them and the coveted trophy they used to easily win earlier.
The team boasts of five players; Bernard Ogolla, Moses Shida, Mike Tanui, Janelson Njau and Griffin Ligare, all who play in the national basketball team.
Most players who turn out for the men and women’s clubs under ICC left for other clubs in 2001 when the club was still known as National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The men and women’s clubs were therefore disbanded following a change of management at NSSF.
"We unsuccessfully sought support from across the board and players left for other teams. It was only at the last minute when the church came to our rescue, but they only supported the men’s team," said Omondi.

Team died

The women’s team died a natural death, while the men’s team changed names from NSSF to ICC.
ICC emerged runners-up in the African Championships in Kigali later in 2001.
In 2004, they were relegated to the men’s Division One League, which they eventually won in 2005 and returned to the Men’s Premier League in 2006.
In 2007, ICC emerged fifth in the Premier League after narrowly missing out in the final play-offs. The team suffered another blow in 2008 when players made another exodus, prompting the coach to recruit afresh, mainly from universities and colleges.

The team enjoyed top form last year until the last minute in the play-offs, which were won by champions Kenya Commercial Bank.

Omondi insists ICC will bounce back to win the Premier League and represent Kenya at the regional championship.

NAIROBI (Africa championships) - Africa championshipsLike Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Co-operative Bank of Kenya went to the Fiba Africa club championships as Zone Five winners but they will never cherish those memories at all now and in the future.

KPA women's team traveled to Cotonou, Benin for the 15th FIBA Africa club championships while Co-op went to Kigali, Rwanda for the 24th edition. They learnt the hard way that these championships are not for the ill prepared.

The results from these two tournaments were more or less the same which poses some hard questions about the performance of Kenyan teams at the continental podium.
Both teams got off to a flying start winning their opening matches. KPA with a huge 74-34 thumping of home girls Energie while Co-op squeezed a narrow 71-70 against Warriors of Uganda.

After that the mountain then became too steep to climb for the two Kenyan representatives.KPA and Co-op then played meek losing all their their preliminary round matches.
KPA got off their campaign to a fine start whipping home girls Energie 72-32. Co-op had to squeeze a narrow 71-70 win over Warriors of Uganda, a team they easily handled in the Kampala qualifiers.
KPA were downed 51-66 by Desportivo (Mozambique), 84-29 by eventual winners First Bank (Nigeria), 40-63 to ABC (Ivory Coast), 47-54 to Apolitecnica (Mozambique), 43-48 to CSA (Ivory Coast) and 50-65 to Deepwater (Nigeria).

Back to Co-op who did their best but still lost 75-83 to Inter of Congo, went down hard 79-49 to Aspac of Benin and were whipped 110-54 by reigning champions Primiero d'Agosto.
The similarity did not end there. The two teams sneaked to the quarter finals by wining one game, thanks mainly to the teams that failed to show up in Cotonu and Kigali event respectively.

That dubious distinction of reaching the last eight was quickly rendered useless as the two giants fell like nine pins bringing their club championship ambitions to a sad end.
KPA suffered a 51-66 loss at the hands of then champions Desportivo while Co-op were handed a thorough beating as Agosto showed them who were kings in that humiliating 106-56 loss.
From there it was the classification- the losers finals- and here they did not perform any better. KPA wound up eighth in a ten team show while Co-op were also number seven in a nine team event. Nothing to be proud of really.
The KPA and Co-op club championship outings raised some of the hardest questions that fans keep asking without ever really getting an answer. When will there ever be a podium finish for Kenya ?

So what ails Kenyan basketball at the continental scene ? Is it aged players ? Lack of foresight and planning by the coaches, lack of talented players to perform at that level? physique ?

Why does the Kenyan teams go out the Africa championships it is always predictably what position they wound finish. Co-op had a suspect preparations going into this event.

In their first outing in Luanda in 2007, APR finished sixth, they were eighth in Tunisia in 2008 and won bronze medal at home. Aren't there some lessons for Kenyans. ?

Angolans dominate Africa. Nearly all players are local based and the fact that they have maintained their sterling run in the continent both at the club and national level is admirable really.

Co-op have hugely gifted athletes, they have the height and the body and some of the most talented players in the country. So what happened ? Anything coach Carey Oketch and Bogonko Bosire ?

