Basketball in Africa

Junior community basketball groups marked the 2007 Africa Malaria Day by participating in a U-17 basketball tournament, organised by Another Level Sports Associates-ALSA at Kariokor Estate in Nairobi . The event, which attracted U-17 and U-14 teams from Eastleigh, Komarock, Kayole, Shauri Moyo and Kariokor Estates, saw the juniors compete for basketball wards as they got the message of Preventing- Controlling- and Treating Malaria: Africa's Biggest Killer of Children.

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya . It is endemic in 40 districts and epidemic in 16 districts in the country. It is estimated that over 70 per cent of Kenya 's population is exposed to the risk of contracting Malaria, whereby over 3.5 million children below the age of five years remain at risk. It is further estimated that a child suffers 3 to 5 episodes of Malaria per year, and over 35,000 children below age five die each year from direct consequences of Malaria. This translates to an average of 94 children in a day. Health is a basic right! Help Fight Malaria by making Kenya a Malaria Free Nation. Lets all partner to Prevent-Control-Treat Malaria.

The event was graced by Kenya NGO Alliance Against Malaria- KeNAAM CEO; Mr. Gerald Mwangi -Walterfang, Friends of ALSA represented by Mr. Steve Olweny, Yvonne Agengo, Matilda Makatiani, and Mildred Malubi, Africa's Promise officials David Maina and Oscar Ayomi, and USIU Ladies Basketball team players; Sarah Chan, Brenda Mose, Bernice Wambugu and Foda Michael.

Team Eliabo from Eastleigh won the U-14 category as Nairobi Christian Centre Eastleigh-N.C.C.E finished 1 st runners-up, while Shauri Moyo Baptist team won the closely contested U-17 category as Eastleigh 's Eliabo came second.

Awards:

Most Valuable Player-MVP Girls: Georgia Merab (Kariokor Saints)
Most Valuable Player-MVP Boys: Martin Mugambi (Eliabo U-14 Team)
Most Promising Player-MPP Girls: Mercy Adhiambo (Kayole U-14)
Most Promising Player-MPP Boys: Benson Mukuna (Kayole U-14)
Coach Appreciation: Julian Ongoma (Kayole Basketball Team)
Sponsor Appreciation: Steve Olweny ( Dubai )

U-14 Category Standings
1. Eliabo U-14 Team (Winners)
2. Nairobi Christian Centre Eastleigh-N.C.C.E (Runners-up)
3. Kariokor Saints
4. Kayole U-14 Team

U-17 Category Standings
1. Shauri Moyo Baptist (Winners)
2. Eliabo Team (Runners-up)
3. Hoop Team “B” Komarock
4. Hoop Team “A” Komarock
5. Kayole U-17 Team

Full Results:

U-14
Kariokor 16 vs. Kayole 10
Eliabo 17 vs. N.C.C.E 12
Eliabo 19 vs. Kariokor 04
N.C.C.E 21 vs. Kayole 06
N.C.C.E 12 vs. Kariokor 07
Eliabo 21 vs. Kayole 04

U-17
Hoop Team-B 15 vs. Hoop Team-A 11
Shauri Moyo Baptist 25 vs. Kayole Team 10
Eliabo 24 vs. Hoop Team-A 18
Hoop Team-B 17 vs. Kayole Team 15
Shauri Moyo Baptist 15 vs. Eliabo 12
Hoop Team-A 18 vs. Kayole Team 15
Hoop Team-B 19 vs. Shauri Moyo Baptist 14
Shauri Moyo Baptist 13 vs. Hoop Team-A 08
Eliabo 24 vs. Kayole 18