Basketball in Africa

After 57/54 victory over Al-Shabab in the final game held at Suliman Al-Zarrat , Al-Ittihad had been crowned the Al-Fatah Tournament for distinguished teams. The game that was run by the referees Mohamed Albraki and Hamid Houmry ended for Al-Ittihad and the results of the quarters came as following .
First quarter, 15/19 for Al-Shabab.
Second quarter, 29/31 for Al-Shabab.
Third quarter, 41/40 for Al-Ittihad.
Fourth quarter, 57/54 for Al-Ittihad. To be mentioned that Ahli of Benghazi had won the third place in the tournament after defeating Al-Nasar 72/64 in the game that was run by the referees Abed Alaziz Al-Maquri, Fouad Brghash, and Ibrahim Abed Allah.

At Gurtouba Hall in Tripoli, Al-Shabab Basketball Team are getting ready for participation in the African Tournament for the holders of the cups that would be held in Tunisia next month October. To be mentioned that Al-Shabab are coaching under seeing of Serbian Milofich.

A Premier league clash between reigning champions KCB Lions and United States International University (USIU) was abandoned in the fourth quarter after a scuffle ensued at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Lions were ahead 54-47 with 2:32 minutes left in this tie that also saw four players called for unsportsmanlike fouls and one given a technical fouls. The two whose tussle resulted in all this were Aru Ramadhan (USIU) and the lanky Anthony Were (Lions).
Henry Shihemi, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) vice chairman and the man incharge of technical told FIBA correspondent after the final whistle that they will meet to decide on the fate of the abandoned match.
"We called off the match after it became a free for all. We will sit down as an office and make a decission." he said, adding that "there might be need for a video evidence."
Lions coach Francis Ngunjiri blamed the match referees saying. "they failed to control the game that also saw my team lose three players due to injuries inflicted by our opponents."
The unbeaten Lions, who had played 15 games winning all were up 21-18 13-9 and 15-9 in the three quarters.

In an exiting top clash involving former national champions, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) nipped Co-operative Bank of Kenya 76-73 in a lively show. The bankers were ahead in the first three quarters 16-12, 25-16, 23-16 before gloing down 19-12 in the last one.
Richard Osano scored 21 points while Boby Okwako managed 15 for Co-op. KPA, who hammered KU 105-83 the previous day, had Musa Odari nailing 20 and Mike Opel sinking another 11.
KPA had their best outing at the Nairobi West venue with a whooping 105-83 thumping of Kenyatta University "PIrates" in the mens showdown.
The match was a closely knite one and was decided by deadly marksmen from beyond the three point land by Furaha Odari and Dan Okwirri . KPA scored five in the last quarter.
With KU leading 71-69 on two foul shots by Griifin Ligare, KPA took over on a Furaha Odari three. Then in the last quarter another Furaha, Patrick Kirui free shots and another two more threes by Dan Okwirri and Odari saw KPA away 93-76.
Kirui led the rout with 16 points, Musa Odari shot 15, John Apollo made 14 and Furaha hit 11 for KPA. Ligare led point getters with 28 points and Phil Dinga scored 17 points.

Bottom placed Java Warriors lost 80-92 to International Christian Center (ICC). The victors never let go the lead as Luka Lukongo hit 27 points, Vito Khote scored 15 and Samule Kyalo hit 14. For Warriors, Dan Imbali was the toast with 24 and Ken Githinji shot 19.

Reigning champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) beat Strathmore University 49-29.The portswomen made it two wins out of two against the varsity sides after demolishing University of Nairobi "Dynamites" 63-20 the previous day.

The wins saw them leapfrog Sprite Storms to the second spot in the seven team table with 20 points from 11 ties.Strathmore trailed 4-11 in the first quarter before taking the second 12-8.

The third was a close affair with KPA having a 1-9 edge before the champions superiority showed in the last which they strongly dominated with a 20-4 difference.Everlyen Akoth led KPA with 20 points while Faith Owich was the Blades toast with 10 points.

Strathmore tactican Sylvia Njeri commended her girls for putting up a fight. "We played well in the three quarters but faltered in the last due to experience and fatigue.To me they did pretty well." she said.
Velma Juma led a KPA attack against UoN Dynamites who posted a tenth loss this season and efforts by Rose Apondi, Joyce Sala and Astabina Sichiri showed for nothing much at the end of the show.

by Dann OWERRE
FIBA.com

MTN-FUBA League
Men division 1
Falcons 66 Lions 42
Canons 60 Crane 46
Women
A1 55 Sparks 49
Canons w/o Nabisunsa
Rhino 29 Crane 24
Cubs 41 Lakers 27

By Charles Mutebi

HENRY Malinga scored a team-high 13 points to help Mogas Falcons boost their playoff ambitions with a 66-42 victory over the KCC Lions at Namboole, Sunday.

