Basketball in Africa

ANSE ETOILE STARS and PLS Hawks took home the floating trophies of the Jhelum Cup tournament (the new name of the annual Curtain-raiser tournament) after triumphing in Saturday’s finals played at the Palais des Sports. That Stars beat HotShots 70-57 in the women’s match and the Hawks brought high-flying Baya back to earth with a 79-64 defeat in the men’s encounter.
Besides the floating cups, the winners got R1,500 and each of their players received trophies. The runners-up got R1,000 and the prizes wee presented to the four teams by National Sports Council (NSC) chief executive officer (CEO) Alain Volcère and Jhelum representative Lisanne Charles.

Anse Etoile Stars v HotShots

After a low-scoring first quarter which HotShots won 5-3, the Stars improved in offence in Anse Etoile Stars’ playmaker Mathiot tries to steal the ball from HotShots’ Jenita Toussaintthe second 10-minute spell which they won 24-16 to go for the break with a six-point – 27-21 – lead.
After the breather, the Stars again had the upper-hand, scoring 21 points while HotShots got 13, meaning that coach Philip Arissol’s team were faced with an uphill battle to come back as they trailed by 14 points (34-48) after 30 minutes of play.
HotShots did win the fourth quarter by one point – 23-22 – but it was not enough as the damage had already been done earlier on.

Playmaker Lindy Mathiot (joint game-high 21 points including two 3-poiners) and Geneviève Beaudoin (21 points including five 3-pointers) and skipper Simone Malbrook (16 points) combined for 58 of the Stars’ points.

As for HotShots, they got 17 points, 15 of which came from beyond the arc, from Jenita Toussaint, while power forward and skipper Myrah Solin added 12, and centre Tina Agathine made a 13-point contribution before fouling out.

Speaking to Sports Nation, the Stars’ skipper Bamboche said:
“We were slow off the blocks but got back into the match in the second and third quarters. I’m happy we won as it shows that we are putting into practice what we have been learning in training. The final was a good preparation for us as we are to compete in the Indian Ocean Club Championship next month.”

PLS Hawks v Baya

Veteran Jim Domingue played like a 20-year-old and finished with 35 points - just less than half of his team’s tally of 79 against Baya in the final.

At 40 years old, Domingue continues to dominate the offensive and defensive boards to bring down rebounds as well as play tough in the paint where he gets most of his points.
Skipper Domingue led PLS Hawks by example as they won all fours quarters 16-14, 20-16, 24-19 and 19-15 for a deserved 79-64 victory.

PLS Hawks’ veteran power forward (with ball) got most of his game-leading 35 points in the paintWith Baya’s shooters unable to set themselves free from man-to-man marking to take the outside shots like they did in the 84-72 win against Premium Cobras to send the defending champions crashing out of the competition, the Hawks once again showed that they are a hard nut to crack even when missing key players.

Happy with his team’s play and the manner in which they got the win, coach Tony Juliette was happier to see another two of his big men – Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette ad Barry Baron – scoring in double digits. In fact, they finished with 14 points apiece.

Centre Robert Léon (13 points) and playmaker Giovanni Laval (11 points) were the only two Baya players who scored in double figures.

“My players heeded my advice. They worked hard on the court and stayed in the lead. This is good. It proves that they (the players) can stay concentrated in the game. This victory is a morale-booster for us as we are preparing for the Indian Ocean Club Championship next month,” coach Juliette told Sports Nation.

The biggest win was for IRT who travelled to Casablanca and came away with a hugely important 72-74 victory. The game was finely poised going into the last ten minutes but the visitors produced a great final period to take the win, taking advantage of some generous Motopenza defence with senegalese power forward Papis Diouf claiming 21 points while Marouane Kechrid scored 15 hitting three from outside in money time. It was a measured and controlled performance by IRT who looked after the ball and held their nerve to finish on Amine Barazi's buzzer shot. First win for IRT's new coach Nizar Mesbahi who said that self-confidence and team spirit are slowly getting back to his squad.

The biggest shock perhaps of the week was FUS winning MAS by 94-86. It was a truly inspirational win for the team that has struggled all season and can breathe oxygen again with this victory. Bangoura Mourlaye (23 points, 14 rebounds) was the man of the game as FUS took advantage of slack MAS defence.

It was a similar story in Casablanca where the home team TSC won WAC who still did not recover from his last week devastating Cup loss versus RCA. WAC's coach Driss Ghissassi was sacked in the beginning of the week and Raduan Haddany was appointed head coach. Inconsistent TSC team picked up an unexpected 65-55 win.

The other results of the day saw ASS edge past MET 58-72 and KAC crushing CMC 81-53.

After leaving smouha Coach Essam abd el hamid lead Zamalek to win in the first week of finals against Sporting 96-81
Also shams new head coach Bakry selim won his first game with Shams against Damnhour.
But Smouha new Coach Sherief Azmy Couldn't make a surprise at his first game with Smouha and lose against Ittihad 93-90.
Will the new head coaches make a big difference with their new teams? Games will answer

by Salifu Usman
Abuja

The chief coach of the Nigeria's junior basketball team, Adeka Daudu has attributed the deteriorated state of basketball in the country to poor planning and lack of a clear cut culture on the part of those who run the game in the country.

Daudu, who stated this while lamenting on the pains of Nigeria's female and male teams failure to qualify for the forthcoming 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, said unless adequate steps are taken to curb the situation, Nigeria will continue to flop at international meets.
"It pains me so much that for the first time in several years, we will not have a single Nigeria's team at the Olympics basketball event. The women are not going to be there and the men too. Its just a confirmation that Nigeria's basketball is on the way down.

Nigeria will continue to flop at international competitions until issues are properly tackled by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF)," he noted.
Daudu however, dismissed erroneous impressions that Nigeria's coaches lack tactical know- how of the game to help the course of the game in the country.
"Nigeria's coaches can compete favourable with their foreign counterpart from any where in the world if given equal opportunities. Coaches like Ayo Bakare and many others have done this nation proud than any employed foreign coach. The problem is management and not local coaches," he added.

by Pius Ayinor
Lagos

All top teams in the Zenith Bank Basketball League have maintained their big name status by winning all the matches played so far as the 2008 season opening series continue at the Abuja National Stadium.
Defending champions First Bank, last year's runners up Dolphins, Delta Force and Customs have won all three matches played in this first phase of the league.
Yesterday, Delta Force of Asaba defeated Sunshine Angels of Akure 63-47 in the very first game of the day. The Angels of Akure could not tap into the atmosphere as they were beaten even as worshippers sang gloriously in the early morning of Sunday.
Customs were expected to beat Plateau Rocks of Jos and they did just that. The Customs girls though, showed some fatigue following the late Saturday battle against the Sunshine Angels.
Customs won that match on Saturday by 75-72. The close shave explains the very thin margin separating both teams in terms of talent quality and experience.
Both teams have battle for supremacy in the last three seasons.

The third match of yesterday was between First Bank and AHIP Queens of Kano. The Elephant Girls expectedly won that match by 78-29.
But while the big teams are winning, AHIP, Plateau and FCT Angels are yet to win any match. Their hopes lie in their own games against each other.
The matches will continue this morning from 10am through 8pm when the last game of the day would be rounding off.
The tournament ends on Saturday.

by Nwakpa O. Nwakpa
Abuja

Newly promoted FCT Queen, could not withstand the experience of First Bank, who are currently the regning champions of the Nigerian Women League. First Bank yesterday showed superiority when they defeated the FCT Queens 85-30 in the opening match of the 2008 first circuit currently going on at the indoor sports hall of the national stadium Abuja.

The reigning championships look to defend their league title with this much being disclosed by coach Adewumi, who promised that "we are not going to underrate any team in our quest to retain the Nigerian league and return to the continent and be counted as contenders."

However, the FCT Queens coach refused to be intimidated insisting that "though others may look at us as new entrants, we are out to win our next matches.

Speaking with Leadership Weekend Sports, the secretary of the Nigeria basketball federation, NBBF, Francis Ebiri said that everything has been put in place to ensure a successful league session beginning from the first circuit to the second circuit which will be played in Lagos. He commended the patriotism of Zenith Bank for sponsoring the female Basketball in Nigeria. The secretary revealed that the sponsors, Zenith Bank released N16m to the federation for the execution of this year's tournaments. He, however, challenged other corperate bodies and individuals to invest in sports as this will ensure a bright future for the youths of this country. Francis also tasked sports writers to be objective in their reports, saying that some sports writers write out of context, at times intentionally to cause trouble.

He was of the opinion that sports reporters should always cross check their information before going to press.

This is the tean King's Basketball Team from Arusha, which is partcipated in National Club Championship in Tanga.

THE KING'S SQUAD LIST
1.Elia Mwabukusi (CP)
2.Raheem Salum
3.Bariki Hard
4.Robert Edward
5.Chelu Black
6.Patric Rambo
7.Ahmed Mohamed
8.Zungu Kiki
9.Joseph Mrema

Sason Tatoloum and his Assistance Djangyo Meldang are ready for 2008 championship with the first win Bourgeon versus TUC. Samson said that with the Chadian crisis last month it is hard to coach a team with no sponsor, but because of the love of basketball the kids practice and still around the BasketBall. He said that they won the championship last year in the same condition. Mamoute director of BIBO helped again start the season 2007/2008. He said no matter what they will stay focus and try to defend their title.

Basketball League of Ndjamena start last monday 03/24/08. The first game was postponed Postel 2000 vs Academya, Postel 2000 wasn't ready to confront Academya basketball club. Academya enter the season with Mark Ngoniry as head coach , and Daniel Ngangnon as assistance coach the two men want to revolutionize Chadian basketball they have a really good team. The captain Tissaign Niahma Doradji says that they are ready to attack this season with his teamates Mbah, and Alladoum they say the Defending championhip title is afraid to play them.

by Emery Doradji

PLS HAWKS v BAYA. That’s the match-up for tomorrow’s men’s Jhelum Cup final and it’s going to be a repeat of the Charity match played on Sunday March 2 to officially open the 2008 season.

