Basketball in Africa

By ANDE BASHAIJA
Kampala

SCANDINAVIA Express Bus company has boosted the Kampala women's team traveling to Nairobi, Kenya for the Africa Zone 5 Basketball Championship with 10 return tickets.
The event gets underway tomorrow at Nyayo Stadium.

"We are taking all the 18 players as a result of Scandinavia's boost. Hopefully this will better our chances in the tournament since we have a bigger squad to select from," said the team manager Joy Olinga, after getting the confirmation from Scandinavia yesterday.

"Safinet has also promised to give us some package before we leave this morning," added Olinga. The team that has been in residential training since last Tuesday leaves at 7:30 a.m.

Kampala Deputy Mayor Florence Namayanja leads the contingent of 24 that also has Fiba referee Peter Kirabo.

Though the men's team has been withdrawn, Olinga believes the women will put up a good show against defending champions Nairobi, powerhouse Cairo, Mombasa, Kigali, Bujumbura, among others. Kampala lost to Nairobi in last year's championship held at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

Squad: Sarah Nakibenge, Flavia Oketcho, Vicky Nassolo, Miriam Hamala (captain), Siima Monica (assistant captain), Carol Nantalo and Frances Nabulobi.

Others are Barbara Namukaya, Hadijja Kiiza, Sumine Natabazi, Dorothy Nakiryowa, Jane Ssentongo, Juliet Sabano, Linda Tamale, Agatha Baliddawa and Becky Akullo.
Coaches: Nimrod Kaboha and Mande Baker (assistant).