Basketball in Africa

By Dann O’were

Former national basketball champions, Posta, are returning to competitive matches after an eight-year absence.
The "Athletic Mailmen", as the team was fondly known, will play their first game in the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) league on April 21.
NBA fixtures secretary, Joseph Amoko, said yesterday that Posta have joined the league, becoming the first high profile side to feature at the provincial level.
"It’s true that Posta have joined NBA and I am drawing up fixtures that will see them play their first game on the opening day," he said.
Approached for comment, team coach Ronny Owino, said the former four-time national kings were back.
"Yes, we are back in the league and with the support of the management, we will do well," said Owino.
Posta, the Kenya Communications Sports Organisation champions, won their first league title in 1989.
In 1990, they represented the country in the Africa Club Championships where they were drawn against National SC of Egypt.
Posta won the first leg at Kasarani 87-86, but lost the away tie in Cairo two weeks later 67-94 to bow out of contention.
Posta made history by becoming the first club to win three national titles in a row — 1992, 93 and 94. Owino is also the head coach of the men and women’s national teams. Posta has produced many top international players and some left for college basketball in the US.
Sebastian Onyango, Ben Wanjara, Ronny Swaka, Elvis Ochieng, Geoffrey Ohaga and Sylvester Kainga went to the US and Agrey Ofula and Ilunga Kipundu to South Africa.

Other key players are national coach George Ogolla and Mike Kimani.