Basketball in Africa

By EDEN KIRONDE
Wandegeya

CHARGING Rhino has lost four of the nine first round league games while recording two major collapses in their previous two games against Falcons and Miracle respectively, a collapse hitherto unconceivable to the perennial playoff candidates.

Leading Falcon 25-17 by the second quarter, Rhino collapsed to a 28-09 defeat in the next two quarters. The same script was repeated last weekend against Miracle when Rhino surrendered a 12-point. But behind the club's slump there is more than is visible on court.

In an interview with Rhino's former captain Mandy Juruni (pictured), he said that an internal rift between the players and the way their coach Mike Mailboux makes some technical decisions is the major reason for the poor shows.

"Some players are not contented with the way the coach makes some of his decisions especially when we are in the lead," stated Juruni. "He tends to favour some players even when they are under performing he simply cannot substitute them," he continued. He added that this has also contributed led to lack of cohesion in the whole team.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA
WANDEGEYA

Results
KIU Rangers 64 Amazon 48


KAMPALA International University (KIU) Rangers moved to second place on the table past Lady Bucks after their 64-48 win over Amazon at YMCA on Tuesday.

The University side capitalised on a massive 36-21 first half lead to overcome the determined Rhino ladies who tied both last quarters with 16 and 12 points respectively, but to no avail.

"We are now aiming at a better performance in the second round and get to the play offs," KIU coach Nimrod Kaboha said after the game.

Barbara Namukaya topped the scorers' chat with 16 points while Hadijja Kiiza and Aisha Nalumansi made 15 and 12 points as they won eight of the nine first round games.
Youthful Florence Nanyonga led Amazon with 12 points and 6 rebounds as Judith Nansobya, Angella Lukidi and Lydia Mulwana contributed 10, 9 and 8 points respectively.

KIU's win ensured their second position b ehind leaders Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards, and above former champions Lady Bucks by a single point.

Amazon Rhinos remains in eighth position with 12 points from three wins and six loses. Defending champions and regional bronze medalists A-1 Challenge are 4th placed.

A Botswana Defence Force (BDF) basketball team arrives in the country to play a series of friendly matches against some local teams over this coming long weekend.

Zambia Basketball Association (ZBA) general secretary Mwembe Kaona said yesterday that BDF would start their tour with a fixture against Newspaper Direct Heroes this Friday before playing three matches on Saturday.

In the morning, BDF will play against Zambia National Service side Green Eagles followed by another match against Copperbelt side Hetro Bullets in the afternoon.

The visitors will end the day with a match against Zambia Army side Green Buffaloes in the evening.

By Pius Ayinor
Lagos

Delta State's representatives in the girls' category, Asaba Girls Grammar School, Asaba and Edo State's representatives in the boys' category, St. Thomas's Basic Group of Schools, Benin City have emerged champions of the just concluded Atlantic Conference of this year's Nestle Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship.

The conference held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Delta State Sports Council, Asaba lived up to expectations as the participating teams put everything in place to win the trophies.

In the girls final, Asaba Girls Grammar School, Asaba defeated Government Technical College, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State 19 -11 to lift the trophy.

The Delta girls proved from the first quarter of the game that they are ready for the trophy as they finished the first quarter leading 8 -3 and led all the way through the remaining quarters to end the match at 19 -11.

And in the boys' showdown, St. Thomas Basic Group of Schools, Benin City defeated Magic Touch Academy, Warri, Delta State 35 - 28 points to lift the boys' title.

The thrilling encounter saw the first quarter ending 15 -12 in favour of St. Thomas, but at the resumption of the second quarter, Magic Touch levelled scores at 15 -15 only for St. Thomas to end the quarter at 31 - 24 points and went ahead to win the match at 35 - 28.

In his response at the end of the competition, Regional Sales Manager (South-South) of Nestle Nigeria PLC, Adewale Arikawe praised the teams for their fighting spirit.

"The matches in this conference have been very competitive and I must confess that the teams lived up to expectations", he said.

According to him, Nestle Milo is proud to sponsor the competition and will continue the sponsorship for years to come.

"The commitment is to develop the game and sports in general. We will continue to actualise our support to the growth of the game", he said.With the victories, Asaba Girls Grammar School and St. Thomas Basic School would represent the Atlantic Conferences at the national finals billed for Lagos later in October.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA

KAMPALA

Today
Crane High vs Kabojja SS

THE 2006 MTN All Stars Game will be played on Saturday July 1 at Lugogo Indoor Stadium, Kampala.
Local hoops governing body, the Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (Fuba) technical committee on Monday released a list of selected stars from all the three league divisions.

The players who make two teams of ten players each, were selected according to their performance during the MTN league first round games that ended on Sunday.

Fuba technical chairman Yunus Nkutu told Daily Monitor that there were a few changes in the date of the tournament.

"But it has been tentatively scheduled for Saturday and we do not expect any other changes," Nkutu said.
The Yello Max conference has Henry Malinga, Sam Obol, Isaac Afidra, Louis Habineza, Emma Baguma and Gulu's Denis Akena leading the East Pool while Steven Okias, Brian Gumisiriza, Mande Juruni, Wilbroa Okecho, Ronnie Kasewu, Chris Kyebambe and Alex Ochola make up the Western Pool.

The women stars include Viola Akuma, Betty Namukasa, Ali Mavita, Aisha Nalumansi, Joyce Zalwango, Charlene Kalungi and Carol Mugasha for the Western team while Becky Akullo, Agatha Baliddawa, Frances Nabulobi, Flavia Okecho, Florence Kalume, Carol Nantalo and Mariam Birungi are part of the second side.

Last year's edition was held at Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono. Meanwhile, Crane High takes on rivals Kabojja SS at Kitintale in the last Division 11 game.

The management of First Bank Sports Council recently took a proactive measure ahead the starting date for the 2006 edition of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF organised National Women Club Championship sponsored by top player in the Nigeria banking sector, Zenith Bank Plc and the Lagos City league of the Lagos State Basketball Association.

The First Bank team - Elephant Girls and Blue Angels were the defending champion and 2nd runners-up of both championship and have resolved to double its efforts for the championships this year as most female clubsides have decided to give the bankers a run for their money and talents.

The Blue Angels will begin the fight for a final-8 ticket of the Zenith Bank/NBBF Championship in Asaba, Delta State from July 3 against some scrapy opposition like the 2005 surprised team, Sunshine Angels basketball club of Akure, Edo Queens of Benin, Customs basketball club of Lagos and green horn Amazons basketball club of Lagos. The two top teams in this arrangement qualifies for the final-8 playoffs schedule to hold at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium in August this year.

The more enterprising Elephant Girls will begin the defence of the title it won last year in Akure the Ondo State capital against its arch rival and 2005 runners-up, Dolphins basketball club, Delta Force basketball club of Asaba, Oluyole Babes of Ibadan and Bayelsa Queens from July 8 through 12.

The third group/conference will hold in Bauchi with siox teams fighting for honours, these includes, Bauchi Queens basketball club, Plateau Rocks of Jos, AHIP basketball club of Kano, Nigeria Immigration also of kano Scorpion Sparks basketball of Abuja and Benue Queens basketball club of makurdi. The six teams will try to outwit one another from July 23 to 27.

According to the coordinator of the 2006 edition of the championship retired Col. Sam Ahmedu that there would be a second chance for third and fourth placed teams from the three conference to have a shot at the final-8 playoffs when they gather in Abuja for another round of basketball action from August 4 to 8.

The female fixtures of the City league will role off at the end of the two conferences (Asaba and Akure) which analysts have described as a good timing by the organisers of the state league which serve as a complimentary role to that of the NBBF.

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Men
Falcons 59 S/Power 47
Marines 83 L/Stone 39
KIU 74 Najja 28
Berkeley 71 FPAU 62
KCC Lions 62 Lubiri 60
K/Rdiers 20 SPENA 00 (W/O)

Women
Leopards 42 A-1 36
KIU Rangers 83 Nabisunsa 53

Today
Amazon v KIU Rangers - 6.00pm

A big third-quarter performance from Louis Habineza helped Falcons recover from an awful first-half to triumph in their key MTN basketball league game at YMCA on Sunday.

Habineza scored 10 of his 14 points in the second-half as Falcons extended their league winning streak to a season-high eight games with a 59-47 triumph over Sadolin Power.

Henry Malinga and Sam Obol added 13 and 11 points respectively for Falcons, who not only maintained pole position on the Yello Max table, but also avenged last year’s 2-0 playoffs defeat by Power.

Falcons were able to continue their winning ways despite converting just five baskets in the second quarter. They also committed eight turnovers in the period that ended with Power holding a 30-22 lead.

Habineza was the driving force in the third quarter, scoring 10 points as Falcons rallied to a 44-36 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
Wilbrod Oketcho scored 15 points and Ken Balyejusa 13 for Power, which lost its third game.

P W L PTS
Falcons 9 8 1 17
Marines 9 7 2 16
Warriors 9 7 2 16
Power 9 6 3 15
Miracle 9 5 4 14
Rhinos 9 5 4 14
KIU 9 4 5 13
Hawks 9 3 6 12
Stone 9 1 8 10
Najja 9 1 8 10

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By Aloysius Byamukama
Kampala

KAMPALA City Council (KCC) Leopards maintained their unbeaten run in the MTN women basketball league with a 42-36 win over defending champions A-I Challenge on Sunday.

Becky Akullo and Miriam Hamara made 11 and 10 points respectively to KCC capitalised on a 20-12 first half lead to register a sensational win, while Rosette Meya and Viola Akuma had 10 and 8 points for the defending champions.

A-I would have made a strong come back in the last quarter, but erratic finishing cost them with Meya and Betty Namukasa being the culprits.