Pundits talk about team selection. They are asking why two of the most experienced players in local basketball and who would have given immense contributions were not put on the plane to Kigali ?
If you want to compare your standards in African basketball then there is no better barometer than the Angolans- both at the club and national team level.They will teach you a few lessons- softly or violently.
And this time round, Co-op saw a lot of the Angolans and they were hit hard losing by over 100 points to two of Africa's most clinical sides in eventual winners Primeiro d'Agosto and Petro Atletico.

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) first vice chairman and the man who is with the team in Rwanda - Henry Shihemi said that the Kenyans learnt a lot in the championships. If only they will let all and sundry see what gains are being made.

KBF must now come in and make Kenya basketball look good in the eyes of everyone in the continent. The question is not when, the sooner the better.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Rwanda minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza gave a thumb-up to the Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA and hosting club APR Lions basketball club of Kigali for the smooth hosting of the final round of the just concluded 24th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men held between December 13 and 22.

The minister who was over joy with the organization and the performance of the APR lions side in the competition declared the government support for future basketball championship.
Habineza gave an indication during a reception put together by the Basketball Federation that the Rwandan Government will assist the federation to achieve its aim of bidding and hosting the 2013 Africa biggest basketball competition - The FIBA Africa Championship for Men (CAN) by building an ultra modern basketball gymnasium to compliment the existing sports hall at the Amahoro stadium.
"I am delighted that FIBA Africa gave the hosting of this competition to the Rwanda Basketball Federation and the Rwanda people and I want to say a big thank you to the continental body for entrusting with the organization of the competition.
“I also want to thanked the basketball federation under the leadership of Eric Kalisa for a job well-done and the APR Lions team for representing us well in the competition by finishing third best club-side in Africa.

“I want to assure FIBA Africa that the people and government of Rwanda is solidly behind the Rwanda Federation in hosting future tournament and we are set to build a bigger gymnasium that will be dedicated to basketball alone, the minister concluded.

….. As Rwanda bid for 2010 FIBA Africa U18 for Men

And with the success in hosting the 24th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men Rwanda through its Basketball Federation is bidding to stage the next edition of the FIBA Africa Championship for U18 Men in 2010.
This disclosure was made by the East Africa country Sports and Culture Minister, Joseph Habineza who charged the Rwanda Basketball Federation president, Eric Kalisa and his members to forward a bid for the championship to FIBA Africa for consideration.

The minister says he is confident the Rwanda federation will not disappoint in the organization of the cadet tournament.
According to the minister, “staging more continental and regional championship will help to boost our basketball and prepared us to stage the biggest event in 2013.
FERWABA president, Kalisa who expresses joy at the minister statement and the Rwandan government backing of it activities promise FIBA Africa that his federation will not let down the confidence repose in his federation in staging a befitting U18 championship if considered.

Kalisa says the hosting of the 2009 FIBA Africa biggest club competition has served as an eye opener to the federation and they are prepared to keep learning and improving so as to get the stage of perfection.

By Brown Msyani

Dar es Salaam basketball body (DB) has announced new dates for the four league matches, which were to be held yesterday at the National Indoor Stadium.
BD official and the tournament chief coordinator Manase Zablon said DB halted the matches to give sportsmen and women time to mourn the former premier Rashid Mfaume Kawawa who died on Thursday at the Muhimbili National Hospital.
"The matches will be held later in January, February and March at the same venue," he said.

The RBA fixture showed that Oilers were to meet Mgulani JKT in the league's opening match before the Chui-Cargo encounter takes place.
Also postponed was the third match between PTW Stars and Tanzania Prisons before the epic match between holders JKT and Pazi.

Zablon said the match between JKT and Mgulani would now be held on January 31, at the same venue while PTW Stars and Tanzania Prisons would meet on February 7.
He said that Oilers would face Mgulani on March 7, and Chui are to play Cargo on March 21.

Zablon said there is no change in today�s matches in which Vijana Queen will play Lady Lioness in the opening match.
Police Ladies and Tanzania Prisons will meet in the second match before JKT and Mgulani play in the first men�s encounter.

The final match of today's fixture will see ABC locking horns with their neigbours Chang'ombe United.