In Wednesday’s second semifinal encounter of the Jhelum Cup (the new name of the annual Curtain-raiser tournament) played at Victoria Gymnasium, Baya dethroned champions Premium Cobras, depriving them of a third successive trip to the final and an attempt to win the title three times in a row. With a 12-point margin victory – 84-72 – Baya look good to conquer and their final prey will be the Hawks who are themselves good at hunting down opponents in big games.
Fielding a starting six of Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille, Steve Denis, Hendricks Denis, Robert Léon and Nigel Cafrine, Baya’s coach Michel Malbrook went for speed and the ability to execute in attack. His players responded to the call as they outscored Premium Cobras 24-18 in the opening quarter.
With skipper-of-the-day Steve Denis firing on all cylinders – bagging 13 of his 26 points in the first half – it was just no stopping Baya who want to play the lead role this year.
Playing with an all-Seychellois line-up, Baya only lost the second quarter by one point – 19-20 – but they were able to come back and dominate Premium Cobras, winning the other two quarters 21-17 and 20-17 for a famous win and a place in the final.
Other than Steve Denis, Robert Léon (13 points) and ‘JP’ (12 points) made double digit contributions in Baya’s victory.
Like against MBU Rockers in the quarterfinal, Nigerian shooting guard Alao Solomon carried the Cobras’ scoring load with 27 points and it proved to be the game-leading mark, but not enough to earn his new team a place in the final.
Having already gunned down the Hawks 71-64 in the Charity match, tomorrow’s final looks to be an interesting affair.
A former playmaker with PLS Hawks and the Seychelles national team, coach Malbrook is ready to guide Baya to victory tomorrow.
“Against PLS Hawks in the final, we will take the same approach as we did when we played Premium Cobras. We will be all out for a win,” he said.
Malbrook’s opposite number, Tony Juliette said that “I was expecting Premium Cobras to reach the final. It’s Bay and my team have to play despite missing some players through injury. It is important we get a win on Saturday to put us in good heart for the IOCC.”
It is to note that defending League and Cup champions PLS Hawks eliminated Anse Boileau-based Angels 95-67 in the first semifinal played on Tuesday.

by G. G.

Seven-Stars defeated ABC 71 to 67 in the game that finished the 7th week of play in Santiago South regional championship of basketball. As usual, the game was played at the V
ava Duarte Pavilion Duarte, with a good crowd on hand to assist.

Seven Stars began with strong pressure against ABC, forcing them to commit successive offensive and defensive errors.
Seven took good advantage of the momentum to close the first period with an advantage of 10 points.
ABC was able to shake the pressure in the second period, reducing the advantage by 4 points with the score at half time 36 - 32.
ABC took the lead, for the first and last time, at the beginning of the 3rd period, but it didn't last long, as Seven went back to their original game plan, and finished
the quarter with a 9 point advantage.
In the final period of the dramatic game, Seven was able to secure a small lead of four points (71-67), to grab their first victory over ABC, in the present season.
Aquiles Semedo, captain of ABC, says that 'the game was well disputed and that Seven Stars had a just win.'
Antonio Tavares, captain of the Seven Stars, said that his team demonstrated that it has conditions to conquer the Santiago South championship.
With this result Seven Stars and ABC have the same points, but ABC continues at the top, fruit of two victories against Seven.
In the first game, Predio defeated Achada Grande 68 to 47.
In the next round of play for the Regional Championship of Basketball in Santiago: Seven Stars x Achada Grande and Predio x ABC.

by Timothy Muvunyi
Kigali

Local basketball federation, Ferwaba is planning to organize a tournament in memory of two fallen figures, Jean de Dieu Nizeyimana and Aimable Shampiyona.
The one-week tournament is scheduled to start on March 29 and run through April 6 in Kigali.
According to a Ferwafa senior official, the event is being organized to honor both Nizeyimana and Shampiyona both of them played major roles in developing the sport in the country.
"We are organizing this tournament for the first time with plans to make it an annul event," Ferwaba Secretary General Jean Lucien Mugabo said yesterday.
Both Nizeyimana and Shampiyona are credited for fostering basketball in Lycee de Kigali, one of the leading high schools in the country as well as the current league side GBU.
By the time of his sudden death, which shocked the entire local basketball fraternity last year, Nizeyimana was serving as assistant national team coach.
All local clubs and their senior sides have been invited to take part in the tournament that will be staged at Amahoro indoor stadium courts.
So far, nine clubs including six in the boys' category and three in the girls' have confirmed their participation.
APR, Rwanda National University (UNR), KIE, Espoir, CSK A and the national Junior team in the boys' while APR, UNR and a specially formed federation team in the girls'.

PLS HAWKS are in Saturday’s final of the men’s version of the Jhelum Cup after Thursday’s semifinal win against Angels. The defending League and Cup champions eliminated their Anse Boileau-based opponents thanks to a 95-67 win.

Coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks, who are gearing up to participate in next month’s Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) in Mauritius, caused Angels a lot of trouble with their suffocating full court press. Unable to free themselves from man-to-man marking, the angels turned the ball over and the hawks accepted the offers to add to their points tally.
In fact, PLS Hawks won all four quarters 19-8, 29-18, 21-17 and 27-24 to power past Angels into Saturday’s final.
Centre Barry Baron got off the substitutes’ bench to get 21 points and lead four other hawks - Nigel Annette (18 points), Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette (17 points), veteran captain Jim Domingue (12 points) and Bernard Bristol (11 points) – in double digits.
After being kept quiet in the first period, Daniel Dodin scored in the other three quarters to finish with a game-leading 22 points. Darren Lesperance got 13 points ad centre Steve Antat added 12 for the losers.
PLS Hawks were to know their opponents yesterday when defending champions Premium Cobras were to meet Baya in the second semifinal.

by G. G.

The dates for this year's junior Zone V basketball Championships have been changed.
According to the latest reports from FIBA-Africa, the continent's basketball governing body, the tournament has been moved from April to May although no clear reason has been established for the change. "An email from Fiba indicated that the tournament will now run from May 20-27 but the venue (Kampala-Uganda) still stands," the technical advisor of the local basketball governing body Innocent Karuhije noted.
Meanwhile, the provisional national junior team entered residential training last Friday ahead of this competition.

The 20-man squad which is currently residing at Versina Motel in Kibagabaga is undergoing two daily training sessions at Amahoro indoor courts.

Phillip Onyango
Nairobi

All the defending champions on Wednesday won their opening matches with ease as the Coast Provincial Secondary Schools term one games started at the Wundanyi Stadium, Dr Aggrey, Kenyatta High School Mwatate and Taveta Academy schools.

Defending girls' basketball champions, Mombasa High School, humiliated Eldoro from Taveta 173-10, while boys' basketball champions Shimba Hills beat St Georges 74-57.

In sevens rugby, defending champions Kwale High hit Kaya Tiwi 29-07.

Mombasa High, who are also the reigning national and East Africa champions, made minced meat of Eldoro from Taveta hitting them by a massive margin of 163 points in an outrageously one sided match which had to be temporarily stopped after Mombasa High filled the score sheet forcing the organisers to improvise for the game to continue.

After taking a 34-04 first quarter lead, Mombasa who had Purity Adhiambo and Mildred Olumasi score 43 points each stepped up the tempo to lead 83-05 at the break.

The second half saw the champions field a second string team of Susan Akinyi, Winnie Juma, Penina Omala, Dorothy Akinyi and Mwijabu Mwidadi but they still overwhelmed their opponents to win the third quarter 42-02 and fourth 46-03. Other scorers for Mombasa were Evelyn Adhiambo who scored 36 points, Susan Akinyi 21 and Diana Sarah 13.

Khadija Yusuf (six) and Lydia Pama (two) were scorers for Eldoro who are representing Taveta District recently carved out of Taita Taveta.

In the opening boys' match, defending champions Shimba Hills registered a morale boosting 74-57 victory over stubborn St Georges from Kilifi. Sila Kalama, Ernest Kalama, and Vincent Omolo starring for St Georges gave Shimba Hills and early scare with quick and incisive passes which resulted into brilliant penetration and well executed three pointers as they trailed 11-18 in the first quarter and 37-23 at the break.
But the experience of Nelson Omondi, Alex Opere and Mwalimu Heri came in handy as they took control of the game never looking back.
Opere led the score card for Shimba Hills with 23 points while Omondi made 12 while Vincent Omolo managed 22 points for St Georges.

In other matches, Mwasere Girls from Taveta defeated St Johns Girls Kaloleni 40-24 while Kinango Secondary beat Mbaraki Girls 18-12 in another match.

by Sollo Kiragu
Nairobi

The Rift Valley Secondary Schools boys' basketball defending champions Laiser Hill had an easy passage to the semi-finals of the Rift Valley championships at the Kericho Teachers Training College on Wednesday.

The champions made mince meat of Laikipia High School when they walloped them 89- 6 in the quarter's finals after leading 50-4 in the first half.
Bruce Ndikumana was the highest scorer for Laiser Hill with 22 points while his teammate Deng Gol contributed 18, the second highest individual score for the champions.
They will now battle it out with Mother of Apostles of Uasin Gishu who thrashed Keluani 52-19 to book a ticket to the semi finals.

Nakuru's representative, Menengai High, are also in the semi finals following their 42-25 victory over Osas of Narok South in the quarter finals and will play Weaver Bird of Trans Nzoia who beat Labornet 40-37 on their way to the semi finals.

Tough quarter final

In girl's category, Nakuru's Bahati Girl's also qualified for the semi finals with a 30-24 tough quarter final victory over Kapkloe of Nandi South. Monica Anyango of Bahati was the top scorer with 18 points to her credit.
Bahati will take on Manor House in the semi finals. Manor house thrashed Kaptagat 45-14 in the quarter final.

One sided match

Nasokol narrowly defeated Moi Girls Isinya 25-13 in the quarter finals to book a ticket to the semi finals and will meet Defending champion Laiser Hill who thrashed Masai Girls 51 -17 in one sided match.

Pius Ayinor
Lagos

The countdown to the 2008 Zenith Bank Basketball League practically entered the second stage yesterday with the arrival in Abuja of the First Bank team. The ladies nicknamed Elephant Girls are the defending champions. The arrival of the Elephant Girls was the second of the entries from outside of Abuja as the Dolphins team hit the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Monday.

"We actually planned arriving two days to our first match by there was a little mix-up in our calculations that caused us to set off almost two days earlier than planned. But it's okay; at least we'll settle down fully before the jump ball," Wale Aboderin, the proprietor of the club said in Lagos after the team took off for Abuja.