In the men's Yello Max, former champions Falcons also maintained their top spot after stopping Sadolin Power 59-47.

Fast improving Louis Habineza notched 14 points with Henry Malinga and Sam Obol making 13 and 11 respectively, while Wilbrod Okecho and Ken Balyejusa made 15 and 13 points for Power who remained in fourth position behind defending champions Nkumba Marines.

Wallidan Basketball team, the defending champions and super cup title holders have maintained a deserving lead in the on-going national basketball league, which is spear-headed by the Gambia Basketball Federation (GBF).

Wallidan have won all their six fixtures to continue their hundred percent start in the league. Close on their heels is Dingareh basketball team which have also won all their six encounters with relatively good score-margins.

The national league which was organised in a bid to revitalise basketball game in the country, has entered its Week Seven fixtures. The Week Seven encounters will commence on Wednesday, June 28, at Manneh Sillah Memorial basketball lawn in Banjul with Street Jam taking on Gambega, who earlier lost their Week Six fixture to Wallidan. On Thursday, June 29, Mass Sosseh basketball team will lock horns with Brikama side.

Meanwhile, the basketball league has suffered some disruption as some of the Week Six games never completed, owing to the lack of electricity at the lawn in the past week, an official of the basketball federation told Observer Sports yesterday. According to him, most of the games played last week were unceremoniously aborted during the half-time intervals, but was quick to add that the Week Seven encounters will go ahead as planned.

National men’s basketball champions Ulinzi Warriors were made to fight every inch of their way before squeezing a slim 69-65 win over hard-fighting Nakuru in a league match at Menengai High School, Nakuru, over the weekend.

Ulinzi who were the pre-match favourites were restricted to a 16-15 advantage in the first and second quarters. In Nairobi, regional club champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions fell 72-69 to Co-operative Bank of in an entertaining Premier League match at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

Other results were: Lomboritz 75 Kisumu Lakeside 71, Mennonites 67 Nairobi Pentecostal church 56, Don Bosco 67 Telkom 54, Telkom (women) 78 JKUAT 31.

Lions took things for granted to drop four consecutive points when Co-op Bank rocked them 72-69 in their first leg tie. Lions, who had lost another two points against champions Ulinzi Warriors on a 20-0 basis last weekend, had showed some effort from the word go on Saturday, tying the score at 13-13 in the first quarter, before they gave in.

Men
Vegetarians 98 Courts 88
Flamers 52 Flippers 46
UCU 63 Blue Jackets 38
Warriors 68 Gulu 43
Miracle 62 Rhino 55
Women
Crane High 20 Comets 00
Amazon 39 MUK Cubs 38
Lady Bucks 38 Sparks 36

MIRACLE Basketball team finished the MTN Yello Max conference first round in style after stunning hopefuls Charging Rhino 62-55 on Saturday at YMCA courts.

Rhino had taken a 29-17 first half lead but the Rubaga side took advantage of a technical lapse by the 1997 champions to pick a strong 28-09 third quarter score propelled them to victory.

Raymong Bukenya and veteran Chris Kyebambe made 13 and 12 points, while Ben Komakech added 11 as they moved to sixth position with 13 points.

Rhino who missed the services of Diego Angiemi's had Richard Okila make 11 points.
Meanwhile, Kyambogo Warriors enjoyed a night on top of the table after their 68-43 win over visiting Gulu Hawks took them to 16 points.

In the women's category, Lady Bucks work horse Flavia Okecho and new signing Sarah Namiro made 11 and 7 points respectively as the former champions maintained their supremacy over Makerere Sparks with a 38-36 low scoring win.

Amazon needed Angella Lukidi's last second basket to beat Makerere Cubs after playing an over time following a 36-all normal time score. Crane High walked over Kyambogo Comets who did not show up.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA

kampala

Men
KCC Lions v Lubiri
KIU v Najja
Marines v Livingstone
Falcons v Sadolin
Women
KIU v Nabisunsa
KCC v A-1 Challenge

FORMER MTN league champions Falcons take on rivals Sadolin Power in an anticipated big clash in the MTN Yello Max round one encounter at YMCA courts.
The two giants meet with fresh memories of Power's 2-0 win over their rivals in last season’s best of three semi- final series.

The record winners have recorded seven straight wins since losing to defending champions Nkumba Marines in the opener in April and currently top the table with 15 points and a better goal average.
However, the 2000 champions will be out to avoid a third loss of the season but a meagre average still settles them behind Warriors and Marines.

Marines take on Livingstone, while Kampala International University (KIU) play Najja in a do or die tie.
In the women’s category, defending champions A-1 Challenge will be out to avenge their 46-49 loss to KIU Rangers last Wednesday when they meet unbeaten Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards in a tricky women's game.

The mayor's ladies boast of a big bench with Agatha Balidawa, Becky Akullo, Miriam Hamala, Linda Tamale and Monica Siima.
However, A-I who has collected 14 points from eight games will rely on Elizabeth Kiiza, Josephine Namayega, Viola Akuma, Betty Namukasa and Ali Mavita to contain their opponents.

I think from past results we have shown that we dominate this competition and other age group tournaments in Africa. The last group of young talent we had in this competition were suberb. Such great young talents as Churchil Odia, Nurudeen Adepoju, Solomon Tat, Ejike Ugboaja, Stanley Gumut, Usman abubakar, Tunji Soroye have all turned out to be outstanding players and all playing good ball in various colleges or at club levels.

With this group we also have a group of kids very talented. From camps we have established with the top 50, bigman camps, Olumide Oyedeji camps, Milo High School Championships and clinics, the premier league, clubs, we have been able to discover a lot of young talent now in Nigeria and also younger kids from our programs playing in high school in the United States of America.

With the league getting in full swing, clubs and coaches have also done a great job playing youngerstars and giving them more exposure. We have seen this with guys like Michael Ohiero, Oseer Ikyaator,Frank Eze and George Ehigwana with the comets, Mbaram Omori,Ayodele Ahmed,Mohammed Bukar with the Warriors and Azeez Oladimeji and Temitope Ahmed of the Islanders. This kids will be a big part of our junior team that will represent Nigeria in South Africa come July and August.

We have also identify some of our outsandng youngstars playing in high school in the USA. Solomon Alabi, Joseph Katuka, Dele Coker, Emmanuel Negedu..etc.

We have made it clear that these players must be flown home in good time to compete and blend with the kids at home.

It is good to see coach Adeka Daudu get the oppurtunity to commandier a team in the African Championships. He has done a great job travelling round the country finding the right players. We had time to watch about four league games and access players and put a list together.

Our goal is not only to win the junior championships but to DOMINATE.

It is now left to the federation to bring the players together in a training camp environment to prepare for the tournament.

I'll continue to keep working hard to give the youth of Nigeria a chance to grow as people and as basketball players. Its increasingly becomes more difficult as my role continuues to increse withe Denver Nuggets.

By Julius Mbaraga

ESPOIR is seated at the top of the national basketball league standings following an 88-86 triumph over UNR on Sunday.

Playing away from home, the Rafiki outfits were kept under pressure until the very end when they eventually managed to walk away with maximum points after a two-point lead.
The victory pushed them to the top, two points ahead of APR who gave away two points to Basketball United Generation after failing to show-up at the playing ground.
The APR coach, Cliff Owuor, disappointedly said that the club had received no official communication from the basketball federation about any league fixtures.
“Honestly, we were not told anything from the federation. All I heard was from one of my players telling me that he had overheard people saying that APR had a game over the weekend. I was told Friday evening,” Owuor noted.
Elsewhere, UNR also bagged free points following KIE’s failure to show-up at the ground.

FORMER MTN basketball league Women champions Makerere Sparks and Lady Bucks meet today in their last round one game at the YMCA courts.

The University side has lost four games in their eight outings and are currently sitting on the relegation line in an unusual fifth position.

The acquisition of Vicky Nassolo and Sarah Nakitanda has tried to solve some shooting problems the side suffered since the departure of Florence Akello in 2003.

However, the record winners Bucks last lost to their rivals in the best of five final series in 2003 and have had regesterd record wins on paper.

|In the other women's games, Crane will face Comets, while Amazon Rhino take on Cubs. The men's Yello Max conference pits improved Warriors against visiting Gulu Hawks while Miracle stand in Rhino's way as the 1997 champions seek to join Falcons at the top with victory.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA

KAMPALA

RESULT
KIU RANGERS 49 A-1 46

AISHA Nalumansi's timely three pointer propelled Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers to a 49-46 win over defending champions A-I Challenge in the MTN league game played Wednesday night at YMCA.
A-I had taken a 8-7 first quarter lead before a power black out stopped the game for about 15 minutes before the University side forced a 23-all first half tie at resumption.

The defending champions then took a 6 points lead through Ali Mavita and Carol Mugasha's accurate shorts from out side the arc.
But KIU's Hadijja Kiiza gradually cut it short with easy lay ups following A-I's loose defence deep in the third quarter that tied the scores at 31, making the two sides take the lead either way in a sea-saw trend.

With the scores level at 45 and with 55 seconds to play, player of the day Nalumansi started exchanging the ball with fellow new signing Tewin Ssemakula and aimed at the hoop before Daisy Owade added one.

Kiiza, Owade and Nalumansi made 14, 11 and 10 points for KIU while Mugasha and Josephine Namayega notched 11 and 9 with Mavita and Viola Akuma contributing 8 and 7 points for A-1. Akuma was later penalised for urguing with the umprire Ssendi.

By Swalley Kenyi
Kampala

NILE Bank, TKL, Diamonds, Rwenzori and British Bulls teams emerged champions in various categories of the 2006 Kampala Kids League (KKL) football competition that ended at Aga Khan school grounds on Sunday.

Nile Bank emerged top of the two-month long event in the mid-morning category with 13 points, beating Safi to second place.

