Basketball in Africa

Coach Thomas Smatts Olumbo, Head Coach Telkom Kenya (Ladies) and Co-operative Bank (Men’s) basketball teams has proved that he’s the ultimate basketball coach in the country, following his turning around of teams in recent years. The captivating, soft-spoken but authoritative and strict coach has managed to turn around Telkom’s fortunes following a disastrous 2004 season which they finished 6th overall in women’s premier league, guiding them all the way to the 2006 league Championship, dethroning Kenya Ports Authority-KPA who had won 4-years in a row. To add, Olumbo has also managed to do the same to former four time champions Co-operative Bank, and despite falling short of a championship, they have been in the last two League Finals (2005-2006) where they were eliminated by reigning champions Ulinzi Warriors. Olumbo is also the Head coach of the women's National team, whose success over the last decade has always made the basketball fraternity and the country proud.

Coach Thomas Smatts Olumbo’s Profile:

Current:
Head Coach: Telkom Kenya in the Women's Premier League
Head Coach: Co-operative Bank in the Men's Premier League
Head Coach: Kenya Women's National Team
Head Coach: Nairobi City Combined Team

Coaching Profile:
1991-1995: Head Coach –Barclays Eaglets (women)
1992-1996: Assistant Coach Kenya Posts and Telecommunications KPTC (men)
1997-1999: Head Coach Co-operative Bank (men)
2000-2002: Head Coach Barclays Eagles (men)
1999- To Date: Head Coach Telkom Kenya (women)
2005- To Date: Head Coach Co-operative Bank (men)

International Engagements:
1995: National Team at Feminine Zone Five qualifying Championships (Egypt)
1997: Co-operative Bank at East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships (Uganda)
1997: National Team at Feminine Championships (Nairobi Kenya)
1998: Co-operative Bank at East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships (Tanzania)
1998: Co-operative Bank at Africa Club Championships (Egypt)
1999: Co-operative Bank at East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships (Zambia)
1999: Co-operative Bank at Africa Club Championships (Nairobi Kenya)
2000: National Team at East, Central and Southern Africa National Championships (Seychelles)
2001: Telkom Kenya at Africa Club championships (Mozambique)
2001: National Team at East, Central and Southern Africa National Championships (Tanzania)
2002: National Team at East, Central and Southern Africa National Championships (Uganda)
2003: National Team at Zone Five Qualifying Championships (Nairobi Kenya)
2003: National Team at All Africa Games (Abuja Nigeria)
2005: National Team at East, Central and Southern Africa National Championships (Kampala Uganda)
2006: Co-operative Bank at East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships (Nairobi Kenya)
2006: Nairobi Team: Champions Inter-Cities Championships (Kampala Uganda)



Achievements:
1990: Player Kenya Posts and Tele Communications KP&TC: Premier League Champions
1992: Assistant coach KP&TC Premier League Champions
1993: Assistant Coach KP&TC : Premier League Champions
1994: Assistant Coach KP&TC: Premier League Champions
1997: Head Coach Co-op Bank: Premier League Champions
1997: Head Coach Co-op Bank: Champions East, Central and Southern Africa Club
1997: Assistant Coach National Team: 4th position Feminine championships
1998: Head Coach Co-op Bank: Premier League Champions
1998: Head Coach Co-op Bank: Champions East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships
1999: Head Coach Co-op Bank: Runners-up East, Central and Southern Africa Club Championships
2000: Head Coach Telkom Kenya: Premier League Champions
2000: Head Coach National Team: Champions East, Central and Southern Africa Championships
2001: Head Coach Telkom Kenya: Premier League Champions
2002: Head Coach Telkom Kenya: Runners-up Premier League
2002: Head Coach National Team: Champions East, Central and Southern Africa Championships
2003: Head Coach Telkom Kenya: Runner-up Premier League
2003: Head Coach National Team: 4th Position All Africa Games
2005: Head Coach Co-operative Bank: Runners-up Premier League
2006: Head Coach Co-operative Bank: Runners-up Premier League
2006: Head Coach Telkom Kenya: Champions Premier League