Dolphins who were the runners up last season will open their campaign on Friday with a midday game against Plateau Rocks. The Rocks are making their return into the big league for Nigerian women after missing out for two seasons due to relegation. But that match, the opening game would have been played by First Bank and FCT Queens who need more than local support to survive their opponents with the highest collection of national players.

All other seven teams are billed to enter into town today while the pre-match meetings will hold Thursday at the Abuja National Stadium. The matches proper are billed to begin on Friday and run through to the following weekend.

The second phase of the competition will hold in Enugu next month while the third and final phase will hold in Lagos by June. The winners and runners from the combination of the phases will represent Nigeria on the continent by the last quarter of the year.

Premier and Division One league teams are set to battle in next weeks Pre Season tournament slated for Ruaraka.

This event, the first under the newly elected KBF office is expected to draw a full house according to fixtures secretary Joseph Amoko. The draws and courts allocation, he said, will be done at the venue at 9 am.
The teams, led by giants Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions and Co-operative Bank of Kenya will use the two day event to gauge their strengths as well as introduce their new signings for the year.
"I have already given out all the invitations. The signs are good that we will have a good turn out as the players are itching for the season to get underway." Amoko told SportFest yesterday.

In a related development, Posta and World Hope have vowed to make it all the way to the Premier League in only their first year. The two teams were promoted fom the Naironbi Basketball Association (NBA) Provincial League.

Coaches Ronny Owino and George Namake coccured that they have the players that are capabe of propelling the teams from the lower division to the top in a year.
"I can tell you that we will make it all the way to the top and we want to do it easily." noted Owino while Namake, the league oldest tactician, said that "I have lined up four new players to beef up my squad and this should help my course." said Namake
After the Pre-Season tournament, teams will then return to strict training as they fine tune their players ahead of the league that is scheduled to throw off at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium in two weeks latter.

Meanwhile, Owino who is also a FIBA coaches instructor have been nominated by the continental body to conduct an Olympic Solidarity Coaches course in Lusaka, Zambia. He was in Swaziland last September to conduct a similar course.

Dann OWERE

Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) has injected Sh15 million to cater for the National Basketball League (Kili NBL) that gets underway in Tanga today.
TBL's brand manager for Kilimanjaro Premium beer, Oscar Shelukindo said the money has been donated to cover accommodation and internal transport to the 12 participating teams.
Shelukindo said each team will be entitled to Sh400,000 and the balance would be used for promotional efforts in the tournament. Similarly, about Sh400,000 has been set aside for the eventual winner of the tournament, while the first and second runners up have Sh300,000 and Sh200,000 as prize money, respectively.
The prize packages are the same for the men and women teams. Other prizes include Sh100,000 for the most valuable players (MVP), he said, meanwhile as teams have reported in Tanga ahead of the kick off, where Chief Justice Augustino Ramadhani, the new patron of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) will officiate.
TBF president Richard Kasesela thanked the brewers for their timely response as the event was on the brink of missing a sponsor.
Holders Savio from Dar es Salaam are expected to set the ball rolling as they take on Bombo team at the Mkwakwani Stadium today.
Kasesera said he wished all the best for the competitors, urging them to display a sportsmanship spirit during the tourney.
The tournament winner will feature in the East and Central Africa club championship whose host and date are yet to be announced.

by Timothy Muvunyi
Kigali

The male junior national basketball team has started intensive preparations ahead of the upcoming Zone V championship scheduled to take place mid next month in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
Twenty players were summoned to start residential training that started last Friday at Amahoro indoor stadium. The players are residing at Versina Motel in Kibagabaga on the outskirts of Kigali.
The National juniors were selected among 400 students who took part in the national talent detection campaign last year.
The Kampala event is also the elimination for national junior teams that will play in this year's Africa Junior Championship scheduled to take place August in Cairo, Egypt.
According to local basketball federation officials, the juniors will play build up matches against local giants APR and CSK A before a selection tournament a week before to the Kampala event.

by Sollo Kiragu And Philip Onyango
Nairobi

Rift Valley Secondary Schools reigning champions in boys' and girls' basketball, Laiser Hill from Kajiado, romped into the quarter-finals during the term one games at the Kericho Teachers Training College grounds, Tuesday.
Laiser Hill girls won two straight matches to book a quarter-final ticket in the preliminaries.
The girls drubbed Kituro of Baringo 25-9 in their opening match with Yvonne Mashedi leading the onslaught with 18 points.
They then thrashed Emining 68-20 in their second match, and again, it was Mashedi who starred with 40 points.

Bahati Girls have also made it to the quarters after beating Kipsigis Girls 23-8 and Masai Girls 29-6.
In other matches, Manor House walloped Moi-Isinya 40-06, Kiuani beat Chebara 18-12, while Kaptagat dismissed Njorwa 26-16.
In boys' basketball, Laiser Hill began their title defence on a sound note when they drubbed Weaver Bird of Trans-Nzioa 67-21.

Settled for draw

Laiser Hill had led 32-7 in the first half in a match they controlled from the opening whistle. Makau Kiunagua scored 18 points, while team-mate Innocent Oduor scored 17 points.
Weaver Bird's Boniface Wanyama and George Otieno scored 12 and 9 points respectively.
Hosts Kabianga High lost to Mother of Apostle 20-30, while Laikipia Boys and Laboret also made it to the last four. In girls' hockey, defending champions settled for a barren draw with St Monica at the Kipsigis Girls High school grounds.

In the boys' category, Nakuru's Menengai tied 1-1 with champions St Antony's in a thrilling match. St Anthony's Kelvin Kibengwa opened the score sheet in the third minute, before Menengai pulled level through Joseph Ochieng.
In another match, Kaplong beat Laikipia 1-0 in a Pool "A" clash.
At the Coast, defending champions face little oppositions in the opening matches as the Coast Secondary Schools Term one games get under way at Dr Aggrey Secondary in Wundanyi this morning.

Divided into pools

Defending boys' basketball champions Shimba Hills square it out with Taru Secondary from Kinango District, while the girls' defending champions Mombasa High clash with little-known Eldoro from Taveta in the opening Pool A matches.
In Pool B of girls' basketball matches, Mbaraki Girls from Mombasa take on Kinango Secondary, while Waa Boys from Kwale will clash with Barani from Malindi.

The girls' teams have been divided into two pools of five each with Pool A comprising Mombasa High, Bura Girls, Eldoro, Changamwe Secondary and Shimba Hills, while Pool B has Mbaraki Girls, Mwasere Secondary, Kinango Secondary, St Johns Kaloleni and Jaribuni.
The boys' teams have been divided into four pools of three teams each with Pool A comprising bitter rivals Shimba Hills Secondary, Shimo La Tewa Secondary and Taru, Pool B has Waa Boys, Sokoke secondary, and Barani, Pool C has Kenyatta High School Mwatate,St Georges and Timbila while Pool D has Dr Aggrey secondary, Lamu Boys and Changamwe secondary.

DEFENDING champions Premium Cobras were the last of the four teams to make the semifinals of the Jhelum Cup (the new name of the annual Curtain-raiser tournament) which enters the semifinal stage today.

The Cobras completed the semifinal line-up last Thursday at Victoria Gymnasium when after having trailed the Rockers for the whole of the first half, bridged a 13-point gap thanks to a huge third quarter performance during which they outscored their opponents 27-7.
With a healthy 14-point lead (58-44), the Cobras added to their total with another 26 fourth-quarter points compared to MBU Rockers’ 16 for an 84-61 quarterfinal win.
In only his second match with his new team, Nigerian point guard Alao Solomon looked on fire for the Cobras, leading all scores with 33 individual points including three 3-pointers.
He was helped in offence by bench player Steve Allisop with 15 points, while Seychelles’ international power forward Dominic Pillay did a good job coming off the substitutes’ bench to dominate the boards – both offensively and defensively – to get 11 points.
Fired up to play against his former team, Seychelles’ swingman Cyril Agrippine looked capable of killing the Cobras on his own in the first half until he received a knock on his nose and had to leave the game for a while. Although he got back onto the court, he just could not have the same effect as during the first half.
Agrippine, who joined the Rockers last year after sitting out the whole 2006 season when he decided not to play for Premium Cobras – the team he joined in 1994 after playing for the Mont Fleuri Neutrons in 1992 and 1993 – finished with 32 points, among those nine from beyond the three-point range.
In tomorrow’s second semifinal encounter at 5.15 p.m. at Victoria Gymnasium, Premium Cobras will meet Baya who had no trouble dispatching Division Two outfit AAP Brothers thanks to a big 116-51win.
Skippered by Seychelles international Dave Roseline who led them in scoring with a game-high 21 points, Baya had four other players – Robert Léon (18 points), Jean-Paul Camille (17), Giovanni Laval (17) and Michael Cupidon (10) – scoring in double digits.
Théodore Marguerite led AAP Brothers in scoring with 15 points, including three treys.
In today’s first men’s semifinal encounter, PLS Hawks will entertain Angels. Still without Ugandan all-rounder Stephen Omony who is out of the country and playmaker Thomas Collie unavailable for selection due to an injury, the Hawks also reached the century mark against last year’s losing finalists Cascade Bullets.
Coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks won the match 106-68 and got balanced scoring from his players as six of them – veteran power forward Jim Domingue (25 points), Bernard Bristol (18), Barry Baron (15), Nigel Annette (14), Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette (12) and Emmanuel Jupiter (10) – scored in double figures.

Newcomer Christopher Camille led the Bullets in scoring with 23 points, while Kenneth Sophie added 16 as the two combined for 39 points – more than half of their team’s total.

Like Baya and PLS Hawks, Angels also hit the century mark as they disposed of Division Tow side Juniors 101-81 in a quarterfinal match-up.

With captain Darren Lesperance scoring just two points, Daniel Dodin took over the scoring responsibility for Anse Boileau-based Angels with 23 points and he was helped in offence by Michel Agathine with 17 points, Chabel Servina with 17, while both Collin Japhet and David Boniface added 13 apiece.

As for Juniors, both skipper Reggie Ah-Kong and Martin Asba made 15-point contributions and Yannick Ally added 13.

The winners of the two semifinals will clash in Saturday’s final scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at the Palais des Sports.

Meanwhile, the women’s finalists are HotShots and Anse Etoile Stars.

