Basketball in Africa

By Dann O'were
Nairobi

Provincial league star Ben Oluoch is among 40 players named by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) yesterday to start training for the Senior Challenge Cup show in Kigali, Rwanda in November.

Oluoch, a former Postbank guard now playing for Nairobi Basketball Association side, Runda, is the only player from the lower division picked by the selection panel.The bankers, former Premier League side and also 2003 East and Central Africa club champions, folded early this year, forcing players to move to other clubs. KBF chairman, Agina Wesonga, while releasing the provisional squad, told SportFest: "We had a meeting with the vice chairman and the competions secretary and we agreed with the selection."

He said that KBF will meet this week to agree on the team's training programmes. He named coaches Francis Ngunjiri, Gitau Waringo and Sammy Wanjohi to handle the men's side.

Thomas Olumbo, Ben Oluoch and Anthony Ojukwu will be the tacticians handling the ladies team. Kenya women are the defening champions.The Players:

Men: Ben Oluoch (Runda),Dan Okwirri, Yoni Wanambiro (USIU), Richard Osano, Ancette Wafula, Vincent Ambani, Moses Shida, Victor Odendo and John Apollo (Ulinzi). Lewis Muiya, Patrick Kirui, Greg Odera, David Otiso, Paul Oloo, Juma Ikapian (KCB). Cliff Ochieng, Peter Kiganya, Dan Gaiko, Furaha Odari (Co-op), Eugene Genga (UoN) and Nelson Njau (ICC).

Women: Angela Luchivya, Hilda Luvandwa, Evalyn Kedogo, Lorraine Achieng , Salma Anyango(Storms).Caroline Achieng, Joyce Makungu, Eunice Ouma, Caroline Arato, Mwajuma Suleiman, Rebecca Sarange (Telkom). Mirriam Awuor, Millicent Anyango, Yvonne Akinyi, Gladys Wanyama (KPA). Angela Okoth, Samba Mjomba (USIU), Volnet Wanyama, Caroline Achieng (Yana).