Rwenzori won the seniors category after they managed 15 points - six ahead of rivals Eagle Air.

In the super seniors category British Bulls stole the show courtesy of a single point difference with uganda telecom and Asiatic Sports, both of which gathered 10 points with utl second on the table with a two-margin goal difference.

The winners who are set to be awarded individual medals and trophies and overall trophies will be crowned soon.

Next is the basketball league that kicks off on October 7.

Mid-morning category

Nile Bank 13pts
Safi 8

Juniors

TKL 13pts
SN Brussels 12
Mid Afternoon
Diamonds 10pts
WFP 9

Seniors

Rwenzori 15pts
Eagle Air 9

Suer seniors

British Bulls 11pts
utl 10
Asiatics 10

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the sponsors of their female league, Zenith Bank, have unveiled the details of the league for the 2006 season. The details were given yesterday at the National Stadium, Lagos in a joint media briefing organised by both sides.

At the session, it was formally disclosed that Zenith Bank had increased the sponsorship fee to N10m (Ten million naira) from the originally amount of N7.5m with which the league started last year.

The first Vice-President of the Federation Chief Segun Erinle who represented Buba Gyang at the occasion told reporters that the NBBF was quite delighted at the pace the league was moving.

"Last year it all started with N7.5m and in just one season it has been reviewed upward to N10m. This simply explains that the league can only get better with the years. We are much better in so many ways now and we are happy with Zenith Bank and impressed by the standard they are setting for other corporate bodies in the country," he said.

The Head of Corporate Communications of Zenith Bank Mr. Timi Ejoor who said they could only get better with time represented the bankers.

'We are quite a young bank and this league partnership is also a new one but the signs are clear that we can only get better with time."

The official who said he followed closely the matches of the female national team at the last Commonwealth Games on television said that Zenith Bank was very proud to be associated with the ladies.

"As sponsors of the female league we were quite excited and impressed with what we saw of the female team in Melbourne. We followed their progress and for the fact that the league system produced the players we were very proud to be associated with the league," Ejoor said.By the new format announced by the league, the 15 teams in the system will play in four Conferences. The Equatorial Conference will have their games from July 3rd to 7th and will feature Sunshine Angels of Akure, Customs, Blue Angels of Lagos, Edo Queens and Amazons. Western Conference with centre at Akure has First Bank team, Delta Force of Asaba, Dolphins, Oluyole Babes and Bayelsa Queens. They will compete from 8th to 12th July. Savannah (Bauchi) has Bauchi Queens, Plateau Rocks, AHIP, Nigeria Immigration and Scorpion Sparks of Kano. They will compete from the 23rd to 27th.

The top two teams from the three conferences will form the base of the play off stage and will be joined by the top two sides from the fourth conference. The third and fourth teams of each zone will form the fourth conference.

The final-8 will be played in Lagos by August with First Bank's Elephant Girls as defending champions.

The Nigerian national basketball camp that opened by the weekend in the United States of America will get a high class visit this week in the person of the President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and as well as the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service Mr. Jacob Buba Gyang. The NBBF President is expected to jet out today to the USA where he would visit the players in their Dallas camp.

"I have said it and I stand by it that we (Nigeria) are not going there (Japan 2006) just to make the numbers. We are going there to play good basketball and make a statement to the world. We are preparing well and our desire is get there and make Nigerians proud," he said.

Buba’s visit is to ensure that everything is properly in place for the camp while giving a moral boost to the players checked into Dallas by Saturday for the first phase of the camp, which has been divided into different stages. The top basketball official in Nigeria said that he would everything within his powers to ensure the men would do well just as similar quality treatment would be given to the preparations of the female team would be in Brazil by September for women version of the FIBA World Cup.

By the arrangement, the national team best known as The Tigers are billed to camp in Dallas for two weeks before going into the second part by July 8th to 24th in Las Vegas. They will move over to Turkey three days after for a five-nation tournament in Ankara and will then return to Dallas where the preparations will be completed before the onward flight to Japan.

The national team similarly began their camping to the African Cup held in Algeria last August in the USA before a completion process in Abuja enroute to Algiers. The men won the third African ticket while the Lady Tigers beat the whole of the African continent to the number one spot last December in Abuja.

The Nigerian Tigers will be in Japan for 2006 FIBA World Championship for Men, which will begin by August 19th with Sam Vincent as coach of the team

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Men
Falcons 76 Rhinos 70
Warriors 91 Najja 35
UCU 68 MUK Youth 60
KCC Lions79 Flammers 64
Berkeley 60 Lubiri 44

Women
KCC 73 L/Bucks 54
KIU 36 MUK-Sparks 34
A-1 Challenge 53 Amazon 30

Eric Malinga stole the show for Falcons on Sunday as they pulled away in the last minute for a 76-70 triumph over Charging Rhinos.

Malinga scored 19 points and hauled down 10 rebounds as Falcons posted their seventh straight MTN basketball league win and climbed top of the Yello Max Conference table with 15 points from eight games.

Rhinos took a 56-49 lead in the third quarter which they hung onto for much of the fourth quarter, but Falcons erased the seven-point deficit closing the game with a 27-14 run.

Diego Angemi had 16 points and Alex Ochola added 10 for Rhinos who dropped to their third loss in eight games.

ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA
Kampala

FORMER league champions Falcons went top of Yello Max table after a hard fought win over Charging Rhino in the MTN basketball league game played at YMCA on Sunday.
The record winners trailed 34-27 at first half, but recovered in the last two quarters with 22-17 and 27-14 scores.
Walter Alenyo came off the bench with the 1997 champions leading 58-55 in 6 minutes of playing time to assist Guy Rutaitsire and Eric Malinga for a 59-58 Falcons' step up.
The lead was extended to five points before Ronnie Kalule narrowed it with a curling three pointer.

Alenyo's constant threat to Rhino's rear end instigated Diego Angiemi to unnecessary fouls that extended Falcons' upper hand.

Malinga's Eric and Henry made 19 points apiece while Diego Angiemi and Alex Ochola made 16 and 10 points for Rhino.
Steven Okias' 35 points gave Warriors a 91-35 win over Najja High and kept their third position at 14 points.

In the women's category, Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards remained unbeaten in 8 games after their 73-54 win over former champions Lady Bucks to remain top with 16 points.

Defending champions A-I Challenge together with Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers' secured second and third slots following wins over Amazon Rhino and Makerere Sparks respectively.

A-1 Challenge, the regional bronze medalists beat Amazon Rhino 53-30, while KIU struggled to defeat University side MAK Sparks 36-

by CAXTON APOLLO and JUMA NAMLOLA


Reigning women’s Basketball League champions, Kenya Ports Authority, defeated Telkom by 66-51 in their fast-paced weekend league match at Makande in Mombasa.

Led by Gladys Wanyama and Rose Ouma, the East and Central Africa Club Championships title holders went on the offensive early, leading by 20-10 points in the first quarter. Telkom women struggled to catch up but found the going tough as they trailed 32-39 by half time. Ouma, was undoubtedly the player of the day, top-scoring with 26 points while Wanyama scored 18 points.

In Nairobi, Ulinzi Warriors were on Saturday declared the winners on a 20-0 basis after KCB Lions caused the abandonement of their top basketball Premier League-cum-Madaraka Day Cup match at Nyayo National Stadium. Lions walked out of the court with 29 seconds left in protest of the 24-second short clock which had failed with two minutes, 45 seconds left.

International referees Joseph Amoko and Vitalis Gode called the two coaches who agreed to continue playing without the 24 second short clock. Ulinzi Warriors were up 64-60 when the clock developed the hitch. Other results were: Pirates 80 Nakuru Club 61, Java Warriors 81 Telkom 79, Nairobi Pentecostal Church 74 Don Bosco 60.

In the Nairobi Basketball Association League, the Fidel Maithya-led Langata Crusaders piled the pressure on leaders Blazers with a 53-41 victory over African Nazarene University.

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Men
Power 78 KIU 76
K/Riders 67 Vegetarians 56
Crane H. 53 Flippers 49
Women
L/Bucks 92 MUK-Cubs 38

MARVIN Keronga’s big 3-pointer with 45 seconds left helped Sadolin Power edge KIU 78-76 in an MTN basketball league match on Saturday.

Keronga scored nine of his 12 points in the fourth quarter as Power posted their sixth win in eight games and went top of the Yello Max conference table.

The battle saw Power struggle in the fourth quarter, falling behind by six points before Isaac Katumba and Allan Tawodda nailed jumpers and Keronga sunk the killer shot to give the blue-outfit team the win.

Isaac Afidra scored 21 points and Mwinuka added 18 for KIU who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

In the women’s game, Frances Nabulobi’s 27 points gave Lady Bucks a 92-38 over MUK-Cubs.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA

Kampala

Women
A-1 v Amazon Rhino
KCC v Lady Bucks
Sparks v KIU Rangers
Men
Blue Jackets v Spena
Warriors v Najja High
Falcons v Rhino

ALL Basketball roads lead to the YMCA and Makerere Pool courts this afternoon to witness big MTN League basketball ties in the women and men’s cetegories.

Table leaders Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards take on former champions Lady Bucks in an anticipated thriller.
The record winners Lady Bucks got a sensational 54-47 win over defending champions A-I Challenge last weekend. Flavia Okecho, Frances Nabulobi and Miriam Birungi are in fine form.

The mayor's ladies, unbeaten in 7 games will rely on Agatha Baliddawa, Linda Tamale, Miriam Hamala and Becky Akullo for a possible win.

Makerere Sparks take on KIU Rangers in another action packed contest while A-I Challenge will have to put their tactics right inorder to avoid a second straight loss this time to Amazon.

In the men's category, Falcons, Charging Rhino, Najja High, Warriors , Najja High and Spena will be in action.