JKT, Vijana City Bulls and Savio are the top seeded teams in the tournament.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
History was made on Saturday when the basketball court in the newly renovated Campos Square mini stadium hosted the first edition of Eko-Akete 6-A-Side Basketball Jamz.

The court came alive with top players from the league and some young players battle for the top prize of N100, 000.

At the end of the one-day tournament, it was Stallion Blazers that won the top prize after beating Favored Men by 12-11 points in the keenly contested match. Homes United beat Assurances Babes 33-20 points for the third position and the sum of N50, 000.

Dignitaries who graced the event were Lagos State Commissioner for Sports, Prince Ademola Adeniji Adele, Lagos State Sports Councils board member, Tayo Popoola, Peter Nelson, the Coordinator for the South West Zone of the National Sports Commission, NSC as well as other personalities in Nigerian sports.

Speaking at the event, Honourable Kunle Kadiri, Supervisor for Health, who represented the Chairman of Lagos Island Local government, Honourable Wasiu Eshinlokun expressed happiness over the turnout and the standard display by players in the tournament.

He stated that the local government is committed to giving hope to the youths by creating avenue where they can excel in their choosing career.

In his own remark, Honourable Kamai Salau-Bashua, Secretary of Lagos Island East Local Development Area, who represented the chairman of the council, Honourable Mufutau Kadiku said that with what he saw at the one-day event, there is a bright future for the talented youths of the state. He noted that all they need is support and encouragement. He, however, promised that the tournament will be an annual event.

Tayo Popoola praised the organizers for putting together a good tournament that will be a platform to discover talents that will not only be useful to the state but the country.

She charged the organisers not to rest on their oars but take such grassroots development programme to other parts of the state so that more hidden talents can be identified and groom for the state.

She called on other local governments in the state to emulate the Lagos Island and Lagos Island East councils by sponsoring tourneys for the betterment of the state and the youths.

There was no better way of Dynasty starting 2010 than to release it's first newsletter D-Hoops which will become one of the many information platforms of Dynasty Basketball Association.
Reviewing 2009 is one of the captions for the January edition of the 2010 D-Hoops Newsletter. In it, all past and highlighting moments of Dynasty Basketball is captured from september 2008 to December 2009. Dynasty hopes to build D-Hoops Newsletter into a yearly magazine to capture not only Dynasty moments but Ghanaian and african basketball moments. 2009 was good by God's grace but 2010 will be greater with a greater grace from God to accomplish all we set to achieve to help develop Ghana Basketball.

from africabasket.com

BY TIMOTHY MUVUNYI

ESPOIR president Pierre Munyengabe has urged the local basketball governing body, Ferwaba to come to the rescue of poor clubs.

Munyengabe reasoned that lack of sufficient funds is affecting the competitiveness of the league.
“Recently, Marine pulled out of the league because of financial issues and other clubs may follow suit if the federation does not intervene,” he urged.
“Marine was one of the top clubs in the country and their exit is without doubt a blow to the sport.”

Munyengabe also asked Ferwaba to get on with the league as soon as possible to give clubs ample time to train in-between games.
“We need ample time to train in-between games so it is important that the league starts early.”

Last year, Espoir finished third after Marine and eventual champions APR.

Espoir has now set their sight at winning the title in 2011. “We have been working with some youngsters and we are sure they will be ready to challenge for the title in 2011,” he continued.
After lifting the title in 2004, the Rafiki-based club went off the radar at the expense of APR who have been unbending since.

By PHILIP ONYANGO

Despite a sizeable number of its top players having landed basketball scholarships abroad in the past ten years and efforts by the Kenya Basketball Federation to improve the local sport, Kenya is losing its regional stature.

Of late, Kenya, a powerhouse in the game just a few years ago, has seen its clubs lose matches to Rwandan and Ugandan sides. That the Rwanda national men’s team is gradually taking a commanding lead in the region talks volumes about the stagnant level of the local sport.

Lack of government attention, withdrawal of corporate support and failure by the former KBF officials to put in place proper structures has seriously hurt Kenya’s basketball and the country might soon be playing second fiddle in the region.

Replacement for former greats such as Ronnie Owino, George Nyundo, George Namake, Smarts Olumbo, George Ogola, Big Sam Omole, Isaac Omole, Vincent Mbulushe and Lawis Odera have not been made in the men’s team.

