18 June 2008
KENYA : Nyayo crowds impress minister Khang'ati
by PHILIP ONYANGO
Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister Alfred Khangati is happy that huge crowds are turning up to watch national classic basketball league matches at the Nyayo National Stadium Gym.
Khangati, who together with his family joined huge crowd of fans to watch Sunday’s league matches, said it would be easier for the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) to get sponsors as a result and urged the federation officials to engage in sound marketing strategies.
“I’m personally very impressed with the huge crowds that I can see here and the high standards of the game being played and believe that very soon , sponsors will be knocking at your doors”, the former Kenya Volleyball Federation boss said during the Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and Kenya Ports Authority contest , which was won 88-67 by the Lions.
Khangati said he would ensure that Prime Minister Raila Odinga joins other basketball fans at Nyayo to watch the games soon. “My boss loves all sports and very soon he will be sitting with you here at Nyayo to watch some top basketball action himself,” Khangati, who was flanked by KBF chairman Paul Otula and treasurer Peter Orero, said in reference to Mr Odinga who is a frequent visitor at the local soccer stadiums for top football action.
Under-18 teams
Khangati promised that his office will support the Kenya under 18 boys and girls basketball teams currently in training for the zone five Africa nations cup qualifiers set for August 10-16 in Uganda. “I have told the KBF officials to write a letter to us and I promise to use every means to ensure the national junior teams to Uganda is funded and kitted by the National Olympics Committee since this will also be an important national assignment,”he said.
Orero and Otula said students can watch the league matches for free as long as they are in school uniform. He wants all the basketball teachers to ensure their students throng the Nyayo gym to watch league matches every weekend saying this will improve the sport's standards in the schools in the long run.
Orero said students will only be required to produce school identity cards during holidays to ensure continuity. “We are happy that the crowds are back and that we can now afford to allow students free entry as one way of helping to develop the game of basketball among schools,”Orero who is also the principal of Langata High School said.
Assistant Minister in the office of the Prime Minister Alfred Khangati is happy that huge crowds are turning up to watch national classic basketball league matches at the Nyayo National Stadium Gym.
Khangati, who together with his family joined huge crowd of fans to watch Sunday’s league matches, said it would be easier for the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) to get sponsors as a result and urged the federation officials to engage in sound marketing strategies.
“I’m personally very impressed with the huge crowds that I can see here and the high standards of the game being played and believe that very soon , sponsors will be knocking at your doors”, the former Kenya Volleyball Federation boss said during the Kenya Commercial Bank Lions and Kenya Ports Authority contest , which was won 88-67 by the Lions.
Khangati said he would ensure that Prime Minister Raila Odinga joins other basketball fans at Nyayo to watch the games soon. “My boss loves all sports and very soon he will be sitting with you here at Nyayo to watch some top basketball action himself,” Khangati, who was flanked by KBF chairman Paul Otula and treasurer Peter Orero, said in reference to Mr Odinga who is a frequent visitor at the local soccer stadiums for top football action.
Under-18 teams
Khangati promised that his office will support the Kenya under 18 boys and girls basketball teams currently in training for the zone five Africa nations cup qualifiers set for August 10-16 in Uganda. “I have told the KBF officials to write a letter to us and I promise to use every means to ensure the national junior teams to Uganda is funded and kitted by the National Olympics Committee since this will also be an important national assignment,”he said.
Orero and Otula said students can watch the league matches for free as long as they are in school uniform. He wants all the basketball teachers to ensure their students throng the Nyayo gym to watch league matches every weekend saying this will improve the sport's standards in the schools in the long run.
Orero said students will only be required to produce school identity cards during holidays to ensure continuity. “We are happy that the crowds are back and that we can now afford to allow students free entry as one way of helping to develop the game of basketball among schools,”Orero who is also the principal of Langata High School said.
# posted by afrbk : 09:26