By CAXTON APOLLO


National men's basketball league champions Ulinzi Warriors will take on rivals Kenya Commercial Bank Lions in a first leg match at Nyayo Stadium from 4pm today.

Both teams are unbeaten in the competition that got underway in April.

Ulinzi Warriors head the table standings with 12 points after winning all their six matches. KCB Lions have also registered five straight victories and are second with 10 points.

The soldiers are still smarting from their loss to the bankers in the regional cup final in Nairobi two months ago.

Lions needed double extra-time to beat determined Tigers of USIU 91-83 last weekend. The bankers, under coach Francis Ngunjiri, are expected to deploy Ikapian Juma, Greg Odera, Tobias Onyango and new-comer Lewis Muya to end the soldiers unbeaten run.

Ulinzi are also still fresh from their 76-62 win over Pirates. Their shooting forwards Moses Shida, Ancette Wafula, Richard Osano are expected to coordinate well with guard Simon Mugambi to strongly defend their clean record.

In other matches, Pirates, led by Griffins Ligare, Emmanuel Sande and Martin Obure, will host visiting Nakuru Club at 2pm.

In Division One, Don Bosco play Nairobi Pentecostal Church at 9am while Java Warriors will lock horns with Telkom from 10.30am.

In Kisumu, Kisumu Lakeside will face stiff challenge when they host Juja-based Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology at noon.

In Mombasa, three-time women’s champions Kenya Ports Authority start as favourites against Telkom at 2pm. The dockwomen, led by scorer Rose Ouma, Gladys Wanyama and Millicent Anyango, have won all their four matches while Telkom are winless in two outings.

Tomorrow in Nairobi, Tigers of USIU-A will return to Nyayo Stadium to meet University of Nairobi Terrorists in a tie they should harvest maximum points at 2pm.

The Flames of USIU-A have an easy assignment against winless University of Nairobi’s Dynamites from 12pm.

In Division One, Lomboritz will tackle Strathmore University from 9am while Sprite Storms play JKUAT in a women’s showdown.

National Coordinator of the 2006 Nestle Milo Secondary Schools’ Basketball Championship has Col. Sam Ahmedu (rtd) have lauded the standard of play in the Savannah and Sahara Conferences of the school championship aimed at discovering new talents for various clubs and the Nigeria national teams.

“Most of the matches in the Savannah and Sahara Conferences have been very competitive. The standard of play has been very impressive. We have seen some good players with great potentials,” said Ahmedu a Board member of the Nigeria Basketball Federation and owner of high-riding Dodan Warriors Basketball Club of Lagos.

Ahmedu who watched the explosive Boys final between Bauchi and Borno at the Multi-purpose Indoor Sports Hall, Bauchi said the winners from the two conferences have very good chances in the national final slated for October in Lagos.

In the Savannah Conference finals played at the Kofar Marta Indoor Sports Hall, Kano, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi College, Kaduna defeated Government College, Katsina 45-23 in the boys’ category, while Government Girls College, Gazawi-Kano defeated Queen Amina College, Kaduna 10-06 in the girls’ cadre.

Meanwhile, expected to represent the Sahara Conference in the national final are Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State (Boys) and Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Bauchi (Girls).

By Gloria Kyomugisha

YMCA Court Flippers v Crane High Lady Bucks v Cubs SPENA v Bush Court Vegetarians v K/Riders KIU v Sadolin Power Jinja SS Court Flammers v KCC Lions Jammers v UCU Mukono SADOLIN Power has a chance to go top of the Yello Max Conference when they play Kampala International University (KIU) in today’s MTN basketball league.
The former league champions have only lost twice in seven games, and are lying fourth with 12 points behind Marines, Falcons and Warriors on the table.
With point guard Ken Balyejusa maturing into a better ball distributor and an accurate three-point shooter, Power’s scoring averages have improved and seem poised for a resounding win against the student team.
Power will not only rely on their guard rotation that includes Balyejusa, Marvin Keronga, Sam Ssebadduka and Charles Dismus, but will also be boosted by a lot of in-depth plays from their front court players Wilbrod Oketcho, Micheal Kariuki, Kasamba and Julius Wapera.
KIU, who are languishing in seventh place on the table, are also expected to be at full strength, and anything less than a victory will be disappointing for the team that is well aware that they are running out of time.
Motivation from Emma Baguma, Makmot Orom, Isaac Afidra and Jeff Mwaniki should give Nimrod Kaboha’s club a fighting chance to revisit the glory days.

The National Basketball league is progressing smoothly with fascinating and sensational encounters at the Manneh Sillah Memorial basketball lawn in Banjul.
The Week-Three fixtures resumed last Tuesday, May 30 with Young Man Christian Association (YMCA) taken on Old Hands. In an exciting encounter on Tuesday, YMCA thrashed their counterparts, Old Hands by 121 to 76 points. On Wednesday, the defending champions, Wallidan also defeated the Bakau side by 80 to 59 points.

Earlier in the week, Wallidan renewed their advantage over YMCA with a 62-53 victory, while Mass Sosseh, on the same day had a walk over Street Jam with a 68-29 victory.

GOVERNMENT College, Maiduguri, Borno State at the weekend outscored top favourites, Government Comprehensive Day Secondary School, Bauchi 67-53 to win the boy's category of the 2006 Nestle Milo Secondary School Basketball championship in the Sahara Conference.

Bauchi State through their representatives in the girl's category, Government Girls College, Bauchi had earlier overpowered hard-fighting Adamawa State representatives, Gen Murtala Mohammed College, Yola 30-27 in a tension-soaked final.

The Borno boys, who have qualified to play in the national final slated for October alongside the Adamawa girls, came strongly determined to carry the day. In fact, the Borno boys were the least favoured, but they fired a warning in their semi-final match against highly favoured Gombe State's Gombe High School when they (Borno) won 27-19 to the surprise of many.Borno boys combined their dribbling skills and technical discipline, to outplay their very aggressive opponents from Bauchi who paid very dearly for their urgentlemanly conduct.

The Bauchi boys ended the final with only two players against Borno's five as the rest were sent off due to maximum technical fouls committed.

Expectedly, Borno boys who entered the final as underdogs were cheered on by the sympathetic crowd eagerly awaiting a major upset. The court was filled with excited players and their supporters when the Borno boys took thehome team to the cleaners in the extra time after the match had tied at 51-51. Borno boys recorded 16 baskets as against Bauchi's 2 in the extra time that looked more or less like a training session.

By Aloysius Byamukama

THE Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (FUBA) is preparing to take action against MTN league side Kampala City Council (KCC) for failure to abide to the rules.

This follows refusal to use jerseys that had the sponosrs logo and later their expulsion of MTN league games from their Nakasero Primary School courts in a letter sent to the federation on June 11.

FUBA's Edmund Lumu told Daily Monitor yesterday that the federation is to meet again for a final decision that could easily be a suspension. " We are waiting for the federation President who was not around during the last (Monday) meeting. But we shall take a decision after contacting the sponsors," said Lumu.KCC team manager Ms Joy Olinga said the purpose of the letter she wrote to FUBA and MTN was not focussed at sabotaging the national league sponsors.

"Our case had been communicated to them (FUBA) but they changed at the last hour. However, we shall take what ever decision they will come up with," said Olinga.

On Saturday, the mayor's ladies were denied playing their league game against Nabisunsa while donning KCC jerseys. Olinga in retaliation wrote a letter explaining their case and suspending the FUBA/MTN league games from the KCC courts. Games have now been shifted to the Makerere pool courts, Crane High and Nabisunsa.

East and Central Africa club champions KCB Lions, national champions Ulinzi Warriors and Co-operative Bank of Kenya over the weekend posted wins in the Premier League matches played at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Lions came from behind to roared past a hard fighting United States International University (USIU) 91-83 in double overtime in a cracking tie.

It was a sad loss for USIU who led for most of the game until the dying minutes. Lions forced a 61-61 tie in regulation time and 72-72 in the second over time to win this pulsating game.

Dennis Opiyo nailed 21 points, Juma Ikapian 24, Tobias Onyango 14 and Paul Oloo 12 for the regional kings.

USIU had Abel Nson with 29, Dan Okwirri 16 and Yoni Wanambiro 15.

National champions Ulinzi Warriors had 30 points from Ancette Wafula as they esaily beat Kenyatta University "Pirates" 76-62.Martin Obure shot 18 and Griffin Ligare 10 for KU.

Co-op, on the other hand needed 24 points from professional peter Kiganya as they whipped winless University of Nairobi "Terrorists" 76-49. The students Ben Ogalo hit 12 points.

Defending women champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) nailed Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) 94-22 behined 25 points from Rose Ouma.

The ports ladies, who also dethroned their rivals in the regional finals in April, also whipped Sprite Storms 61-38 behind Gladys Wanyama's 12 points. Hilda Luvandwa who shot 19.

USIU women ended their dismal run in the league when they stunned Yana 67-65 ina close match.Angela Okoth led with 22 points and Mitchele Otinda added 18.

Yana's Volnet Wanyana pepped her side with 25.

International Christian Center (ICC) beat Coast Youth Club 77-67 behind 16 points from Vito Kote and 13 from Franklin Delano. Robert Mugabe bagged 10 for the losers.

By Dann O'Were

By Nanama Keita

Jatto Ceesay, a Gambian professional player, who plies his route in the Cyprus first division league, has pledged to assist Wallidan basketball teams (male and female teams) with training shoes as part of his contribution to the club.

Jatto Ceesay, one of the best Gambian overseas players, made this pledge during the victory celebration party, organised by the teams' social club in honour of the players last Friday

Jatto, who himself was honoured on the day, said he will, upon his return to Cyprus, get the players of the teams with training shoes. The pledge was received with a great joy by both the officials and players of the team, as evidence in a round up of applause from them.

