Basketball in Africa

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

THE battle between Nkumba Marines and Mogas Falcons for a play-offs slot caused lots of hullabaloo in the basketball fraternity but it was one of many things that made the 2007 season the most exciting in the recent past.

From the unpredictability of games to action on and off the court, the just concluded season proved basketball can get better in Uganda. Remarkably, for the first time since the league began in 1996, both defending champions (men and women) failed tomake the play-offs. Actually Nkumba University Marines and Lady Bucks both finished fifth on their respective tables.

Falcons silence critics

Marines were never ready to let go of their trophy without a fight. Their team manager Patrick Ssebuliba petitioned National Council of Sports (NCS), accusing Falcons of foul play.

Falcons had fielded Louis Habineza against Knight Riders, a player who had represented Rwanda's Espoir in the East and Central Club Championships in violation of the Fiba and Fuba rules. Falcons survived a points-deduction penalty and made the play-offs.

At this stage, Falcons had been struggling and few if any gave them chance of negotiating the semifinal play-off series against regular season champions UCU Canons. In a one-sided encounter, Canons routed Falcons 74-49 in Game One of the semifinals and the Mukono side looked poised to make the finals.

Olumbo too smart

Falcons team manager John Ssimbwa argued it was lack of technical assistance that led to his team's demise in the opening fixture and he was dead right. Kenyan coach Thomas 'Smarts' Olumbo made a surprise return to the team's bench and the rest was history. Falcons convincingly overturned the tables and booked a place in the final.

BEAUTIFUL AND GIFTED: KCC Leopards players led by thier team manager Joy Olinga (extreme right) receive a trophy and dummy cheque from league sponsors MTN last week. KCC were crowned champions after defeating A-1 Challenge 3-2 in the best of five final series. Photo by Sande Bashaija

But that wasn't the end of the fable. In the final, Falcons came up against a Warriors side that had whitewashed 2000 champions Sadolin Power in the semis. But they came from 2-0 down to win the best of five series 3-2 and lift their record sixth championship.

Leopards break jinx

After Agatha Baliddawa left for USA midseason, KCC Leopards were left with an unenviable task of winning a championship without one of their best players.

Baliddawa seemed irreplaceable following her splendid performance in the Zone 5 Inter Cities Championships in Nairobi in March where she was voted Most Valubale Player (MVP) and helped KCC to a second-place finish.

But in her absence, Dorothy Nakyirwowa and Sumin Nabatanzi stepped up their game for the Leopards to make up for last year's display that saw them go through the regular season unbeaten only to lose to Lady Bucks in the final. They eased past UCU in the semis but A-1 Challenge stretched them to the limit in the final for the Mayor's women to register a hard fought 3-2 series victory.

It was interesting seeing Julie Sabano coming off the bench to score 17 points, 12 from outside the arc, as the Leopards rallied to win Game four. "We have a trick to finish them (A-1 Challenge) off. They tried to mark our star players and Sabano shocked them," KCC treasurer Denis Karuhanga, said in praise of Sabano.

In KCC Leopards, Fuba has found a team that can compete for regional honours, like they did at the East and Central Club Championships in Kigali in September. A third place finish was good enough for team that lacked its best players.

Marines slump

Marines had a chance to become only the second team after Falcons to win three back-to-back titles but fluffed it. Failing to show up for the opening fixture against lowly Youth Heaters was a regrettable blunder. The two time champions were barred from playing the second round corresponding fixture, dropping a possible four points.
Had the Marines played that game, we would probably be having a different champion. And last season could be the last time we saw Marines contesting for a top four finish. Similar to the Marines demise, we saw the last of Blue Jackets and Sky Jammers as giant clubs and the death of Fuba administrator James 'Jordan' Abola was equally a big blow.

International Kirabo

Uganda had its worst outing in the history of the All Africa Games, winning only two medals (gold and bronze) courtesy of runner Moses Kipsiro and badminton star Edwin Ekiring.But the basketball fraternity scored highly with Peter Kirabo becoming the first Ugandan referee to officiate at the continental showpiece, when he was invited to the 9th edition in Algier, Algeria in July.

The Ugandan referee made a mark for himself and the country, officiating up to the semifinal stage. "I can't stop thanking God. I just couldn't believe it until I boarded the plane," the Fuba organizing secretary told Daily Monitor.

Uganda now boasts two international referees after Ethiopian Airlines sponsored Joseph Manano to attended a refereeing course in Addis Ababa in August. He passed with flying colours and has since officiated in all regional tournaments.

Statistics lacking

Several questions were raised after Fuba announced its top performers at Hotel Equatoria last week. "Honestly speaking my brother should have taken the award. He was consistent all season and I am surprised I have been given the award," Henry Malinga told Daily Monitor after receiving the topflight MVP accolade.

"Its good the award has come to our team but I think it should have gone to Eric (Malinga). He never missed any game and his contribution could be seen by everyone," Falcons team manager Ssimbwa echoed Henry's concerns.

Linda Tamale beat KCC Leopards teammate to the women's award, and this raised more debate. To avoid such confusion next season, Fuba must forthwith start keeping statistics.

It's equally boring for basketball reporters to keep on praising top scorers without recognizing defensive players. There are no assists, rebounds and blocks in basketball reports-this is unacceptable. Without statistics to back their selections, Fuba awards will always be questioned.

Reward only the best

Edmund Lumu stormed out of the awards ceremony after he was not recognised among the outstanding referees. " After all these years of dedicated service, I can't believe my name has been left out," Lumu, the former Fuba organising secretary complained.

As a neutral, there was no need of giving referees and different officials medals. Better the best performing referee or official is crowned the best in the year and given a bigger reward than partitioning it among people whose contribution could hardly be recognised.

All would have loved to see one individual being crowned referee of the year. Such an award would propel others to emulate them in the following year.

Tournaments

Despite their poor show in the league, Makerere Sparks collected women's accolades in the Falcons Invitational and Abe Linc tournaments respectively. Livingstone bagged their first ever silverware by winning the Abe Linc junior category while relegated Knight Riders picked a consolation in the seniors. Nonetheless Abe Linc organizers have a lot of work to do.

Awards

Most Valuable Players

DIV 1: Henry Malinga (Falcons)
DIV 2: P. Wakimwero (C. High)
Women: Linda Tamale(KCC)
DIV 3: A. Mugisha (Berkley)

Top scorers

DIV 1: Steve Okias (Warriors)
DIV 2: Michael Opolot (KCC)
Women: F. Nabulobi (Bucks)
DIV 3: William Odong (Berkley)

Most defensive teams

DIV 1: UCU Canons
DIV 2: Gulu Hawks
Women: A-1 Challenge
DIV 3: Sharing Youth

Most disciplined teams

DIV 1: Charging Rhino
DIV 2: Najja High School
Women: Victoria Lakers
DIV 3: St. Michael High School