In the women’s division, A1 Challenge took their perfect record this season to 13 straight wins, with a 55-49 defeat of the Makerere Sparks. UCU Canons claimed a walkover against Nabisunsa, who lead the standings.
The Mukono-based team have 28 points from 16 games, two ahead of A1, who have played three less.

The men’s defending champions, who were returning from a three-week break, ensured there were no surprises in their game as they led from start to finish.
Thanks to new acquisition Isaac Lugedde, who scored 12 points, Falcons outscored the Lions 20-7 in the first quarter.
And although the Lions fought back to cut the deficit to 13 by halftime, the Falcons outgunned them 14-12 in the third before extending their lead further in the final quarter.
For the KCC Lions, for whom Dibso Dibel (15) and Michael Opolot (8) were the outstanding players, it is back to the same old energy-sapping losses.
The latest took their loss record to 12 out of 14 games and left them propping the table with 16 points, almost certainly ensuring they will ultimately be relegated.
While for the Falcons, the win meant they rise to fourth on the table with 20 points, putting them in position to guarantee playoff qualification with six games to play.

DARREN LESPERANCE wanted to prove a point against his former team on Sunday as he helped Premium Cobras steamroller Angels 104-67 in a Men’s Division One match at the Palais des Sports.

Seychelles international Lesperance, who joined the Cobras during the mid-season break, came off the bench to score 17 points, including five treys.
He was one of four players in double figures as the Cobras got balanced scoring.
Nigerian Alao Solomon led all scores with 36 points, including three 3-pointers, compatriot Simon Pusam added 15 and Seychelles power forward Dominic Pillay got 12 as Premium Cobras collected their 14th win in 16 games for 30 points.
As for Angels, Keiren Agathine carried the scoring load with 22 points and was helped in offence by Norcy Agathine with 18 personal points – among those 12 coming from behind the arc.
The defeat was Angels’ ninth in 16 matches for 23 points.

In a Men’s Division Two encounter, Pointe Larue Falcons got 21 points from Sam Gabriel and 17 from Gaetan Galman on the way to a 64-35 defeat of Cadets.
The Falcons, whose chances of winning automatic promotion to the Men’s Division One league next season are now almost over as they have conceded three defeats, have 25 points after 12 wins in 15 games played.
Cadets were paced by Alvin Belize with 11 points.

In the Women’s League, Juniors were no match for RA Sisters and they went down 14-108 on Sunday.

The Sisters dominated all four quarters, 22-2, 13-8, 40-4 and 33-2, on the way to their fourth win in 10 games for 14 points.
Tessa Mathiot led all scores with 34 points, but skipper Sylvie Port-Louis got 26 and Sylvia Sophie 17 to help RA Sisters finish fourth in the six-team league championship.
Juniors, who got five points from both Sandra Hoareau and Jurysanne Mémé, have lost all their 10 games.
If Juniors have not been able to celebrate victory even once, HotShots finished the season with an unbeaten record in 10 games to dethrone Anse Etoile Stars as champions.
The Stars needed to win by a 12-point margin in Saturday’s title decider to keep alive their chances of defending their title, but they lost 59-62.

G. G.

Sticking to its tradition of rendering quality service to humanity, First Deepwater Discovery Limited lived up to one of its vision statement of having people in mind by single-handedly sponsoring the Nigeria Wheelchair Basketball to the Africa U-22 Championship holding in Johannesburg, South Africa from September 30 through October 5, 2008.

Our Correspondent reliably gathered that the Oil and Gas firm was responsible for the team camping of two-week in Lagos and also took charge of paying the team way to the Africa Championship which doubled as the 2009 World Championship qualifiers.

Head coach of the special basketball players; O’Brien Adoki a senior lecturer at the nation’s prestigious sports institute, NIS says the team will not disappoint the confidence repose in them by the sponsor and the team fans.

Managing Director of First Deepwater Discovery Limited, Engr. Babatunde Babalola promised his company continuous support for the slamming and dunking game in Nigeria.
“Ours is a social responsibility with human face having played the game actively as a student at the Federal University of Technology Akure and as a pass-time now, we are obligated to do our best as a responsible corporate citizen to offer our support to the games’ ruling body, the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF and the players in general.
“We feel fulfilled been able to lend a helping hand to our fellow human in the area of sport as we are set and prepared to contribute our quota to the development of this beautiful game.