Jatto Ceesay, who is currently in the country for a season break, was a player with Wallidan football club before going a professional player ten years ago. He featured in big clubs in Belgium and Holland before heading for Cyprus. For the past ten years, he has been the pillar of the Gambian senior team. His absence in The Gambia's second leg game against Senegal in 2003 African Cup qualifiers, to the belief of many fans, contributed to The Gambia's defeat in the hands of her counterparts.

The second edition of the Lagos City league has been put forward by one week due to logistic reason.

The league which was originally schedule to commence this weekend at the sports hall of the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba will now start next weekend while teams that have shown interest in the league are expected to complete registration formalities as stipulated in their letters.

According to chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, LSBBA, Babs Ogunade that the postponement became inevitable because some teams actually pleaded with the association to allow them more time to prepare.

The City league is designed to compliment the national premier league of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF and to provide an atmosphere for non-premier league teams in the state an opportunity to play in an organized competition to prepare for future challenges.

Other major objective of the city league as postulated by the LSBBA top shot is for the discovery of more talent for the state and by extension the country.

The league is to accommodate twelve male teams and six female on a two-leg basis during the regular matches while the top eight in the male and top four in the female goes through to the knock out or playoff stages.

Week-10 fixtures which signal the end of regular season pairing of the Atlantic conference of the Nigeria flagship competition the Vmobile premier league was a delight to watch as all four playoff qualifiers gave a good account of themselves.

The Ebun Comets basketball club and Dodan Warriors basketball club pairing was the better of the two games played at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium last weekend.

The encounter, the second this season between both sides saw the Warriors playing one of their best game of the season when it led from the blast of the referees’ whistle until 4 minutes 51 second left in the game.

With as much as 16 points lead every one had thought that the Owoicho Alexander tutored side was going to carry the day before letting Comets through inspirational and good court leadership of Baba Jibril who later emerged as the most valuable player of the night to size the initiative to end the match 76 points apiece at regulation time.

The over time saw Comets coming out more determined not minding the fact that Warriors shot into an early lead in the first two minutes of the five minutes as the Baba Jibril captained side once again proved to be the better of the two side having won the first encounter 80-70 points to end the days’ game at 87-84 points of 13-13, 09-18, 20-16, 34-29 and 11-08.

...Islanders stetched Union Bank

Playing as if to prove a point that they are better than what people have painted them this season Toyin Sonoiki tutored Islanders held Union Bank to its game taking a 39-37 points half-time lead before succumbing to the Stallion boys as the Union Bank team is also known in the third and fourth quarters dropping one point in each quarters.

The first quarter had ended in favour of the Stallion boy (20-18) with most of its players taking the game calmly as it allows the former league champion to rally back in the second quarter for a score line of 21-17 points before coming out a bit stronger in the third (17-14) and fourth quarter (13-12) for a cumulative scores of 69-67 points.

All four teams have, however, booked the ticket for the July 14 to 16 Atlantic conference playoff billed for Lagos.

Four teams have finally confirmed their places in the play offs stages of the Vmobile Premier Basketball league from the Atlantic Conference as the regular season matches rounded off Sunday at the National Stadium, Lagos.
Union Bank Club, which won the Vmobile Challenge last year, maintained the winners’ position as they lead other teams from the zone into the play offs. The Bankers on Sunday defeated Lagos Islanders 67-64 to stamp their authority on the Atlantic Conference while confirming their place in the elite place. The other teams in the line up for the play off are Ebun Comets, Dodan Warriors and Lagos Islanders.
Customs and Delta Force lost out in the race into the plays season. Delta defeated Customs 59-54 on Friday in their last game of the season but the victory was not enough to see them through. Delta won just three games while the Customs got two to finish at the bottom of the table. The Islanders also won three matches but scaled through on the account of superior head-to-head position over Delta and the Customs.
The following day the Comets and Dodan Warriors played a thriller that finished in over time. The Comets eventually won the game 87-84 in over time. The Warriors were up by nearly 10 points with less than a minute to the end of the game by a technical approach to the last minute from the Comet bench turned the tide. Fans were really thrilled by the play of the two teams.
The matches of the Savannah Conference will continue until Thursday when the final four teams for the play offs will be determined. Kano Pillars, Niger Potters, Bauchi Nets, Yelwa Hawks and Plateau Peaks are in the front run for the four slots that will lead to the first stage of the play off in Kaduna.

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Sunday results
Rhinos 83 Najja High 49
K/Riders 84 Jackets 61
Bucks 54 A-1 Challenge 49
Leopards 100 Nabisunsa 28

Yello Max standings
P W L Pts
Falcons 7 6 1 13
Marines 7 5 2 12
Power 7 5 2 12
Rhinos 7 5 2 12
Warriors 7 5 2 12
Miracle 7 3 4 10
Hawks 7 3 4 10
KIU 7 2 5 9
Stone 8 1 7 9
Najja 7 1 6 8

TELECOMMUNICATIONS giants MTN yesterday handed over 435 sets of kit worth sh23m to the local governing body FUBA for the 2006 basketball season.

Twenty nine teams from the Yello Max, Yello Go and women’s leagues stand to benefit from the kit handover ceremony attended by MTN public relations officer Tina Byaruhanga, FUBA secretary Elliot Bagenda and the MTN assistant promotions and sponsorship manager, Olivia Mbabazi.

“This is a deal that is right for the Uganda basketball fraternity and it underlines the depths they have gone to in order to develop the sport of basketball,” Byaruhanga noted assuringly.

Adding, “we believe the federation’s operations compliment our fan base that will help MTN’s businesses grow around the world.”

“Teams that have cleared their league fees can pick up their kits from the FUBA offices at YMCA, Wandegeya, but we shall retain those for teams that have not paid up yet,” FUBA organising secretary Edmund Lumu said.

By Aloysius Byamukama
Nakasero

Results
Women
Bucks 54 A-1 Challenge 47
KCC 100 Nabisunsa 28
Men
MBC Rocks 00 Courts 20 (w/o)
Riders 84 Blu e Jackets 61
Charging Rhino 76 Najja 47


LADY Bucks' three points shooting was the strategy that propelled them to a 54-47 triumph over A-I Challenge in the MTN basketball game played on Sunday at Nakasero Primary School.

After a slim 23-21 first half lead, with the game close at a 49-47 nerve cracking score, the former winners and record champions needed Flavia Okecho's (pictured right) last minute short from outside the arc and Ingrid Auma's hoop to revenge the 3-1 best of five final series loss last season.

Miriam Birungi, Frances Nabulobi and Grace Amulen all had double three pointers for 13, 12 and 7 points respectively while Ali Mavita, Viola Akuma and Rosette Meya made 10, 9 and 7 points for the defending champions.

Table leaders KCC Leopards made a century score over Nabisunsa Girls to stay top on maximum points from 7 games. Linda Tamale, Becky Akullo, Miriam Hamala and Agatha Baliddawa were all on target with 16, 18, 18 and 20 points while Joyce Zalwango and Dorothy Kyamazima made 7 and 6 points respectively.

In the men's Yello Max, Rhino were 76-47 victors over Najja to revenge last year's 47-42 loss to the High school boys. Richard Okila made 19 points.

From 24 June - 02 July 2006 to be held in Congo the preliminaries of U18 Men for the zone 4. Congo and DR Congo are the first two countries registered in this competition. at the end of this competition, the winner will be qualified for the final round to be held from 28th July to 6th August 2006 in Durban (South Africa).

Niger will host the preliminaries of U18 Men for the zone 3. This competition will be held from 24th to 30th June 2006. Niger and Burkina Faso confirmed their participation. The winner of this competition will be qualified for the final round to be held from 28th July to 6th August 2006 in Durban (South Africa).

Following the withdrawal of certain countries, no preliminaries will be held within the Zones 1, 2 and 5, Libya (Zone 1), Guinea (Zone2) and Kenya (Zone5) are qualified for the final round of the 18th July to the 6th August 2006 in Durban in south Africa.

The Africa Nations Championship U18 for Men will be held from 18th July until 6th August 2006 in Durban (South Africa). Four (04) countries from the 12 expected to take part in this competition are already qualified. They are the best placed teams of the last edition held in 2002. These are: South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Mali.

Durban in South Africa will organise from 29th July to 6th August2006 the 15th Africa Nations Championship U18 for Men.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA
KAMPALA

Results
Men
KCC Lions 79 Kabojja 54
FPAU 52 Lubiri 54
Najja High 30 Stone 49
Women
Lady Bucks w/o KYU Comets
Amazon 41 Crane H 40

Peter Elungat maintained his leading role for Livingstone in their 49-30 win over stubborn Najja High in an MTN League game played on Saturday at Nakasero Primary School.

The small forward's 20 points together with Simon Otine's 12 were enough to give the Makerere University side maximum points in a low scoring Yello Max game.
Despite the win, Livingstone remained mired in the relegation zone with 9 points from 8 games while Najja are bottom.

Elsewhere, Ramathan Busulwa saved Lubiri High from defeat with a last second basket for a tight 54-52 win over Family Planning Association of Uganda (FPAU) while Trevor Ogwang made a game high 25 points as KCC Lions maintained their unbeaten run with a 79-54 win over Kabojja SS.

In the women's category, Judith Nansobya and Hadijja Shaban made 12 and 11 points respectively in Amazon's 51-40 win over Crane High. Hellen Nakijjo's 19 points could not save the Kitintale side from a third consecutive loss.

By EMMA NSEKANABO

Three Rwandan basketball clubs; APR, UGB and AGF, have vowed to halt foreign conquest of the Gisembe Memorial tournament slated for this weekend. The three foreign clubs from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi will be arriving in the country to take part in the memorial event during the course of the week.