HotShots’ Tina Agathine (16 points) and power forward Myra Solin (14 points) combined for 30 of their team’s points in the 48-30 win over RA Sisters in the semifinal.
As for Anse Etoile Stars who rested Simone Malbrook for their semifinal encounter against Juniors, they had Zita Siméon (16 points), Georgia Désir (14 points) and Dynah Louis (12 points) scoring in double figures in the 69-28 win.
It is to note that veteran Simone Malbrook scored the game’s last two free-throws to give the Stars a 44-42 win against HotShots in the Charity match played earlier in the season.

G. G.

Leaving the team just before the finals, Tarek seleem left Zamalek last week. Tarek seleem said that he left the team for financial problems as his players didn't get the promised rewards till know.While Zamzlek on line page announced that the reason was that Ismaeel Seleem the big brother for Tarek will participate in the coming elections in July. Any ways Zamalek will face Somouha in Alexandria tonight in a cup game it is really a very hard game to play.Ahmed Adel will lead the team tonight. Most probably Essam Abd El hameed will leave Somouha and lead Zamalek till the end of this season.

Today Cup games will be resumed as below:

At 18:00
Gazco Vs Army at Ain Shams university Hall
Smouha Vs Zamalek at Smouha Club
Police Academy Vs Tyran At Police Academy Club
El Horya Damnhour Vs Sporting at Damnhour Hall
Ahly Vs El Nasr Damnhour at Ahly Club
Ghazl El suiez Vs Eastern Company at Suiez

At 20:00
Gezira Vs Shams At Cairo Stadium

At 27/3/2008 17:00
Ittihad Vs Bniswef at Ittihad Club

The senior males basketball teams of 1º de Agosto and of Petro de Luanda will face-off on Tuesday at Rio-Seco pavilion at 07pm for the second leg of the quarterfinals of the Angola Cup.
With a five-point advantage obtained in the first leg played a week ago at Cidadela pavilion, 1º de Agosto are considered as the favourites.
In the current season 1º de Agosto beat Petro five times. To continue in the competition, the club captained by Miguel Lutonda only has to avoid losing by more than five points.
In the first leg, the USA point guard of Petro de Luanda, Shannon Croocks was the top scorer with 18 points, whilst Joaquim Gomes "Kikas" with 16 points was the best for 1º de Agosto.
1º de Agosto are the current titleholders.

by Suleiman Jongo

Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) secretary general Lawrence Cheyo says 13 teams have so far confirmed to compete in this year's National Basketball League (NBL).
It gets underway at the Mkwawani Stadium in Tanga on Wednesday.
He said there is a possibility for two more teams, Bugando of Mwanza and Mbeya's Prisons, to take part in the competition.
"We are very impressed by the response from the competing teams, and possibly the championship would be a success", said Cheyo.
Women teams that have confirmed participation are JKT, Jeshi, Lady Lioness, Polisi, CWT and Magereza.
Men's teams are JKT, Army Basketball Club (ABC), Savio, Oilers , Vijana (City Bulls), Mzinga and Baptist Basketball Club
Recently-crowned RBA Kili league champions and Super Cup winners Vijana stand as clear favourites to excel in the tourney.
The fixture for the championship will be drawn tomorrow as the teams and referees arrive.
TBF appointed referees are George Kitundu, Said Khamis, Oden Mbaga, Alfred Ngalaliji, John Golita, Gosbert Boniface, Daniel Patrick and Haleluya Kavalambi.
Substitute referees are Prosper Mushi and Francis Chalamila.
Match commissars are Hamidu Halekwa, Jimmy Nkongo and Manaseh Zablon
Savio are defending champions for men as JKT are holders for women teams.

by Victor Machota
Arusha

Arusha's leading basketball team, Kings thumped Moshi's Baptists 69-49 in a thrilling game played at the Soweto grounds on March 13.
But the Baptists youths in the Under-18 category were a force to reckon with when they walloped International School of Moshi (ISM) 30-21. The Under-18 basketball league was played at the St. Constantine's grounds.
In the youth category, the Baptists clinched the trophy. Baptist's Captain Dennis Simon said their adults team performance against Kings was not up to standard because of inadequate preparations.
Kings captain Elia Mwakabushi said his team was now engaged in daily practice in preparation for the forthcoming clubs league to be held in Tanga towards the end of the month under Kilimanjaro Premium Lager sponsorship

Reigning Nigeria Women league champions, First Bank basketball club of Lagos will begin her quest to retain the Nigeria Women league title next Friday against newly promoted FCT Queens basketball club of Abuja.

The match is the opening game of the phase-one of the Zenith Bank Women league with the defending champion favoured to reeact the spark that have seen her dominate the Nigeria local scene.

The match billed for the Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium jump-starts the Nigeria season.

First Bank coach and Nigeria senior women national team assistant coach Adewumi Aderemi is optimistic his wards will retain the title again.

Coach Aderemi told www.fiba-afrique.org in an exclusive chat before the team depart Lagsos for Zaria to continue preparations for the task ahead that the Elephant Girls as the team is also known has no equal in the local scene but looking forward to making appreciable impact in the continent once again.

“We want to thank our management for standing by us when the going was tough especially during the 2007 FIBA Africa Champions Club Competition in Maputo, Mozambique where we finished a dismal 7th and we are promising them that we want to return to the continent once but first by winning the Zenith Bank league title.

“I know that other teams in the country have since fortified their team but we are unleashing a more younger team on them, players with hunger for success and ofcourse return to the continent and be counter among the contenders.

“We are not going to underrate any team in our quest to retain the Nigerian league and I want to on behalf of the coaching crew and players thanked the management of First Bank Sports Club and the parent body First Bank Plc for providing us with all the basics we needed to succeed and I stand to say we will not let them down, Aderemi concluded.

First Bank arch rival, Dolphins basketball club was also handed what can be termed an easy opening game pairing as the Wale Aboderin girls will file out against another new comer, Plateau Rocks basketball club of Jos.

The Dolphins like First Bank was also in Mozambique last year where they finished in the 10th position.

And in its bid to do well this year Dolphins is unleashing former Nigeria international guard, Taye Adeniyi as coach/ player on the rest of the teams in the league.

Adeniyi popularly called ‘Do-Something’ due to her terrific shooting ability says she is back to prove a point that female players gets better with age.

“Experience especially when it comes to female basketballer is like an old wine that gets better and better with time.

“I am out to help raise the profile of my team – Dolphins and other teams should better watch out as it is not going to be easy for who ever thought I am finished, the former First Bank basketball club guard said.

This year’s league is sponsored to the tune of N16 million naira almost 20 percent increment from that of 2007.

According to the 2nd Vive-President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, Vivianne Eze who stood-in for the federation president Elder Jacob Gyang Buba that each of the ten teams that will campaign in this year’s league will get a sum of two hundred (N200, 000) thousand naira as subsidy for each of the phases amounting to a total of N600, 000 for each club.

She further gave a break-down of the prize money for the 2008 league; first place winner at the end of the third phase in Lagos between June 25 and July 6 will go home with a cash prize of N750, 000 and a giant trophy, second place will get N.5M, third will be rewarded with the sum of N350, 000 while the fourth placed team gets N200, 000 for its efforts.

The Abuja phase-one leg of the league will run from March 26 though April 6 with the first day as arrival while a technical meeting between the teams and the league department of the NBBF will met on March 27 with competition starting on March 28 through April 5.

The second phase with Enugu as venue will dunk-off May 9 through 17 while the ten teams are expected to arrival the Coacl city on May 7, the phase technical meeting is billed for May 8.

Timeyin Ejoor, head of Corporate Communications of Zenith Bank Plc sponsors of the league says its his bank little ways of giving back to the society.

He, however, promised that with full cooperation of the NBBF and participating teams, the bank will continue to sponsor the top women league in Nigeria .

Secretary General of the Nigeria basketball ruling body, Francis Gbiri told www.fiba-afrique.org that the Nigeria federation will continue to do its best to lift the game in the country.

Derrick Franklin Itthads Center will fly to the states for 10 days vacation, he will share his family the death of his father. Derrick will miss at least 2 games in the finals one of the games against Zamalek. We all share Derrick hard feelings and condolences. Derrik was the best import this season and helped his team to reach the top of the first round table. Itthad administration are trying to let him reach Zamalek game.

Dar es Salaam region has saved the day for Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) from being embarrassed by fielding six teams in the national league championship slated for next Wednesday at Mkwakwani stadium, Tanga.
The move follows the failure by some regions to confirm or bring teams for the tournament, warranting TBF to call for more teams from Dar es Salaam who responded by registering more than 14 men`s teams.
The league regulations however, demand that every region must be represented by only one team and that must be the region`s men`s champions.
Following the situation, Dar es Salaam has been allowed to field six men`s teams, four being those that performed well in last year`s national league and two that did well in the region`s league.
``It`s true, the regulations want every region to come up with a team, but since we are running short of time and the response is rather poor probably because of financial constraints, we have allowed Dar es Salaam to come with additional teams,`` Cheyo said.
The teams are JKT, Savio, Vijana, Oilers, ABC and Magereza who are standing in for Chang`ombe Boys who are serving a ban following their fans unruly behaviour in one of the matches.

Women`s teams whose encounter will be open are Don Bosco Queens, Jeshi Stars, Cargo Ladies and JKT Stars.

Super league finals starts on saturday. Itthad finished the 22nd round on the top with 3 defeats, Gezira came second with 4 defeats , Sporting and Zamalek came 3rd and 4th with 5 defeats ,Ahly came 5th with 6 defeats while Somouha was the last team who went to the finals. Itthad,Gezira,Sporting,Zamlek seems having the same chances to win the league while history adds Ahly to the competition. Ahly was hurt by the the club board decision not allowing the team to import a player but Ashraf Tawfeek is the type of coaches that never gave up easily. Somuha almost have no chances to win the league but they will hurt big teams at their home court.Derrick Franklin was the best import so far he is helping Itthad and getting better everyday.

As organisers of the Lagos City league put finishes touches to the commencement of the 4th edition of the league, teams have begun to test their readiness for the league as former Nigeria Premier League Champion, Ebun Comets basketball club handed down a 77-69 points defeat to 2007 third place finisher, Kennys' Bullets in a friendly game at the Indoor of the Nigerian Air Force Base Thursday.