Eight players and four officials left Lagos aboard a South Africa Airline on Monday evening while the remaining four players and two officials joined the team Wednesday morning after having the issuance of their entry visa delayed till Tuesday by the South African embassy in Lagos.

By Olusegun Ikuesan

Three countries, host South Africa, Angola and Nigeria are battling for the continent sole ticket to the World Championship billed for France next year are taking part of the week-long qualifiers.

by Sande Bashaija
Namboole

Saturday results
UCU 47-43 TLC
Bushc’t 49-50 Ndejje
Lakers 27-41 Cubs
Berkley 42-45 Vegetarian
Amazon 29-24 Crane High
Crane 46-60 UCU
Sunday
St Michael 62-59 Sharing
Heaters 71-90 Rocks
UCU 20-00 Nabisunsa
Bugema 84- 41 Biston
Mak 49-55 A-1
Falcons 66-42 KCC
Today at Lugogo
Lakers v Amazon 5pm
Bugema v Heaters 6:30pm
Vegetarian v Rhino 8pm

A-1 Challenge are virtually assured of a place in the MTN-Fuba League play-offs after they overcame Makerere Sparks 55-49 to record their 14th straight victory at Namboole, Sunday evening.

The 2005 champions are now perched at the top of the table with 28 points and still on course to finish the regular season unbeaten.

Claire Ahumuza scored 12 points, Elizabeth Kizza 10 and Aggie Nantogo chipped in with eight as A-1 Challenge built on a 23-14 first half lead to snatch victory.
Sparks put their act together in the third quarter, winning 20-16 but the last session ended 16-all to ensure the Makerere side misses the post season for a second year running.
Atim Melody and Sandra Munduru had 15 points each while Lyn Nalunkuma contributed eight for Sparks. A-1 can now afford to lose all their remaining games but still finish in the top four.

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Results
CSK 54-65 Marine
Rusizi 20-00 Espoir
UGB 73-78 Marine
KIE 53-84 CSK
Rusizi 65-82 APR

Women
KIE 20-00 Fawe
KIE 15-78 UNR
Fawe 00-20 UNR

APR basketball club are just a game away from rewriting history as the first club to finish the regular season unbeaten.
The former champions thrashed Rusizi 82-65 on Sunday to record their 13th win on the trot.
The Indomitable Lions roared from the start, finishing the first quarter with an 18-12 lead before going into recess with a 44-33 lead.
Rusizi, who are on the verge of playing in their second successive play-offs showed resilience but still fell short in the third quarter 8-19.
The Western Province outfit finally pulled off a 24-19 lead in the fourth quarter but that only reduced the big gap.
The towering Bienvenue Ngandu collected a game high 22 points while shooting forward Presta Malemba added 18 for Cliff Owuor's side.
After the win, Owuor said, "It's another win for us and we are happy we did it again. We are now looking forward to our final game against UGB (United Generation Basketball)."
In the other games, Marine returned to winning ways at the weekend after back to back wins over CSK and UGB.
The defending champions started their emphatic run with a dramatic 65-54 win over CSK, a side they beat to the title last season before topping it up with a close 78-73 win against UGB.
The two victories took the Gisenyi-based club to 23 points, three adrift of table leaders APR.
CSK bounced back from the Marine defeat with an impressive 84-53 victory over minnows Kigali Institute of Education (KIE).
Espoir could pay for their forfeiting points against Marine. The 2004 champions are in fifth place with 18 points, two adrift of Rusizi and CSK who are jointly tied in third spot.

In the ladies' fray, UNR controlled proceedings after wins over KIE and Fawe. The Varsity side thumped KIE 78-15 before bagging forfeited points against Fawe.

National league

1. APR 26 pts
2. Marine 23 pts
3. Rusizi 20pts
3. CSK 20 pts
5. Espoir 18pts
6. UGB 13pts
7. UNR 11pts
8. KIE 11pts

ONLY Anse Etoile Stars could stop HotShots from being crowned 2008 Women’s League champions. Instead the Anse Boileau-based team wrestled the championship title from the grasps of the Stars who had held it in their possession for the last three years.

On Saturday at the Palais des Sports, HotShots won the title decider 62-59 to be crowned champions with an unbeaten record in 10 games in the six-team league.
After losing the first-round encounter 46-57, the Stars needed to win by at least a 12-point margin to harbour the hope of retaining the title. But with skipper and centre Tina Agathine being a pillar of strength for HotShots, the Stars had no chance of putting one over their main rivals.
Agathine was instrumental for HotShots at both ends of the court – bringing down defensive and offensive rebounds, blocking shots and scoring in the paint. In fact, she led all scores with 27 points, but got valuable help in offence from Jenita Toussaint (16 points including four 3-pointers) and Seychelles power forward Myra Solin (13 points).