The Rwandan trio got engaged in the preliminary battle, where Espoir basketball club bowed out in the event that was designed to produce three qualifiers for the weekend event to be held at Amahoro courts.
After finishing top in the preliminaries on Sunday, APR’s Kenyan coach Cliff Owor said the team was in a good shape to win the two-day tournament.
“I have not encountered the clubs from the DRC as an APR coach, but I am confident we will fight on well. We will go into the tournament to win,” Owor said.
The army side players’ shooting was off during the preliminaries and Owor seem to have recognised the flaw. “We are going to work on accuracy in shooting in our training sessions before the weekend,” added the Kenyan coach, disclosing that his side will resume training today at Camp Kigali.
United Generation Basketball, UGB, coach Jean De Dieu Neziyimana has equally sounded confident ahead of the weekend event. “We will be facing tough teams both at home and outside, we will just play as a team,” he said, adding that the team will step up preparations today at Lycee de Kigali.
AGF is another side to represent Rwanda, but it seems to be having issues to sort out. Coach Prospel Mihigo sounds pessimistic regardless of their good performance in the preliminaries, where they eliminated Espoir. “We cannot speculate what will happen since the team is ill-facilitated. How can the whole team train with one ball?” he queried.

By Gloria Kyomugisha

Amazon 50 Crane High 41
Lady Bucks v Comets (W/O)
Lubiri High 67 FPAU 33
Stone 72 Najja High 41

THE relentless offensive rebounding of Amazon Rhinos helped them complete a 50-41 defeat of Crane High in an MTN basketball league game played at Nakasero courts.
Angela Lokidi and Florence Nanyonga combined for four offensive rebounds in the final two minutes as Amazon rallied for a second season victory.
Lokidi and Nanyonga scored 10 points apiece for Rhinos, who held an 18-4 edge on the offensive boards.
Crane High looked like they would run away early, building a 10-point edge in the second quarter, but Amazon, rallying behind Sarah Shaban’s 15 points, fought to tie the game at 33-33 four minutes into the second half and the battle raged on.
Nanyonga gathered offensive rebounds on each of Amazon Rhinos’ next three possessions, getting fouled thrice and converting three free throws for an eventual nine-point lead.
Immaculate Chocho collected 8 points for Crane who succumbed to their third consecutive loss.

By ALOYSIUS BYAMUKAMA
KAMPALA

Today
Women
Crane High vs Amazon
Men
FPAU vs Lubiri High
KCC Lions vs Kabojja SS
Livingstone vs Najja High

Crane High takes on Amazon Rhino in their last first round game of the MTN League at Nakasero Primary School today. The Kitintale based school girls are vying for a position among the first five women teams to remain in the top-flight campaign.

The Burundi pair of Florence Kalume and Laisah Kantungeko are expected to return after missing the last two outings. Team coach Justus Mugisha is optimistic his young team can make it past Amazon.

"We shall play Amazon with all the respect but our aim is to win and get maximum points," Mugisha said. In the men's Yello Max, Najja High faces Livingstone while KCC Lions take on Kabojja Secondary School in a Division II thriller.

By Patrick Ssentongo
Kampala

OVER 16 schools converge this weekend at St Micheal SS in Namugongo for a two-day basketball tournament.

The bonanza will also attract national basketball boys and girls champions Kabojja and Kibuli SS respectively.

Namugongo, Ndejje, Buddo SS and newcomers Seeta High will also be out to battle for top honours at the event.

LEAGUE STANDINGS AS AT 5 JUNE, 2006
Compiled by the respective regions

SOUTHERN ZONE

P W L F A PTS

NAPSA Hurricanes 7 6 1 454 382 13
Green Eagles 7 6 1 567 369 13
UNZA Pacers 7 5 2 414 354 12
Newspaper Direct Heroes 7 4 3 422 392 11
LCC Looters 6 4 2 373 309 10
Green Buffaloes 6 3 3 391 326 9
Barclays Magic 7 2 5-1 278 323 8
Junior Hurricanes 7 1 6 366 527 8
Hawks 5 1 4 196 331 6
Lusaka Kings 6 1 5-1 240 359 6
L/Stone Police Hookers 1 0 1 41 81 1


FEMININE DIVISION

P W L F A PTS

Nets 6 6 0 284 195 12
Green Buffaloes 7 5 2 373 291 12

LCC Lootresses 6 3 3 251 247 9

Shells 7 2 5 325 327 9

UNZA Honeys 6 0 6 148 318 6


NORTHERN ZONE

MASCULINE DIVISION

P W L W/O FOR AGA PTS
FIRST QUANTUM NETs 6 6 0 0 669 295 12
HETRO BULLETS 6 5 1 0 446 168 11
LECHWE STEEL 6 4 2 0 335 352 10
CEC SPURS 6 2 4 0 272 467 8
LUANSHYA EAGLES 5 3 2 0 195 266 8
SIMBA 4 2 1 1 138 185 6
CBU COMETS 4 1 3 0 141 181 5
CLIPPERS 4 0 2 2 99 250 4
KONKOLA TROTTERS 2 0 1 1 45 94 2
MUFULIRA MAGNETS 2 0 1 1 29 53 2


FEMININE DIVISION

P W L W/O FOR AGA PTS

CEC QUEENS 4 4 0 0 144 55 8

NDOLA WOOSTERS 4 3 1 0 154 82 7

MUFULIRA SAINTS 2 1 0 1 39 44 3

CBU ROBINS 2 0 2 0 42 65 2

LECHWE GIRLS 2 0 2 0 40 118 2

KONKOLA ANGELS 2 0 1 1 9 80 2





M D Kaona
GENERAL SECRETARY

By Phionah Mwadilo

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s basketball team will represent Kenya in the Africa Feminine Club Championships from September 10 to 17 in Libreville, Gabon.

KPA qualified for the event after dethroning champions, Sprite Storms, 58-49 in the final match of the East and Central Africa Championships last month.

Coach Sammy Wanjohi on Thursday said the team started training immediately after the regional event held in Nairobi.

Wanjohi said the players are in great shape and hoping to do better.

He said the team would use the league matches and the Kenya Communications Sports Organisation Games, in August, to prepare for the event.

"We have organised several buildup matches against the boys’ teams — Mombasa Baptist and Shimo-la-Tewa High School — as build-upmatches," he said.

by Olusegun Ikuesan

Basketball clubs in Lagos metropolises are in last minute rush to beat the June 14 deadline for registration for the second edition of the Lagos City league billed to commence on June 17 at the sports hall of the Lagos State Sports Council, Rowe Park, Lagos.

According to the Chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association, Babs Ogunade, who disclosed that league could only accommodate twelve male teams and six for female for proper organisation and coordination.

Nigeriasports.com investigation shows that about sixteen male teams have indicated interest in being part of the league which might enjoys the support of corporate organisation in and around Lagos State.

The former Nigeria international said emphatically that the city league which is meant to compliment the nation flagship competition the premier league and the national women league will witness an unprecedented patronage from corporate organizations as no fewer than six multinational have indicated interest in the league.

Ogunade, disclosed that the league will take off as planned even when none of the companies that have shown interest in the league have put pen on paper.

The City league is designed to last for three months with the organizers, LSBBA determined to bring freshness into basketball competition in Nigeria by adopting the playoff style of determining the champion.

To this end the first eight top teams in the male category goes through to the next stage while the first four in the women cadre slugs it out for the diadem.

Referee/coaches clinic will precede the starting of the league so as to update the referees and coaches with the rule that govern the game.

Petro de Luanda might conquer this Friday the 28th edition of the National Senior Male Basketball Cup, if they defeat Interclube at 28 de Fevereiro pavilion, in the last round of the championship.

After the double victory against their main opponents Interclube and 1º de Agosto, Petro de Luanda need only two points to dethrone 1º de Agosto, title holder in the last six years.

Story by CHRIS MUSUMBA


Maseno High from Western, the current schools basketball champions, have been awarded automatic entry to this year's Africa Nations under-18 men's championships in Durban, South Africa.

This follows the withdrawal of rivals from the preliminary tournament that was to be staged in the country. Kenya hence secured direct qualification from Zone Five after Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Egypt pulled out. Other countries that will benefit from the withdrawal of their rivals in respective zones include Libya (Zone One) and Guinea in Zone Two.

The finals are to be held in Durban from July 18 to August 6. Four countries received byes to the finals. These are South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Mali. The four were seeded after the last tournament in 2002. A total of 12 teams will take part in the tournament.

Fiba-Africa have also announced the venue of this year's edition of the Africa women's club cup championship as Libreville, Gabon from September 10 to 17. Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman Agina Wesonga confirmed the announcement saying Kenya would be represented by Kenya Ports Authority who are also the current national Premier League champions.

KPA will face a tough task trying to wrestle the title from the grips of Djoliba of Mali. Somo of Gabon, will be the host representative. The men's tournament venue and dates are yet to be announced.

"KPA are geared up for the task," Wesonga said.

By Aloysius Byamukama
Kampala

THE Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) technical committee is set to divide the women's division of the MTN sponsored league into two conferences.

Technical committee Chairman Yusuf Nkutu told Daily Monitor that the ten teams will be grouped according to their performance after the first round of the ongoing league.

"We are aiming at creating competition that will improve the women's basketball in the country," Nkutu said.

According to the arrangements, the first five finishers on the table will form the top super women's league conference while the last five will be named lower division.
The super conference sides will also race for the crown and against relegation while the last five will struggle for promotion to the top.

Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards is in pole position on maximum points from 6 games, followed by Makerere Sparks and defending champions A-I Challenge who have gathered 11 and 10 points respectively.

Former champions Lady Bucks are trailing in seventh position with 7 points but have played fewer games (4) than other teams.