Thursday's match is the first between both side since Bullet's defeated the Coach Ayo Bakare tutored side to the third place in the 3rd edition of the City league last year.

The friendly battle was played over five quarters with Comets winning three of the quarters (Q1: 14-11, Q2: 17-15 and Q5: 15-11), Bullet's had the fourth quarter under its grip with a narrow 16-15 points win while both sides shared the third quarter with 16 points apiece.

At the end of the energy sapping encounter Bullet's coach and former Comets and Nigeria International point guard, Ogoh Odaudu praised his players for putting up a fight against Comets.

He, however, promised that the team wll be ready for action before the commencement of the league.
'I am pleased with the performance of the my players today (March 20) and I can assure Bullet's fans and board members that the team will not disappoint when the league finally dunks-off,' opined the coach popularly refered to as man-of-wisdom in his playing days .

Several teams have qualified for the second round of the Liberia Basketball Association national league. Those qualified in the first division are NPA Pythons, LPRC oilers, Uhuru Kings and Mighty Barrolle. The rest Dream Team and Flames and in the female division, champion K-Deltas, Phoenix, Survivors and Commissioners are through. The rest are Destiny Queens and Rockers Angels Shooters. Those that booked tickets in the second division are, Cestor Mogars, Dream Team, Flip Star, Wild Cats, Urban Invaders amongst others.
Meanwhile the first phase of the league continued during the week. On Sunday March 16, Flames fell to LPRC Oilers 63-102 and Mighty Barrolle went down to Commissioners 63-68 points to the disbelief of the many spectators. On Monday March 17, Cestor Mogars clipped Supreme Brothers 49-47 points in a breath taking encounter and in the second match Uhuru Prince slapped Urban Invaders 67-61 points.v

NPA Pyhtons bounced back last weekend to beat Uhuru Kings 84-78 points in a tense match that was characterized by fist fight and injuries. Uhuru led Pythons in three quarters and lost in the last seven minutes of the match.Python's Mark Smith receives head injuries in the dyingminutes of the match after he was challenged by Uhuru King's Richelieu Allison in a lay out process. Earlier on Saturday, in the female division, former female champion Phoenix buried TIimber wolves 52-22 points. On Sunday March 16, Timber wolves fell to Rock Angels Shooters 53-54 points in a female clash. The league continus this week.

by Pius Ayinor
Lagos

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) received N16m from Zenith Bank Plc as sponsorship fee for the 2007/08 season of the Zenith Bank League, which is billed to start next week in Abuja. The cheque for the sum was handed to the Federation yesterday in a brief media ceremony held at the Boardroom of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) at the Lagos National Stadium.

The AGM/Head Corporate Communications of Zenith Mr Timeyin Ejoor, who represented the Managing Director of the Bank, said the organisation remains joyful with the partnership with the NBBF.
"When we began the sponsorship of basketball, we simply wanted an avenue to encourage the youths of this country by building them and developing their capacity. We are in this sponsorship because we want to use basketball channel in giving back to the society.
"We are glad with the way the Federation is handling the league and indeed we have no cause to regret our partnership with the NBBF," Timeyin said.

The Second Vice-president of the Federation Mrs Vivienne Eze, who represented the President, told the gathering that the NBBF is thankful to God for bringing Zenith Bank the way of the Federation.
"The NBBF is indeed appreciative to Zenith Bank for meeting our financial obligations. We really thank God for bringing Zenith - one of the biggest and best banks in Africa - our way. From less than N8m in the first year we have moved up every year such that in such a short time the sponsorship figure has more than doubled," Eze said.

The league which is holding in its fourth season will start on the 26th with the arrival of the 10 female teams in Abuja. The actual court actions will start two days after with the game between defending champions First Bank and FCT Queens of Abuja. That game is billed for 10am while the match between last season's runners up Dolphins and Plateau Rocks will commence two hours after.

FCT Queens and Rocks are the two new teams in the system. Eight teams featured last season.

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

NATIONAL basketball league players will have to work on being more clinical as the 24-second clock rule comes into effect in the new season that starts on April 11.
FUBA president Ambrose Tashobya revealed in an interview in which he underlined the body's plans to step up standard of the domestic league.
"We shall use the 24-second clock to limit time wastage and increase offensive activity in our matches," Tashobya explained.
The rule is presently applied in professional leagues like the American NBA.
The rule stipulates that the team with the ball has to ensure that it touches their opponent's board or ream before 24 seconds or they forfeit it to them.
It will be enforced only in games held at the Lugogo indoor stadium as the alternative venue at YMCA presents logistical problems as far safeguarding the clock is concerned.
Tashobya further explained that the rule is meant to target teams that kill off minutes to protect their lead normally towards the end of the game.
The president outlined other ventures the body has undertaken.
"We have already held coaching and referees clinics," Tashobya said.
Meanwhile, the technical committee has set March 23 as the deadline for player and team registration.

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

MIRACLE'S dream of making a maiden appearance in the play-offs this season have suffered a setback as they will have to do without their playmaker Ben Komakech.
The lethal point guard has already picked transfer forms from the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) and intends to join 2000 league champions Sadolin Power.
Miracle finished fourth from bottom in the topflight league last season and Komakech's departure could render the Rubaga-based side relegation candidates in the league that begins on April 11.
Another star, Edward Bongomin, who has barely spent two seasons at the club is also linked with a move to Gulu Hawks.
Yet Miracle have not brought in any new recruitments at the moment. Komakech will team up with Isaac Afidra, who has re-joined Power from Kampala International University (KIU) as the Wandegeya-based team seeks to win a first championship since 2000.
Meanwhile, former Livingstone captain Rogers Sserunyigo has completed his move from troubled Charging Rhino to league champions Mogas Falcons.

Frances Nabulobi (Lady Bucks) and David Kiberu (Rhino) have also picked forms but are yet to indicate their clubs of interest.

The transfer window and registration of players by clubs end on March 23.

by Joseph Ngure And Jack Nduri
Nairobi

Wareng's Mother of Apostles Seminary are the new Eldoret regional secondary schools basketball champions.

The new kings thrashed Uasin Gishu High 59-39 in a one-sided inter-schools championships decider played at Moi Girls High School over the weekend.

Dennis Onyango top scored for the winners as they opened a 15-point lead early on which they maintained to clinch a ticket to represent the region at the provincial event next week.

In the semis, they thrashed green horns Kipsangui Secondary 70-23, sounding their intensions of winning the title.

Haby Msafiri (facing the camera) of Sheikh Khalif Secondary blocks ways to Mwinyi Jumbe (10) of Serani during Mombasa District Secondary Games at Shimo la Tewa in Mombasa last weekend. Sheikh Khalif won 55-54. Picture: Omondi Onyango

Uasin Gishu, representing Uasin Gishu West, basked in the glory after out-shining former East and Central Africa volleyball champions Paul Boit 40-21 in the other semi-final encounter.

All the 10 regions that were zoned from the larger Rift Valley Province completed their championships last week.

Focus shifts to Kericho next week when the regions will compete for the first time under the new names.
In basketball, giants Dudi Girls' beat Mititi to retain the crown, while Agoro hit Oriwo 22-20 to complete their double. Earlier, Wang'apala had played Oriwo and Agoro squared it out with Ringa in pulsating encounters at the semis.

by Innocent Ndawula
Kampala

The form-book in the just concluded Stanbic Bank sponsored Kampala Kids League (KKL) Basketball season was torn to threads on the last day of action.
Big sides got shocks as they lost their last round of games but ended up as champions courtesy of their earlier impressive performances that saw them win matches at the start of the season.
In the Senior Boys' category, Haruna Kazibwe stole the limelight with 7 points as his side Yana Tyres edged out Splash 19-18 to snatch the title.
The Junior Boys champions - Eagle Air were routed 11-4 by a resilient Aqua Sipi thanks to Victor Karugaba who poured in a game-high 8 points.
Kampala Kids League Commissioner Trevour Dudley presided over the awards ceremony and noted the improvement in the standards of basketball amongst the youngsters.

Category winners

Junior Boys - EagleAir
Junior Girls - FedEx
Mids - Fresh Dairy
Senior Girls - Nike
Senior Boys - Yana Tyres

1º de Agosto senior team of basketball Tuesday night in Luanda beat its Petro-Atlético de Luanda counterpart by 75-80, in a balanced first leg match of Angola Cup quarter finals.
In the 10 minutes of the game, 1º de Agosto (African champion) was winning by 09-11, but the initial period ended in a 21-17 score.
By the first break of the competition, the team coached by Alberto de Carvalho was losing by 34-51.
In the third period, Petro scored a significant recovery, having led the score to 44-50.
However, 1º de Agosto kept its advantage throughout the whole third part of the game that ended in a 53-45 score.
The narrowest gap in the game score was 68-71, when four minutes were left for the end of the encounter. 1º de august owed its 80-75 win to its serenity in the last minutes of the competition.

The second leg match will take place on Tuesday at "Rio Seco" pavilion.

By Dann O’Werre

United States International University (USIU) beat Strathmore University 65-50 in a top University and Colleges League match at the formers’ courts on Sunday.

This is Strathmore Blades’ second defeat in a row after going down 40-50 to Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University two weeks ago.

Abel Nson lifted USIU with game-high 20 points, while John Zaddock scored 10. For the losers, Ken Maru nailed 15, while Paul Nyakinda tossed in 14.

Kenya Polytechnic pipped Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 50-40.

ANU will blame themselves for the loss as they dominated the proceedings and even took a 24-21 lead at half-time before things went bad in the dying seconds as they allowed Lameck Onyancha to tie the match 47-47 and send the game into over time.

In the five minutes of regulation time, Charles Kituiji sank two foul shots that saw Polytechnic carry the day. Billgram Okutoyi scored 16 points while Onyancha added 10 for Kenya Poly.

For ANU, Peter Mwangi nailed 15 and Edwin Ndungu, who missed an easy shot that would have sent the game to another overtime, shot 11. In other matches, Strathmore women beat KCA 42, while Strathmore Blades were upset 40-50 by KCA.

Kenyatta University Pirates posted a 38-32 win over Kenya Polytechnic. USIU whipped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) 54-38. Strathmore Blades hit Daystar 40-33.

Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Cliff Owuor is expecting his 'APR Indomitable Lions' to bounce back immediately from Sunday's defeat against Marines ahead of this year's Kigali Challenge Cup set for this month.

