Basketball in Africa

Kenya 's International players in the Sultanate of Oman , Nelson Njau and David Mugoye bagged awards as the curtain came down in the Oman Basketball Association League. Nelson Njau who plays for Muscat Club which won the Bronze Medal was named the Best Point Guard, while David Mugoye of Winners Nizwa Club bagged the Best Pivot Award in the May 21st Final.

Nizwa Club's domination in basketball continued as the defending champions extended their reign over the Oman Basketball Association League title with a fighting win over arch rivals Seeb Club.
In the final played yesterday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher, Nizwa did survive some anxious moments before carving out a good 61-55 win.

This was Nizwa's fourth basketball crown on the trot having won the title in 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Nizwa was also well prepared for the tournament having hosted and taken part in the AGCC Clubs Championship last month. On the contrary Seeb Club opted out of the AGCC tournament, but looked in good form throughout the lead. However, Seeb's effort was not that strong enough to stop Nizwa Club in their tracks as the champion side held the advantage right from the start. The first quarter was keenly contested, but two crucial points helped Nizwa hold the upper hand at 18-16. The two-point cushion was further enhanced when Nizwa took the second quarter at 15-12 for a 33-28 scoreline at the half-time break.

The lemon break appeared to have induced a sense of complacency in the Nizwa ranks as Seeb played better to win the third quarter and close the gap. Seeb won the period at 15-12 for an overall tally of 45-43 in favour of Nizwa.
It could have been anybody's game in the final session, but Nizwa continued to hold the advantage and the 16-12 scoreline helped the defending champions to a 61-55 verdict.
Rashad Al Hinai, the undersecretary at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, was the chief guest of the final, and he distributed the shield and medals.

Receiving the bronze medals were Muscat Club, whose Njau Nelson was adjudged the best point guard. Zaki Said of Seeb was declared the best winger, while Nizwa's David Ochieng Mugoye won the best pivot award. The best three-pointer award went to Nizwa's Ali Al Yarubi, while Salim Al Rawahi of Bausher Club took home the best administrator's trophy.
Al Ittifaq Club too had their share of awards as they won the fair play trophy.