07 June 2006
KENYA : Maseno gain automatic entry into Africa show
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.
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.
# posted by afrbk : 15:33