Slots previously occupied by the likes of Queen Olumbo, Nasila Achieng’, Susan Kariuki, Caroline Omamo, Salome Etenyi, Berther Akuno, Wilkister Oduor and the late Betty Murunga and Pheobe Orimba in the women’s side are yet to be filled after their would-be replacements went abroad on basketball schorlaships.

Some of the top Kenyan women players in the diaspora who can easily conquer Africa include Rose Ouma of Wayland Baptist University, as well as Gladys Wanyama, Mildred Olumasi and Beatrice Awino Oyenje, all of Union University.

Lorraine Achieng’, Maureen Obudho, Lillian Atieno, Lorraine Atieno, Jacky Wasuda, Maureen Wasuda and Brenda Wasuda, are all in Texas. In New York are Judith Lulu Obiero and Marion Githengi, while Miriam Wandanda is in Seattle and Josephine Achieng’ Owino in Turkey.

Fundraiser for air tickets

The players’ impact was witnessed when only three players – Josephine Owino, then at Union, Rose Ouma (then at Lewis and Clerk) and Lorraine Achieng’ were called up for the All Africa Games in Algeria and gave giants like Angola, Senegal, Nigeria and Mali a run for their money before finishing a respectable fourth.

International instructor Ronnie Owino and long-serving national head coach Thomas “Smarts” Olumbo are in agreement that no African country would beat Kenya if these women were in the team.

“Whether it will mean organising a major fundraiser for air tickets, we must start calling up these players for international assignments at both club and national team level, like Rwanda and other countries are doing, for us to make an impression,” Owino said in an interview.

There is, however, a flicker of hope. The new KBF leadership entered the teams in all international assignments last year.

For the first time, the Under-18 national team took part in both the zonal championships in Uganda and the Afro Basket Championships in Tunisia (girls) and Egypt (boys).

The women’s team performed pretty well, beating big names like Nigeria, DR Congo, Cote d’Ivoire and Benin before losing narrowly to the hosts in the quarter-finals to finish a worthy fifth.

Since at least six of the girls in the championships last year will still be in the same age brackets next year, with proper preparations Kenya can easily make it to the World Junior Championships.
The players include Purity Auma and Susan Akinyi, who are headed for US colleges on basketball schorlaships, Helen Oketch, who was voted Kenya’s best defensive player in the league this year, Virginia Awino, Olumasi and Shimba Hills guards Fatma Mohamed and Lucy Ohanga.

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Even though the boys got a hammering, losing all their matches to finish last, the experience the players and the technical bench gained in Egypt will come in handy when Kenya takes another shot at the championships in August.

Lack of structures has however seen such talent go to waste as some of the women’s coaches prefer recruiting established players who have retired from clubs to nurturing talent straight from school.

Sadly, no Kenyan club made a podium finish in the past decade. Neither has the national team. Local clubs finished either last or second last in the Africa Club Championships.

Latest casualties

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women and Co-operative Bank of Kenya men were the latest casualties at the continental event as both wound eighth with single wins in the edition held in Benin (women) and Rwanda (men).
Ironically, five-year-old Rwandan Patriotic Army (APR) were third after losing by only 12 points to defending champions and eventual winners Primero de Agosto of Angola.

KBF’s recent decision to organise high level coaching courses in Nairobi could help develop standards, but only if coaches will respect players from schools.

And as Olumbo, who is also the Eagle Wings coach, puts it, KBF ought to compel clubs to form youth teams which would feed the clubs when their players leave for whatever reason.

Permanent Under-12, Under-15, Under-18 and Under-20 teams would beef up the national team, he said.
“We should be knowing who will be a replacement for which player instantly, without looking around, which is only possible through youth programmes,” Olumbo said.

