Basketball in Africa

The first ever All Star Grand Slam tournament will be staged at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, Nairobi, on March 4.

This special event has been organised by national women’s head coach, Thomas "Smarts" Olumbo in memory of two national team players, Nancy Okoba and Susan Agoya.

Olumbo said two teams, one comprising KCB Lioness, Kenya Ports Authority and Sprite Storms, will form one team to play against players from other teams.

"The deceased played for the first team during their time while their opponents will be made up of top players from the rest of the teams from the league," said Olumbo.

Other matches will involve the men’s teams consisting of the bankers. namely KCB Lions, Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Postbank on one side, against the rest.

"Nancy and Susan were the backbone of the national team. As their coach, I thought this was the best way the basketball fraternity can remember them and their contribution to the game," he said. The two players passed on last year.

Last year’s provincial schools finalists, Kamukunji Secondary, Buru Buru Girls, St Austin’s and Aquinas High Schools boys teams have also been invited to grace the event that will also have free throw and three points shoot outs and dunking.

Olumbo named the players for the All Stars team as Gladys Wanyama, Mirriam Owuor, Rose Ouma, Millicent Anyango, Irene Murambi and Winnie Achieng (KPA).

Others are Caroline Arato, Sweeney Tindi, Liz Alich and Winnie Kanani, Ruth Wasike (Lioness).

While Angela Luchivya, Traza Opudo and Salma from Storms.

Joyce Makungu, Eva Kedogo, Carol Achieng, Evelyn Norah, Pamella Asige, Pamela Ikonga, Eunice Ouma, Caroline Achieng, Rebecca Sarange, Carol Mureji (Telkom). The rest are Angela Okoth, Patricia Kalusiokoma and Sylvia Koech from United States International University.