Basketball in Africa

Nairobi B side take on Arusha in the first match of the East and Central African Inter-cities basketball championships on Wednesday.

The tournament tips off at the Nyayo National Stadium court, Nairobi, at 2.30pm.

Champions Nairobi A then face Mwanza in the second match of the day, according to draws held on Tuesday. Kampala women, Mwanza and Arusha were the first teams to arrive in the Kenyan capital for the region’s local governments’ basketball tournament.
Dar es Saalam were expected to arrive last evening for the five-day show that will be played at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium. The opening match is at 2 pm.
According to Inter-cities tournament secretary, Ronny Owino, Nairobi will enter another team that will consist of players from the university teams and a combined select side from the city’s clubs.

Last year’s hosts Kampala brought only the women, while Mwanza, who thought the tournament was starting on Tuesday, have brought the men’s side.
Kampala team manager Joy Oling’a said they have an experienced team and were all looking forward to the show. Kampala lost 62-57 to Nairobi in last year’s finals.
Mwanza, beaten 42-81 by Nairobi in 2006 semi-finals, have virtually the same team and coach Robert Mwita.

"These players have played together for years. I have only two new players," said Owino
Owino said that Mombasa team confirmed they would not be coming after all. He said it was not clear whether Kisumu would bring a team.

Defending champions Nairobi wound up their training on Tuesday and were all set for the show. Despite only a few sessions of training, the players promised to play well.
The women’s side is the same national team that has been in training for the All Africa Games slated for Algiers, Algeria in July. They have high hopes to winning the title.
Owino, who is also the Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) chairman asked fans to come in large numbers to cheer Nairobi teams.