The Zone V champions who were chasing for their third successive Heroes trophy were humbled with a 64-76 defeat against a classy Marine side in the final.

Afterwards, the Kenyan trainer admitted that Marines had been the better side through out the game.
"I felt that we were below par in many areas of the game and Marines capitalized on our mistakes. We also lacked coordination while Marines played as a unit. "The pressure is now on us to prove to everyone that we are still the best side in the country. Everyone knows what we are capable of but we have to prove that by getting back to winning ways," admitted the ex-Kenyan international.

Since 2004, APR had been at the helm of Rwanda's basketball not until last year when they lost the league title to Marines. Marine's heroics last Sunday clearly showed how the side has come of age since 2005 when it made its debut appearance in the top flight.

On their way to lifting last year's league trophy, the Gisenyi based side had finished fourth and third in 2005 and 2006 respectively.

THEY clashed a fortnight ago in the Charity match and the winners were decided in the dying seconds when veteran Simone Malbrook scored the game’s last two free-throws for the 44-42 win.
Anse Etoile Stars and HotShots will clash in the women’s Jhelum Cup finalAnse Etoile Stars and HotShots will match up again on Saturday March 29 in the final of the Women’s Jhelum Cup (formerly Curtain-raiser tournament). The two sides qualified for the final of the Jhelum-sponsored tournament with wins over the weekend in the semifinals played at the Palais des Sports.
HotShots were the first of the two teams to book their place in the final last Saturday. Trailing by two points 15-17 at half-time after having lost the first quarters 8-13 before winning the second 10-minute spell 7-4, defending champions HotShots upped the tempo in the second period, winning the next two quarters 20-3 and 13-10 for a 48-30 victory over RA Sisters.
Coach Philip Arrisol had centre Tina Agathine (16 points) and power forward Myra Solin (14 points) combining for 30 of their team’s points and their total equalled RA Sisters’ tally.
Sylvie Port-Louis led RA Sisters in scoring 8 points.
On Sunday, Anse Etoile Stars rested Simone Malbrook, but her husband Michel Malbrook was on the team’s bench to guide the defending League champions to victory against their daughter – Jana Malbrook – and the rest of the Cadettes team.
Interestingly enough, Cadettes, who are preparing for the forthcoming sixth edition of the Jeux de la Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan indien (CJSOI), scored 28 points against the Stars who got 69.
Jessica Fanchette had 12 points for Cadettes, while the Stars had three players – Zita Siméon (16 points), Georgia Désir (14 points) and Dynah Louis (12 points) – scoring in double figures.

In the men’s competition, the semifinals will be played early next week after the taking place of the quarterfinals this week.
In yesterday’s first quarterfinal encounter, PLS Hawks, 85-44 winners against Mont Fleuri Dawgz, were to meet Cascade Bullets. The winners will clash with the victors of the Juniors-Angels encounter scheduled for tomorrow.
Juniors eliminated RA Herons on a 54-51 score, while Angels beat LMS Youth 93-44.
In the bottom bracket, MBU Rockers face defending champs Premium Cobras on Thursday after both teams won their matches over the weekend.
The Rockers beat Men’s First Division newcomers Beau Vallon Heat 78-44 and Premium Cobras, who gave a debut to their two Nigerian recruits – Simon Pusam and Alao Solomon – dispatched RC Dynamics 87-52.
In today’s quarterfinal match, Baya, who defeated defending League and Cup double achievers PLS Hawks in the recent Charity match, face AAP Brothers.
Coach Michel Malbrook’s Baya collected an 86-50 win against Falcons to make the quarterfinals.

G. G.

Peter Atsiaya
Nairobi

Maseno School and Kisumu Boys' won the Kisumu West and Kisumu East districts schools basketball title respectively at the weekend.

Maseno renewed their hunt for the national schools basketball title by humiliating Ngere Secondary 116-16 in a one sided duel in their backyard.

Experienced Edwin Otula, Vincent Juma and Ken Oonga steered the former national champion's victory.

Otula emerged top scorer after netting 26 points while Juma and Oonga scored 12 and nine points respectively.

Despite the defeat, Ngere will accompany Maseno to the Nyanza Provincial first term 'A' ball games championship at Migori High School from Monday to Saturday. Maseno will be defending the provincial title.

St Barnabas Girls High send Sinyolo secondary packing by 54-23 to win the girls' title in an entertaining encounter at the same venue.

Hosts Maseno eliminated Ngere 4-3 to win the hockey title while Sinyolo went down 1-0 to St Barnabas during the girls' finals.

Maseno maintained their dominance in the competition by winning the Rugby Sevens title after running over hapless Ngere by 50-0 in the finals.

Kisumu Boys were declared the Kisumu East district champions without dribbling a ball after their perennial rivals Kisumu Day declined to play after their demand to have referees changed was rejected.

Kisumu Day coaches said referees who were to officiate the match were former teachers at Kisumu Boys and would be biased.
Kisumu Girls' struggled to beat St Teresas 34-23 to lift the title.
In hockey (boys), Kisumu Day, the provincial reigning champions, stopped Kisumu Boys by 2-0 in an action packed encounter.
Both teams have qualified for the provincial championship.

Kisumu Girls once again disciplined St Teresa's by hammering them 5-0 to win the girls' title in a final they dominated right from word go.

by Sande Bashaija
Makerere

NKUMBA University Marines were yesterday disqualified from the Makerere Open tournament after they fielded a player, who had turned out for another team.

Marines, despite playing without their want away stars Norman Blick, Carrol Bisereko and Donald Blick, eased through the preliminaries and beat Makerere A 37-27 to make the quarterfinals.

But organizers penalized Nkumba for fielding Ramathan Busulwa, who had registered with Lubiri High School.

The announcement that Nkumba had been thrown out of the tournament caused a scene at the Makerere pool court, with the affected coach Timothy Odeke involved in verbal exchanges with the table officials.

Shimo la Tewa Secondary boys and Mombasa High School girls easily clinched the Mombasa District secondary schools basketball titles without a struggle as the games concluded at the Shimo grounds on Saturday.
Mombasa High, who are also the reigning national and East and Central Africa champions retained the title for the 16th year in a row without conceding a point after a 123-0 thrashing Mbaraki Girls in a deciding match.

Shimo la Tewa who are also enjoying good form reclaimed the boys basketball title they lost year when they hammered Sheikh Khalifa 116-30 in a one sided final.

In other matches, Mombasa High humiliated Coast Girls high School 153-0 and went ahead to beat Aga Khan High 97-0 to make clear their intentions of the retaining the national championships for the fifth year in a row when the games are held at Mangu High School from April 14.

Top scorer

Mombasa High’s Purity Adhiambo was tournament top scorer while team mate Fatma Mohammed was named most valuable player.

Other players who starred for Mombasa are Mildred Olumasi who was runners-up MVP, Susan Akinyi, Diana Sarah and Evelyn Adhiambo.

Mbaraki Girls will accompany Mombasa High for the provincial championships set for Wundanyi in a fortnight since Mombasa will travel as provincial defending champions.

Shimo La Tewa have Kevin Omindo who was declared top scorer and Stephen Odhiambo who was the tournament Most Valuable player to thank for the clean sweep after the two played pivotal roles in the wins.

In the semi finals, Shimo la Tewa whitewashed Khamis High School 97-35 while Sheikh Khalifa which was the most improved team of the tournament defeated regulars Serani secondary 55-54 in extra time after the teams tied 46-46 in normal time.

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

FORMER National Basketball League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Wilbrod Oketcho escaped death but is bedridden at Mulago Hospital after he was shot at by robbers in Ntinda, a Kampala suburb on Wednesday night.

Oketcho, who led Sadolin Power to the national championship in 2000, was attacked after he had entered his gate at around 9 p.m.

The unidentified men asked him to surrender his belongings that included a mobile phone and wallet but they seemed to have another motive.

They told him to sit down, made a thorough check on him and made off with everything.
"As I tried to get back to my feet, one of the guys turned and shot at me," Oketcho explained yesterday.

The bullet ruptured the left fibular (bone inside the thigh) but Oketcho said he was feeling better after undergoing operation on Thursday afternoon.
"At least I am alive. I just hope to get better by the day," he noted. The injury had earlier been feared to be grave but doctors said there was less to be worried about.
"The fracture is simple. It's only the wound that may take long to heal," Michael Oling, an intern physician, who visited Oketcho in Ward 6C revealed. There is hope Oketcho can play basketball again after proper recovery.
"He may need at least two years before playing again. He just has to keep his weight under check in order to reduce the pressure on the joints and bones," Oling added. His injury is a big loss to Sadolin Power.

Story by SAMMY KITULA
Publication Date: 3/16/2008

David Ogolla of St. Austin’s Academy crashed the boards hard, collecting eight rebounds and scoring 28 points to lead his team to a 82-71 win over Jaffery Academy and a place in the final of the Nairobi schools basketball league final.

In a fast-paced boys’ semi-final played on Saturday at Hope Centre in Kawangware, Ogolla scored in succession to have his team take an early lead of 8-2 after only two minutes of play.

Ogolla said he just wanted to take advantage of the smaller defenders Jaffery’s team put on him and score some easy baskets early. “The way I was going to do that was with offensive rebounding.” he said.

Kamau missed seven two-point field goals he attempted, but was 6-of-9 from 3-point range for 18 points, hitting two big shots in the fourth quarter to help Jaffery’s side tie at 63-63 in the third quarter.

Kevin Samora of St. Austin’s didn’t take his first shot until throwing up a buzzer-beating effort at the end of the first quarter. Yet he still managed to set the tone for the game thanks to his dazzling passing and scoring prowess as he grabbed 10 points in the match.

Put pressure

Kamau’s long-range shooting helped Jaffery put pressure on their opponents as they forced a 34-34 tie at half time. He sank three three-pointers, two of them within of two minutes.

Jaffery scored the first eight points of the third quarter and led 63-61 after Collins Maiteri’s fastbreak lay-up. Kamau kept Jafferys in touch a while longer by scoring his team’s next eight points, hitting two there -pointers and making two free throws after being fouled on the perimeter.

Unlike the last times these teams met, the victors remained on the offensive.

“I think tonight we did a heck of a job just getting back in transition, keeping them in front of us and keeping them off the three-point line. Although Kamau gave us trouble with his sharp shots, we are happy with our performance,” Ogolla said.