AFRICA 2009 Teams Champions by countries

Men
ALGERIA - ASPTT Alger
ANGOLA - 1º de Agosto Luanda
BENIN - Elan Sport Puerto Novo
BOTSWANA - Troppers
BURKINA FASO –
BURUNDI - Urunani
CAP VERDE - Seven Stars
CAMERON - BEAC Yandaoué
COMORES – Djabal Club
CONGO BRAZAVILLE – Inter Brazaville
EGYPT – Ithiadi
ERITREA- ?
ETYOPIA - Ethio Investiment groupe “Tastis”
GABON – Atomick BB
GAMBIA _- ?
GHANA – CEPS Braves
ISLES MAURICE - Real Port Louis
IVORY COAST - ABC
LESTHO – Rovers Basketball Club
LIBERIA - NPA Pythons
LIBIA - Al Nasser
KENYA – KCB Lions
MADAGASCAR – COSFA
MALAWI – Mimbulu
MALI - Real
MAROCCO – IRT Tanger
MAURITANIA – ASAC Concorde
MAYOTTE – Vautours Abbatoir
MOZAMBIQUE – Maxaquene Maputo
NAMIBIA – ¿
NIGER – ASAF
NIGERIA – Kano Pillars
RCA – Red Star
RD CONGO – BC Mazembe Lubumbashi
RWANDA – APR
SEYCHELLS – PLS Hawks
SENEGAL – DUC Dakar
SIERRA LEONE – ?
SOMALIE – ?
SWALIZANDIA - ?
SUDAN – Mareekn
TANZANIA – JKT
TOGO – Modele
TUNISIA – ESS Etoile du Sahel
UGANDA – Warriors
ZAMBIA – LCC Looters
ZIMBABWE .- JBC

STORY SOURCE : RITE MULTMIDEA.

Armed Forces Secondary Technical School and Sacred Hearts Girls School redrafted history by lifting the trophy in the grand finale of the 2009 Sprite Ball Championship in their respective divisions at the El-Wak Stadium over the weekend.

The Burma camp based side which placed third in the Greater Accra regional qualifiers put up a bolt from the blue performance in the two-day tournament at the citadel of basketball in Accra beating highly fancied schools like Pope John, Opoku Ware School and Mfanstipim enroute to the final before they scaled the hurdle against Volta regional champions Keta Senior High 19-11 in a highly charged game.

Armed Forces produced the performance of the two-day competition by putting up a come back from behind display to beat Central regional champions Mfantsipim at the 1/16th stage. They were down 17-6 at the end of the first half but fought back strongly to narrowly beat the Cape Coast based school 18-17 to the admiration of the dignitaries and thousands of crazy basketball fans who thronged the venue.

The 2009 grand finale of the Sprite Ball Championship will go into the history books as the most keenly contested tournament to date - an indication that the game has improved tremendously since it inception four years ago.

Keta Senior High will rue the lost opportunity after they lost yet another final in a heartbreaking manner. Ketasco lost the the finals of last year's competition at the Aviation Social Centre to dethrone champions Achimota Senior High and Sunday's defeat to Armed Forces was ego battering and shattering for the Keta based school for two years in succession.

On the contrary Sacred Hearts girls are baking in the glory after a sterling performance at the weekend. The Accra based side recorded a sweet revenge over defending champions Wesley girls high school at the semi-final stage beating the Cape Coast based school 19-12 to make for last season's final defeat to the same side. They also manage to beat western regional rivals Arch Bishop Porter girls at the 1/16th stage before seeing off Central regional champions Aggrey Memorial in a one -sided game 21- 9 at the El-Wak stadium. But Aggrey Memorial will take consolation in the fact their debut appearance has earned them rave reviews in the West African country and should buoyed them for the fifth edition of the tournament next year.

Meanwhile Koforidua Secondary Technical School (K.S.T.S) won bronze in the boys division after they beat bronze medallist from the Ashanti region Opoku Ware School while Wesley girls also took the third spot following their triumph over Insaaniya School in the third and fourth place match.

The performances from the schools that qualified for the knockout stages excited the dignitaries who graced the occasion including the Special Guest of Honour, Ga Mantse, His Majesty King Tackie Tawiah 111, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Nortey Duah, Chairman of the Ghana Basketball Association, David Addo Ashong, representatives from headline sponsors, Sprite and officials of the Ghana Education Service among others.

Dozens of international scouts from the United States of America and other parts of Europe flocked the venue to monitor players who excelled individually for a possible stint with a with an European team.

The two-day basketball fiesta produced an array of blistering basketball performances from the forty-four (44) schools spread across six regions and has left a huge imprint in the minds of the fans who witnessed the games.