By Gloria Kyomugisha
Men
KIU 67 Miracle 61
Marines 103 Najja High 41
MBC Rocks 65 K/Riders 56
Bush Court 79 Heaters 72
Women
Bucks 77 Nabisunsa 50

Yello Max
league standings
P W L Pts
Marines 8 6 2 14
Falcons 7 6 1 13
Warriors 7 5 2 12
Power 7 5 2 12
Miracle 8 3 5 11
Hawks 7 3 4 10
KIU 7 3 4 10
Rhinos 5 3 2 8
Stone 7 0 7 7
Najja 5 0 5 5

KAMPALA International University had their best game ever, pinning Miracle in the fourth quarter to post a 67-61 victory in their MTN basketball league first round tie. Isaac Afidra had 28 points and grabbed 8 rebounds while Makmot Orom added 10 points and Adam Kakuru had seven points, but it was a smothering defense in the fourth quarter that made the difference.
KIU, never a team known for a strong defense, held Miracle to a season-low 8 points in the second quarter and only 10 points in the fourth as they recorded their third consecutive victory.
Chris Kyebambe and James Kirabo netted 14 and 10 points respectively for Miracle, which was seeking its fourth win of the season.
In other games, Bonface Okello and Albert Aciko combined for 43 points to earn Nkumba-Marines a bounce-back 103-41 victory over Najja High.

The weekend matches of the Vmobile Premier Basketball finished to a thrill with all three matches in Lagos living up to their ratings. Victories for Union Bank and Dodan Warriors means that they are leading the Atlantic Conference teams into the play-off with just one game left in the regular season. Union Bank defeated Ebun Comets 77-73 on Saturday while Dodan Warriors defeated Delta Force 83-71 the following day. Both matches kept the Sports Hall of the National Stadium electrified. Before those games, Customs handed Lagos Islanders 69-61 defeated in what was the second win in as many nine games.
On Saturday fans entered the hall with open mind, as it was quite difficult predicting the winner of that game following the pattern most games have followed in the Atlantic Conference this season. The game was truly predictable as the Union Bank team won the first two quarters while the Comets took control of the last two. What separated the two teams was the fact that Comets took control very late and even as they charged back the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the night Edem Ekpeyong of Union Bank produced a series of hook shots off quality back door drives. But whatever the result both teams are already through to the play off stage with Union Bank topping the conference.
The Warriors, Delta Force match was a carryover of their last game in Asaba, which was abandoned but awarded to Dodan Warriors on technical grounds. On Sunday they started out on near equal note and played in that style until the last quarter before the Warriors took control and won the game by 12points.
“Delta Force played well and I have come to believe that if they stay together this season, they could give many teams trouble. I had actually underrated them but they have proved otherwise with their outings,” an analyst told THISDAY after the game.
But even though Warriors won the match, Kingsley Agwara of Delta Force set a regular season record with 37 points in the game but the awesome high score could not save his team from defeat. No other player has scored that high in Atlantic Conference.
With the result, Dodan Warriors are running steady at the second position with one game to go. They were tied with Comets until they walked out on their game in Asaba and have now followed by a defeat in the hands of Union Bank. Delta Force are yet to get a place in the play off and will most likely not qualify for that next level.

The Cowbell Top Six Tournament kicked off with action-filled start last Tuesday with four teams battling each other to advance to the final stages of the competition.

The five-day competition which is being staged at the Lebanon House in Accra saw Braves of CEPS lashing Flames by 104-49 in the opening game.

The game which was one-sided saw Braves dominating with accurate shots and three pointers from the likes of captain Emmanuel Quaye, Suku Muntari, Baniba Dodzie and Seth Okine.

Yotive also stole a slim victory from Warriors in the second game which recorded a relatively low scoreline of 46-42.

Due to the high-tension nature of the game both teams wasted several good chances. Poor visibility at the latter stages of the game, however, affected smooth play.

The Greater Accra Basketball Association Chairman, Mr Vanderpuye Orgle, told the Daily Graphic that he was impressed with the performance of Braves in particular.

“I just hope that the competition will get stiffer as it advances to enable them to raise the level of competition in the tournament,” he said.

The action continues this afternoon at the Lebanon House with Reformers facing Braves in Group A while Yotive play Wizards in Group B.

IT wasn’t too pretty although the victors know that they have covered some lost ground, bringing new twists to the Women’s and Men division 1A championships.

Until Baya remain consistent in their performances, they will always have lingering doubts about challenging Premium Cobras and PLS Hawks for the top flight title. Allowing short-handed MBU Rockers to stop a four-game losing streak with an upset 60-59, Baya who had made their intention known with victory over Premium Cobras, have gone from good to bad.
As for the Rockers, last Saturday’s performance will go a long way in making them believe in themselves for the remainder of the championship.

A second defeat in only seven matches played in the league is a record not usually attributed to PLS Hawks. But it’s a fact and with no one having to tell them, the team know that they have to come out stronger and grittier in their remaining matches if they want to retain their Men division 1A title.

Premium Cobras’ 78-68 win over defending champions PLS Hawks have given them the edge over their main rivals but team manager Roy Collie has said that “our task has become more difficult as all our opponents play tough against us.”

The women’s league is a wide open affair now with Bel Air having claimed the scalps of Anse Etoile Stars who dethroned them as champions last year.

But despite the 42-47 loss, the Stars have taken over top spot from Hot Shots while Bel Air are third. All three teams boast 11 points after five wins and a defeat apiece, but the positions are being decided on the head-to-head rule.

Defeats for both Stars and Baya have left coach Michel Malbrook with a lot of questions to answer and among them “is defeat contagious?”

Bel Air 47 ... Anse Etoile Stars 42

After their surprise loss to Hot Shots, Bel Air chose Saturday’s fixture against reigning champions Anse Etoile Stars to make their way back in the championship fight.
Coach Robinson Boniface’s team overcame a poor third quarter during which they scored just four points compared to the Stars’ 13 to inflict a first defeat in six games on the champions.

Lindy Aglaé scored seven of her 11 points in the fourth quarter helping Bel Air to their fifth win. Burtina Désir and Thrya Boniface were Bel Air’s two other players in double digits with 11 points apiece.

Although Malagasy Lalatiana Razaiarisoa finished with only four points, she was instrumental in her team’s win as she drew double-teams thus freeing her teammates who had some open shots.

L’enjeu of the match was of a high importance that it was a rare scene to see two female players - Bel Air’s veteran Jeanine Lawen and Star’s Lindy Mathiot - almost exchange punches. In the end, Lawen was punished by umpire Steve Hoareau who hit her with a technical foul with 40 seconds left in the third quarter.

The Stars really missed the inside presence of skipper Simone Malbrook who left the match early with a knee injury and with just four points.

With four 3-pointers for a joint game-high 12 points along with Geneviève Beaudoin, Dynah Louis tried to save her team in the dying minutes but when she rushed her shots it did not do anything good for the Stars.

Having beaten Hot Shots 71-28, the Stars are top while the Anse Boileau-based team are second after their 48-38 defeat of third-placed Bel Air.

Premium Cobras 78… PLS Hawks 68

With playmaker Thomas Collie serving the first of a four-match ban to add to the absences of Bernard Bristol, Neddy Fanchette (long term bans), Jefferson Nganga (retired) and Stephen Omony (still in his native land Uganda), PLS Hawks knew that playing a full-squad Premium Cobras was a tall order.

Having twice defeated their arch-rivals in last year’s best-of-three Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup final with an under-strength team, PLS Hawks had a lot of self-belief which in the end was not enough to see them prevail.

After winning the first quarter 20-12, PLS Hawks went for the break with a five-point lead (35-30), but when Premium Cobras decided to press harder on the accelerator they failed to follow the rhythm, losing the third and fourth quarters 28-15 and 20-18.

With two wins over PLS Hawks since taking over from Steve Hoareau as Premium Cobras’ head coach at the start of the season, Jude Talma does not want to rest on his laurels.

“We are not happy with our performance today (Saturday) although we won,” he told Sports Nation.

Captain James Beier top-scored for Premium Cobras with19 points, Nigerian playmaker Mohamed Ozegya added 17 while Lenny Aglaé made a 14-point contribution.

Coming off the bench to replace Jim Domingue who fouled out with seven points Rodney Lozé had a huge game for PLS Hawks with 27 points as he joined forces with influential centre Barry Baron (17 points) to control the offensive and defensive boards.

In the end, the two big men’s combined 44 points were not enough to prevent PLS Hawks from losing a match with just four 3-pointers made. But PLS Hawks’ coach Tony Juliette remains confident saying “everything will be decided in the second-round match-up.”

MBU Rockers 60 … Baya 59

Baya need to start to re-focus otherwise they will miss the boat.
With just seven players, coach Malbrook, who was missing Nigerian Ugoh who is out of the country, could not motivate his team who lost three of the four quarters and the game against a determined MBU Rockers who rocked them all the way.

Playmaker and skipper Nigel Sinon had the hot hands for the Rockers with 21 points and Ryan Volcère added 13 for the team who have three players out for their involvement in a brawl.

With 19 points, centre Robert Léon was the best scorer for Baya who have 10 points after four wins and two defeats.
MBU Rockers stay bottom with six points after their first win.