Jaffery’s head coach Gabriel Ingotsi rested Maiteri for the first four minutes of the fourth quarter and St. Austin’s went up 70-63 when Simon Oyamo hit a jumper.

Ingotsi called timeout, but continued to rest Maiteri and Jaffery Academy fell further behind when Ogolla made a pair of 3-pointers, the second giving his side a 72-65 lead with 3:04 to go. During their 4:44 scoreless stretch in the last quarter, Jaffery fell behind 80-71 after a series of St. Austin’s defensive stops and fast-breaks that left the 2006 provincial champions gasping and exasperated.

News from Morocco

League's leader IRT got eliminated from Cup competition. Once again RCA blocked the way to IRT, but this time not in the final but in early quarter final. RCA, ASS, MAS and WAC will play semi-finals.

IRT's coach Said Bouzidi was sacked last week and replaced by Nizar Mesbahi. IRT's management said that they were aiming the King's Cup this year but coach Bouzidi did not help them reach their goals.

Under 20 Men National Team will participate in Tourcoing International Tournament from March 17th to March 26 th. Hicham Doghmi was appointed Head Coach.

AMEB (national basketball coaches association) launches their web site (www.ameb.ma) and announced a future agreement with AEEB (Spanish basketball coaches association).

Petro de Luanda will try to stop 1º de Agosto's invincibility, when the two teams play this Friday evening, in Cidadela pavilion, for the third round of the second stage of the national basketball championship, in males category.

With the start scheduled for 07:00 pm, this is the most important game of the round, as the two teams are old rivals and always have a tough time beating each other, promising thus a good game for the public.

Another important detail is the points difference that separate both sides at the general standing, as 1º de Agosto have 28 and Petro 22.

In the latest encounters, 1º de Agosto have won all the games, namely at the final of the Super Cup, in the first round of the National Championship and the first round of the Provincial Championship.

Other games of the round are Universidade Lusiada-Sporting de Luanda, Desportivo da Huila-Promade de Cabinda and Uniao da Catumbela versus Cduan.

A-1 Challenge basketball team will hold their ten-year anniversary celebrations in June this year. The commemorations are estimated to cost sh30m. As part of raising the required amount, A-1 Challenge will hold a dinner fundraiser on Saturday March 15. The event also comprising of a cocktail hour and live band performance will be held at Hotel Africana starting at 6pm. The money raised will go towards the A-1 team’s ten-year anniversary celebrations.

Accolades time
THE KKL 2008 basketball season ends tomorrow at the Aga Khan School with all winners and participating players being awarded their trophies and prizes. The organisers have invited the general public to witness the crowning ceremony as the participants are awarded various accolades starting at 1pm today.

St Austin's and the Nairobi Jaffery's Academy will meet each other in the semifinals of the Nairobi Secondary School Sports Association boys' basketball. Last year St. Austin's won all their games on their way to the nationals, including a 62:45 win over Jaffery's. St. Austin's are five-time national and nine time provincial champion. In the other semifinal St. Mary's School will meet Strathmore.Abraham Kimeu and Marvin Gitungo for sure will be the key players for the team to pull it to the Final. The games are expected with a lot of interest.

THE annual Makerere Open basketball tournament starts today at the Makerere University pool and main ground courts. The Open, which will be played over the weekend, is the final pre-season basketball tournament before the 2008 season starts on first April.

The tournament will undoubtedly be overshadowed by news of Sadolin Power's Wilbrod Oketcho being shot Wednesday night at his residence by robbers.

Meanwhile, qualifiers for the National Secondary Schools Basketball Championship also start this weekend.

The nationwide competition kickoffs Saturday in Kampala with games at Kibuli, Crane High, Emma High and Lubiri secondary schools.

ABC assumed the command of the table for the Santiago South Championships, when they successfully beat Predio 77 to 63, in the second round of competition.
A game where both teams started poorly on both ends of the floor. However, ABC was sparked by their bench players during the second quater, and took comand
of the game from there on. By the end of the their quater, ABC was lead by 30 points, Predio responded late in the, and cut the margin to 15 to close out the game.
The other game, saw even Stars beat Achada Grande without great difficulties, 63 to 44.
In the next round of Regional Championship, ABC will face Achada Grande and Predio will face Seven Stars.

Teams from nine countries are expected into Zimbabwe on April 4, ready for the Zone Six U/18 Championships, hosted by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe.

South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi and Angola are expected to compete in the regional basketball extravaganza from April 5 to 12.

BUZ President Addison Chiware described the championships as a "perfect showcase" to give young players much-needed international experience and for basketball development in the country.

But the timing of the showpiece - so soon after the elections - remains a worry to basketball fanatics who have long been starved of watching their national teams competing in such high-profile competitions.

BUZ Administrator Simeon Lawson said the Union was "very much prepared to host the competition", despite worries of having it postponed.

"We are worried that the timing might affect the attendance, but the council gave us the dates and they were aware of the elections," Lawson said.

60 girls and boys will be in Harare next week for a training camp, at which they will compete for the 12 available places in the two national teams.

The search for the 60 players begins this weekend with teams from Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Harare and Manicaland locking-horns in the capital on Saturday.

Bulawayo will also play hosts to teams from Midlands, Mashonaland North and Mashonaland South as national selectors hunt for talented youngsters to represent the country next month

The Nigerian flagship championship, the Premier League will take the first shot of this term with the opening match between Yelwa Hawks Bauchi and AHIP Giants at the Bauchi Multi Purpose Sports Hall, in Bauchi - a city north of the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The game will be the first of the day as the second match of the season follows immediately after in the same hall with the match between Bauchi Nets and Tapgun Rockets of Jos.

The first match will start at 4pm going by the detail fixtures released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) this week. The teams in the Atlantic Conference will, however, wait until the following weekend when the first shot for the zone will be taken in Lagos via the match between former champions Ebun Comets and the Nigeria Customs team. The game at the National Stadium will be followed immediately by that between Dodan Warriors and Union Bank. The weekend games will move to Asaba in southern part of the West African country the following day as hosts Delta Force step out against Lagos Islanders.

The men will step out in the Savannah Conference more than one week after the ladies start up the first leg of the Zenith Bank League in Abuja. The Federation's League Director Muktar Khaleh confirmed to FIBA that the fixtures will be followed accordingly as all things have been worked out properly.

"What is left now is for us to start, I guess. There's hardly anything left to be arranged," he said.

The league which is holding in full with the Road Trips will mark a return of full action as the full season only held two years back. Last year the Federation settled for a zonal play to select the country's continental representatives. Indeed the last time the Road Trip system last featured in the league was about four seasons ago. But despite the wait for an expected sponsor the teams opted to play the Road Trips and get their players better physically ready for international engagements. The decision was taken February 2nd when the NBBF and the teams met in Abuja.

The league is billed to hold every weekend afterwards and nearly every day from the second week when the Road Trip schedule come into force. The regular season is scheduled to round off by August.

By Pius Ayinor

Mali’s women may have some new faces in their team when the African champions travel to the Beijing Games.

The country qualified for the Olympics after 63-56 victory over hosts Senegal last September at the FIBA Africa Championship for Women.
Tasting success in his first experience in Africa, Mali coach Jose Ruiz is hungry for more and he’s planning on bolstering the squad with some talented youngsters.
"At least eight players who were in Senegal will remain in the team,” the Spain-born French national said to FIBA.
“Our final preparation will start in June, somewhere in Europe, but before it I will be working with young players that I expect to take to the Olympics.”
“They will have the chance to learn and improve with that international event.
“I think that winning the Africa Championship was a major psychological boost for our future.”

Mali’s achievement shocked the basketball establishment because they beat the mega-favorites “Lions” on their own soil. Not surprised was the 53-year-old Ruiz.

Mali lost Senegal in the opening game of the tournament but the final was a different story.

“It was not easy to defeat Senegal at home,” Ruiz said. “We lost first game, but we were clever enough to beat them in the final game. We studied Senegal’s weak points, and we made it.
“Senegal played a very good defensive game throughout the tournament, but our counter-attack option helped us a lot.
“Our team was well-prepared. My players showed a great determination to win. Their ambition was very clear in their eyes.”
Mali are the only African side to have secured a spot for Beijing.
Senegal and Africa’s bronze medalists Angola will also play the Pre-Olympic Tournament in Spain in June.
Ruiz believes that Africa’s teams have enough resources to face the big teams.
“Well, seven or eight Africans I saw in the Africa Championship are good enough to play at a high-level.
“Together, they could play neck-neck to a giant like Russia for example.”
Gambrinus Brno’s Hamchetou Maiga is Mali’s key-player, but Ruiz believes that his side is well served with talents spread all over Europe and the United States.
“Yes, Hamchetou is a great player who helps us very much due to her experience in the WNBA and Europe. We also have Diwara Nare [drafted in 2007 in 30th by San Antonio Silvers]. Alongside them are quiet good players here in France.”

Jose Ruiz never hesitated when asked if he would like to coach Mali.

Born in Spain, he has lived in France for more than 30 years. Malian officials approached him last year to offer him the job and he quickly accepted.
“I already knew a few African players here,” he said. “Knowing their quality and determination to work, I accepted it.
“Now, I will be at the Olympics, which is an opportunity that any sportsman/woman would like to live.
“We are conscious that any world giant may cross our road. We will be humble enough to play our game”
“We expect to play as well in Beijing as we played in Senegal last year. If that happens, it will be another incentive for Malian basketball.”

by Julio Chitunda

The Tanzania Basketball Federation (BFT) has named referees who will handle the National Basketball League (NBL) set to start in Tanga from March 25.
TBF president Richard Kasesera said yesterday the selection of the referees was done by the body`s referees commission which met in the city recently.
Referees are George Kitundu, Said Khamis, Oden Mbaga, Alfred Ngalaji, John Golita, Gosbert Boniface, Daniel Patrick and Haleluya Kavalambi.
He named commissioners as Zulifrikar Karim, Hamidu Halekwa, Jimmy Mkongo and Manase Zabron. Assistant referees are Prosper Mushi and Francis Chalamila.
Kasesera named men`s teams which had so far confirmed participation as Mbeya Friends, Baptista of Moshi, Savio, JKT, Oilers, Vijana, ABC and Chui.
Women`s teams are JKT, Jeshi Stars, Lady Lion and Cargo Ladies.

