Basketball in Africa

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) named a provisional list of 41 players who will start training for the Zone Five Africa qualifiers slated for Kampala, Uganda next month.

While releasing the names of 22 girls and 19 boys, KBF fixtures secretary Joseph Amoko told FIBA yesterday that the teams will assemble for strict training in Kisumu early in August once the schools are closed for the holidays.

"Already weekly training sessions is going on in both Mombasa and Nairobi under the two coaches who will handle the teams. We will organise a proper schedule once we have all the players together." said Amoko who appealed for well wishers to come to the teams aid.

KBF slected the players during the Kenya Secondary School championships that was held in Mangu High School, Thika in April but have delayed the naming of the players because it was thought it would distract them from their daily academic work.

The championships will take place at the Lugogo Indoor Stadium in Kampala from August 11-16 and will involve teams from Burundi, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia and host Uganda. The winners will qualify for the Africa event in October.

Succesful High school coaches Phillip Onyango (Mombasa High) and David Maina (St Austins) were given the task of handling the teams to glory in this regional event. Out of the players named, only 11 turn out for clubs while the rest are high school and college students.

FIBA Africa have set the deadline for registration of the players as July 15 and it will be by birth only. Only players under that age bracket will be allowed to take part in the tournament. Penalty will be meted out to those who cheat.

Girls- Yvonne Mashedi (Storms), Debrah Obunga , Mercy Otieno (Crusiers), Anastasia Njeri, Ingrid Auma, (Eagle Wings), Joyce Misita, Florence Ademo (Tigoi Girls), Everlyne Adhiambo, Purity Adhiambo, Dinah Sarah, Margaret Wambui , Mildred Olumasi, Susan Akinyi (Mombasa High), Arabella Litole, Getrude Atieno, (Pangani Girls), Millicent Adhiambo (Shimba Hiills), Sophia Mando (Waa Girls) Gloria Nyamwanda (Buru Buru Girls), Virginia Awino (Langata Sec), Grace Wanjiku (Starthmore), Pauline Awuor (Bura Girls) and Milka Atieno (Machakos Girls).

Roster: Tibanus Menya, Michael Otula, Moses Wanjala (Maseno High) , Titus Musembi (KCA University), Samora Kevin, Simon Oyamo, David Ogolla, (St Austins), Samuel Odera (Changamwe), Joseph Shituma (UoN), Erick Reuben (Kayole Secondary), Evans Leting (USIU), Taila Okamu (Friends Kamusinga), Anthony Okello (KPA), Zadock Odhiambo (Baptist), Eric Nyamai, Joshua Orwa (Lakeside) and Kevin Ominde (Shimo) Anthony Abinadab, John Paul Nyandaro (Posta).

Dann OWERRE
from fiba.com