G. G.

By Dann O’were

Runda blanked Trail Blazers 72-53 in an exciting Nairobi Basketball Association league match at the Railways Club over the weekend.
The victors fielded veteran players Morris Aluanga, Noel Goevene, Ken Ondiek, John "West" Kinyua, Robert Nyasimi and Ronny Owino, who showed little mercy for the blazers.
At the break, the victors were already 34-29 up, despite an impressive performance from Blazers’ centre Steve "Chief" Okwako.
Runda’s Ben Oluoch and Dan Nalwenge, who were all in outstanding form, were responsible for most of the damage.
Oluoch led with 28 points, while Goevene sunk a further 9 points. Ondiek added another 9.
Blazers’ Okwako managed 18 points, but were insufficient to salvage his side from defeat. In another match, Geoffrey Ocholla’s 22 points helped Langata Crusaders to romp to a 50-30 victory over Yassets Mercenaries, while Team Jam’s Jerry Rawlings bagged 22 points in a 75-47 win over Catholic Dream Team.
Africa Nazarane University pipped Outsidaz 49-44 in a closely fought duel. The varsity side’s Sam Wamantahi and Outsidaz’s Zachariah Mwangi both managed 13 points in the nail-biting encounter.
In the ladies’ matches, Kenyatta University (KU) "Oryx" ran rings over Africa Nazarene University when they crushed them 69-10 in a one-sided encounter.
KU’s Lucy Wanjiku hit 18 points, Linda Likoko added another 16, while Fridah Kajuju scored 15.
In another match, Lepishoi Surtan hit 10 points to lead Nairobi Pentecostal Church to a 40-36 victory over Mennonmites, who had 12 from Florence Mbithe.

By Aloysius Byamukama & Daniels N. Tatya
Kampala

ISAAC Afidra was very instrumental last Sunday when he spurred his side Kampala International University (KIU) side to beat Miracle in a league game at YMCA courts, in Wandegeya.Afidra’s game high 30 points assisted his club secure a weekend win against Miracle in a game that went 67-61 for KIU. The Kansanga based side have now registered a third win and stepped up hopes of reaching the last four for the play-offs this season. Markmot Orom added another 9 points for KIU while Chris Kyebambe and James Kirabo made 14 and 10-points for Miracle respectively.Marines who were shocked in the first match by Warriors (58-48) on Saturday, had every reason to smile when they totally walloped their opponents Najja High 103-41.Bush courts also beat Makerere Youth Heaters 79-72, and Knight Riders beat Young Marines 65-56. In the women’s category, former champions Lady Bucks beat Nabisunsa . The league is sponsored bu MTN Uganda.

By Aloysius Byamukama
Kampala

Men

Falcons v Najja

Jackets v Vegetarians

Jammers v SPENA

Warriors v Marines

Women

KCC Leopards v Comets

Crane High v Bucks

MTN basketball league men's defending champions Nkumba University Marines take on Kyambogo Warriors in what promises to be a thriller at the YMCA courts this evening.

The Kyambogo based Warriors have established them selves as capable title challengers, following a remarkable improvement in the top-flight Yello Max campaign.

They for the first reached the play offs last season and with the likes of Brian Gumisiriza, Brian Rugyendo, Ambrose Tashobya, Ronnie Kaseu and reining league's top marksman Steven Okias, the side has shown their need for more by taming title hopefuls Sadolin Power 73-65 last weekend.
However, the Entebbe side aims at winning the game to go top of the Yello Max table. They have been boosted by the return of MVP Norman Blick (pictured above) whose combination with new signing Salim Ali will be a menace for Warriors.

Former champions Falcons take on Najja High, while Blue Jackets and promoted Vegetarians meet in the Yello Go conference.

In the women's category, title hopefuls Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards take on debutants Kyambogo University Comets as former champions Lady Bucks return against Crane High-Kitintare. Action in the MTn League continues tomorrow.

The Nigeria Men's Basketball team, D' Tigers will take on their world championship bound counterparts Turkey, Slovenia and Lebanon in a four-nation invitational tournament scheduled to hold between July 26th - 30th July in Ankara, Turkey.

The tournament, according to Chairman Technical Committee of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Col. Sam Amedu is part of the tune up matches lined up for the team preparatory to the FIBA World Championship campaign in Japan.

Amedu disclosed that 15 players selected from the team's second phase camping in Vegas, USA will make the trip to Turkey.

The team, he said will commence its first phase camping on June 17th - 1st July in Dallas, USA with 32 invited players, while the second phase has been scheduled to begin from July 8th - 23rd July also in USA.During the second phase, the team will play 7 friendly games with the USA Dream Team, Puerto Rico, Houston Rockets, Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets.

The third phase of the camping he added will hold between August 6th - 13th in Dallas, USA where the Sam Vincent lads will play another 2 friendly games. 15 players are expected to make he final selection for the World Championship which hold from August 19 - 3rd September.

Meanwhile, 3 home-based players have been invited to camp along with their 29 foreign-based counterparts. The players are AbdulRahaman Moh, Ejike Ugboaja and Edem Louis of Union Bank.

The camp of the Islanders Basketball club was at the weekend thrown into confusion following their disappointing 64 -70 defeat suffered in the hands of Dodan Warriors Basketball team.

While Players and officials of the Lagos-based side watched with disbelief after their loss last Friday, Islanders Coach boss Toyin Sonoiki, who was full of rage at the end of the tension soaked encounter played at the Indoor Sports Hall National Stadium, lambasted the players for being defiant to his game plan and instructions before the game.

"I don't know what kind of background training my players had, because I can see that they are finding it difficult to play to a simple game plan" he fumed.

The coach however cautioned on his team failure to pick a qualification slot for the play-offs, declaring that the players need to rededicate their heart to the task at hand.

"I don't know anything about play-offs for now. How do I qualify for the play-offs with this kind of players and their attitude? We are not going to qualify for the play-offs like this, I don't think so. Unless the players ask that question themselves" he said.

The coach Toyin Sonoiki tutored former league champion was the better of the two side in the early part of the game cutting the fast pace Warriors to size but soon cave in the last minutes of the third quarter thus allowing the Owoicho Alexander coached Warriors to take the lead and refused to look back until the final whistle.
Meanwhile, Warrior Coach Owoiche expressed confidence of his team to give other contenders in the final play-offs a run for the title.

According to the youthful coach new improved Warriors will be unfolded for the play-offs, adding that the target of his team is the league shield.

On paper, Union Bank, Warriors, Comet and Islanders are through to the Conference play-offs.

THE Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has defended the list of 56 players invited for the men and women world championships holding later in the year in Japan and Brazil respectively.

Secretary General of the Federation, Segun Akinlotan while reacting to the choice of the invited players argued that the players' current form and experience were the criteria used for their invitation.

According to him, the invited players are the best the country can present for the world championships which he described as a big tournament.

"We'll know that the world championship is a big competition where only the best of the participating teams are expected to feature and exhibit their skills.

"Therefore any country wishing to do well at the championship must go with her best. It's based on this fact that the players were considered for the call up," he said.

However, Benjamin Eze, who was a key member of men's team to Algiers 2005 Nations Cup and the World Championship qualifiers was omitted from the 32 man list made up of 27 foreign based players and five home-based players.

Some of the lucky players who made the list include Olumide Oyedeji, Chamberlain Oguche, Julius Nwosu, Gabe Muoneke, Imeh Udoka, Tunji Awojobi, Jeff Varem, Ekenna Ibekwe, Kingsley Ogwudire Badmus Ibrahim and Uche Echefu.

Others are Campbell Folarin, Abdulrahman. Mohammed, Abdullahi Kuso, Ayinde Ubaka, Obiora Nnadi, Deji Akindele, Kelechi Azubuike, Josh Akogun, Churchill Ordia, Ndudi Ebi, Sani Ibrahim, Michael Ume, Edem Louis and Ejike Ugbuaja.

The first phase of their camping exercise which will hold in Dallas later this month will last for two weeks while the second phase will hold in Las Vegas between July 8 and 23.Also the women's camping exercise which will kick off on July 15 in Houston, Texas, USA will have 24 players in attendance.

The lucky players include Mfom Udoka, Abi Olajuwon, Mactabene Amachree, Itoro Umoh, Mercy Okorie, Christine Ibekwe, Sandra German, Oluchi Eze, Chioma Udeaja.

Others are, Funmi Ojelabi, Amaka Adebili, Funke Adedeji, Mary Apiafi, Mobolaji Akiode, Julie Obekpa and Ekume James.

Varsity Leopards is the new Zimbabwe women champion, after beating Cameo in the final by 68-60. In third place Queenes who have beat Jeweles by 33-29.

In a final phase very rough, Cameo, Jeweles, Giants and Kingdon Cavaliers, played the semi finals.
In the first Cameo beats Kingdon by 49-44.
In the second Jewels beats Giants 52-47.
And in the final games:
for 3º and 4º - Kingdon beat Giants easly 69-32
and in the great final Cameo beat Jewels 50-37.

John Waruru of Co-op Bank goes for a basket as Victor Okoth (right) of Ulinzi warriors, tries to stop him during their league match at Nyayo Stadium at the weekend. Pic by Robert Gicheru

By Aloysius Byamukama
Kampala

MTN Basketball League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick is back in action for defending champions Nkumba University Marines.

The touring small forward who since December 2005 has been at Al-Rayyan-Qatar trying out professional basketball, made a positive impact for Marines' 82-79 nail biting win over Charging Rhinos.
RETURNING STAR: Norman Blick is back at Marines Photo by Eddie Chicco.

However, his presence at league champions Marines has sparked off protests from local players, team officials and fans.
They are questioning his legibility to feature in two leagues.

"I think it's unfair because according to press reports, he is in Qatar and he recently made 10 points for his side in the league," Rhinos' Mande Juruni said.

But when contacted, Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) technical committee Chairman Yunus Nkutu said that there is no clear evidence for now to stop the player.

"Unless it is proved that he is playing in another league, we have no authority to stop him for now," Nkutu said.

Blick, whose season in Qatar is in recess due to the basketball World Cup in Japan, told Daily Monitor that he is allowed to play since he has not transferred. The Marines are third on the Yello Max table with 11 points from 6 games, behind record champions Falcons on the goal average.
Sadolin Power lead at 12 points from 7 game