1º de Agosto's senior females team of basketball on Wednesday here won the 18th edition of the Angola League Cup, after beating Grupo Desportivo do Maculusso by 68-36, in a second round game that took place in Rio Seco Pavilion.

By half time, 1º de Agosto, coached by Raúl Duarte, were already winning by 31-17.

Nacissela Maurício (1º de Agosto) and Felizarda Jorge (Grupo Desportivo do Maculusso) were the best scorers of the match with 16 points.

In the first round game, held on Monday, 1º de Agosto beat Maculusso by 67-46.

This is the second trophy of 1º de Agosto, this year, after winning also the Super Cup, in a final match against Inter Clube.

1º de Agosto's senior females team of basketball on Wednesday here won the 18th edition of the Angola League Cup, after beating Grupo Desportivo do Maculusso by 68-36, in a second round game that took place in Rio Seco Pavilion.

By half time, 1º de Agosto, coached by Raúl Duarte, were already winning by 31-17.

Nacissela Maurício (1º de Agosto) and Felizarda Jorge (Grupo Desportivo do Maculusso) were the best scorers of the match with 16 points.

In the first round game, held on Monday, 1º de Agosto beat Maculusso by 67-46.

This is the second trophy of 1º de Agosto, this year, after winning also the Super Cup, in a final match against Inter Clube.

A German basketball expert, Frank Albin, has just arrived in Namibia for a period of three months to conduct training courses for coaches and teachers, it was announced by the embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany.

His visit to the country is financially made possible by the sports promotion programme of the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Albin will hold basketball clinics in Windhoek, Rehoboth, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay and Omaruru.

The courses aim at, amongst others, the training of coaches and teachers and the support for the establishment of sport structures.

At the end of the training programme, a donation of basketball equipment, made available by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will be handed over to Namibian partners.

After many years of absence from the national championships, basketball in Porto Novo seems to want to gain a new breath, with the realization of this years' regional championship of the island of Santo Antao. Four teams equip will dispute the title of regional champion of basketball, in senior men's division: two from Porto Novo (Maritimo e Fiorentina) and two from Ribeira Grande (Ponta do Sol e Povoacao).

The championship will be disputed in the system all against all, three rounds. The top two finishes will face each other in the playoff, best of three. The winner will go to represent the island of mountains, in the national championship. The first official game of the championship of basketball of the present season will happen, on the4 15 of March, in the Tinim pavilion. The first round games will be, Fiorentina vs. Povoacao, and Maritimo vs. Ponta do Sol.

Yesterday LOP management had a meeting with the teams in the LOP and one of the issues that was raised was the lack of support at games. It was suggested that teams start running their teams professionaly so that they can start marketing and creating fan bases. This fan base would be the foundation of a regular crowd that would attend the LOP games.

The challenge is how do we entice spectators to leave whatever they are doing to come support a game on Friday or Sunday? Well I think a marketing strategy is the first place to start. Who's your target market and how are you going to convince them to support your team?

In the NBA, teams have support in their local cities and big franchise have supporters from all over the world. But the fans in the surrounding areas are the guys who's bums you are trying to get on seats.

This presents a bit of a challenge for teams in the LOP because some of them don't have a local support base or infrastructure. Teams like Egoli Magic, Wits Rebels, and Phuto's Fly don't really have a strong proposition for their 'fans'. But then again what about the varsities? Surely they should be in the best position to make this happen.

Back in the day when I played at Wits University our committee used the limited resources at our disposal to create a fan base amongst our students. All we needed was a computer, limited microsoft office knowledge and a printer and voila 100 or more people would attend our games. At one point we even had a cheerleading squad with girls lining up to be apart of it. The atmosphere at our games was electric, especially when we played the African Warriors or Vaal Tech.

Credit needs to obviously go to the 'hunks' who were recruited into the team. They were the drawcard for all the young ladies who loved seeing sweaty men running up and down the floor. But it wasn't just about the looks. We also played very entertaining basketball. People quickly realised that basketball is actually a very exciting sport to watch.

So why isn't the Wits Basketball Club, MGI, and Boston doing the same on their campuses? Major rivalries can be created, and even fanclubs. Further down the line they will be able to even convice sponsors to come on board, like we did with Loxion Kulca. If Standard Bank gave us that Sponsorship money back then we would have given them a lot more return on investement than the current team.

However, in order for LOP to achieve this teams need to be run like businesses. We can't keep doing the same things and expect things to change.

They say that 'stupidy is doing the same things and expecting different results'. We need to follow in the footsteps of Barrack Obama and ask for change. Let's make it happen.

Sammy Kitula
Nairobi

The Nairobi Secondary School Sports Association boys' basketball league semifinals to be played on Saturday have thrown up two interesting matches but the one to look out for is that between St Austin's and the Nairobi Jaffery's Academy.

History favours St. Austin's who have won two of the three matches the two sided have played against each other since 2006.

However, Jafferys have vowed to defy the form books and win not just Saturday's semi final at World Hope Centre in Kawangware, but also a second provincial title.

Second meeting

"We know that our opponents have a very rich past compared to us but this will not deter us from claiming victory. We have built a very young but agile team and come Saturday, we will pour out all our game," said Jaffery's head coach, Gabriel Ingotsi. This will also be the second time these two teams will be meeting at the same level, after they first met in 2006.

"We played our hearts out then and defeated our opponents hands down. Our win made us realise that we could match top teams in the country," says Ingotsi.

Last year, St. Austin's won all their games on their way to the nationals, including a 62-45 pay-back win over their Jaffery's. Ingotsi says that their semi-final match will be a good challenge as it will be like a 'final' to both teams.

"It's going to be a 50-50 affair since both teams are capable of winning the provincial trophy as well as the national title," says Ingotsi.

"It will be at this point that the strongest team in the league will be gauged. It won't be easy for both teams though," he adds.

St. Austin's, five-time national and nine time provincial champions, will be relying much on their high scoring guards, David Ogolla and Kevin Samora for points to take them to the final.

Showdown

"I never wanted to meet them at this level but there is no turning back and my boys are all ready for the showdown," said Maina.
The other semi-final features St. Mary's School and Strathmore.
St. Mary's, who have lost only twice in their campaign, will be relying on the services of their two top players, Abraham Kimeu and Marvin Gitungo.

In the girls' semi-finals, defending champions, St. George's will battle it out with former champions Pangani Girls, while Moi Nairobi Girls will play Buruburu Girls in the second match.

Sande Bashaija
Kampala

THE Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) have been told to relocate their offices from YMCA Wandegeya. The institution intends to redevelop the plot on which the Fuba office sits.

"YMCA people have been very good to us and we must thank them for accommodating us for such a long time. We are looking around for options. This place has been very convenient but there is nothing we can do," Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya told Daily Monitor.

Fuba were paying over Shs2m in annual ground rent to YMCA but may find it difficult securing office space at that amount.

"We have tried NCS (National Council of Sports) but all they could get us is a store. But all in all we are grateful for their kind gesture," Tashobya stated.
"Office space in a very convenient location like Nakasero might be very costly but there is nothing to. We have to look for money and pay."

League games will however be hosted at YMCA for the time being but there are fears the basketball courts could also be redeveloped into other structures.

"The administration has assured us about the playing courts. As an institution, they also need recreation grounds. That's why we are sure of having our league games here," he added. The league begins on April 11.

Twenty three athletes were chosen to be part of the under 18s female pre-selected team that will compete for the qualification stage of Zone VI, happening in Harare on 05-12 April.

With six players, 1º de Agosto is the team with the highest number of athletes, followed by Interclube and Juventude de Viana, both with four, according to a statement from the Angolan Basketball Federation that ANGOP had access to.

The summoned players are Fineza Eusebio, Claúdia Dundão, Luisa Ferreira, Rosária Keta, Janeth Jazi and Cristina Makititi (1º de Agosto); Conceição António, Nazaré João, Luisa Simão and Mavuba Mireiles (Inter Clube); Kiaco Dongala (G.D.Nocal), Elisabeth Pascoal, Jiveti Pedro Lusilavovo, Flora Bernardo and Marilia Pascoal (Juventude de Viana), Elsa Manuel and Ruth Fernandes (Futebol Clube Vila Clotilde); Ana Claúdia and Matilde Sachitué (Inter Clube de Benguela).

Neid Sif Calino (Casa P. do Porto do Lobito), Surdia Mateus, Tatiana Marques and Francisca Diniz (Benfica Petróleos da Huíla).

The main Coach is Apolinário Paquete from Inter Clube de Angola, who will be assisted by Fernando Sapalo, also from Interclube, as well as Hilário Filipe Bernardo, from Inter Clube de Benguela.

Kenya national Premier League will now throw off on April 19, following the elections of new office bearers.

And at the same time it was welcome news for the games fraternity as Kenya announced intentions to return to continental competitions with a big bang.This will be both at club and continental level.

Making the announcements, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) 1st vice chairman Henry Shihemi, told FIBA that newly the elected office's main priority is to make basketball the number one sport in the country besides looking for corporate sponsorships.

He said that Kenya will be busier at the continental level than ever before as KBF will enter teams in all continental competitions organised by FIBA Africa both at national and club level.

"We will participate in any continentally organsied championships both for the juniors and the seniors and this will start with the U 18 boys and girls Zonal qualifiers slated for Uganda mid this year." said Shihemi.

The Zone Five secretary Vitalis Gode have already released the expected dates for the Kampala show that will bring together youngsters from host Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania and Kenya. The dates are June 16-24.

This move will surely exite local players many of who have waited for the opportunities to showcase their talents in vain. Kenya have been out of the Masculine championships since 1993 when it was held in Nairobi.They have been active only at the club level.

After a ten year's hiatus, KBF last September managed to send the ladies national side for the Feminine championships played in Dakar, Senegal where they found the going rough they fnished last last among tewlve teams in the event won for the first time by Mali.

Noting that the training of coaches and referees is a must for the competent running of the sport, KBF, he said will soon embark on this vital excercise to make the officials competent enough for the many assignments ahead.

Shihemi said that the 2008 season will start with the Pre Season tournament on April 5-6 to be followed by the Premier and Division One league matches two weeks latter.

Teams will use the opening tournament to gauge their strengths and test their new signings. A good number of clubs have already started training and are expected to increase the tempo now that the tip off dates have been released.