A volleyballer with Women’s Division One League champions Arsu, Agathine scored 10 points for HotShots in the first quarter which they won 14-12.

In the second quarter, HotShots trailed but twice equalised at 23-23 and 25-25 until the Stars got back-to-back treys from Brigitte Nibourette and playmaker Lindy Mathiot to go for the breather with a six-point lead – 31-25.

On a Geneviève Beaudoin 3-pointer with less than four minutes played in the third quarter, Anse Etoile Stars brought their lead to nine points (39-30) and they must have thought they could achieve their objective of a big win.

In less than three minutes, the score was once again locked at 41-41 as Toussaint buried the third of her four treys, but HotShots trailed 43-47 at the end of 30 minutes of play.
On a Solin lay-up with 5 minutes 39 seconds (5:39) left in the fourth quarter HotShots again equalised at 51-51 and when Agathine gave them the lead at 53-51 on another lay-up following a nice roll, the Stars had to do the chasing.
On an Agathine jumper with 3:40 left on the clock, HotShots led 60-53, but coach Philip Arissol’s team scored just two more points through their top scorer, while the Stars got six but still not enough to get them the win they wanted.
Playmaker Mathiot (13 points) and Beaudoin (12) were the Stars’ best scorers.
Speaking to Sports Nation, HotShots’ skipper and centre Agathine said: “We worked hard for today’s (Saturday’s) victory. We were determined as we did not want to commit the same mistake as last year when we conceded a heart-breaking defeat in the second-round encounter after we won the first match. I knew I could make the difference today (Saturday) and I heeded my coach’s advice to talk less with the game’s officials, play hard and score.”

Coach Arissol dedicated the victory and the championship title to all his players.

“They wanted it and they got it. But I’m not a 100% satisfied with how we played. Now, we can shift our focus on the defence of the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup crown. I have a feeling that we will meet the Stars in the final and the match winners will be decided in the third match.”

This is HotShots’ only second league triumph and the first came in 2002.

G. G.

BAYA players were tuned into what coach Michel Malbrook wanted the team to do and they kept shooting from all over the court and from every angle. By the end of Saturday’s lopsided 88-65 win against defending champions PLS Hawks, they had one hand on the Men’s Division One league trophy.

Convincing wins against Premium Cobras (83-72) and MBU Rockers (92-62) in their last two matches had confirmed Baya’s purple patch as they showed their fans and neutral supporters that they have matured.

Against PLS Hawks who had beaten them 88-78 in the first-round match-up, Baya had to get an 11-point difference victory to stay in the title race. They did it with an even bigger margin – 23 points – something which on paper looked almost impossible.
“I wanted this win and it’s a crushing win,” said coach Malbrook to Sports Nation after Baya steamrollered PLS Hawks whom he helped win trophies during his days as a playmaker.

Baya trailed 13-16 at the end of the first quarter, but asserted their grip on the match when sharp shooter Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille was given some breathing space by the Hawks defenders. He got 17 of his game-leading 34 points in the second 10-minute spell which Baya won 27-15 to lead 40-31 at half-time.

When Seychelles centre Rodney Lozé, who came on as a substitute, fouled out with 2.8 seconds left to play in the third quarter and the Hawks trailing by 11 points – 43-54 – coach Tony Juliette somehow understood that it was going to be a tough afternoon for his team.

The closest the Hawks came was at nine points – 51-60 – on a free-throw by Stephen Omony who played well below his usual high standard for 26 points.

Then Baya, who lost centre Robert Léon with five personal fouls with 2:50 elapsed in the fourth quarter, started firing on all cylinders as they answered each time the Hawks scored.

Dave Roseline played a fine game getting some big stats, especially in offence with 18 points and brought Baya’s lead to 15 points – 70-55 – on a lay-up with 6:29 left on the clock.

When Bernard Cherry netted three of four free-throws with 29.4 seconds to play after the referee called an unsportsmanlike foul on former teammate Timmy Adam who was also disqualified, Baya’s lead had jumped to 19 points – 83-64 – and they netted another five points, while the Hawks got only one.

“We wanted the win and we got it. We were determined and although it could be seen as a blow-out win, it was still a tough match against PLS Hawks. We now have to keep our heads on our shoulders to get a win against RC Dynamics to be crowned champions,” said ‘JP’ – one of four players along with Cherry, Hendricks Denis and Léon who failed to shine for PLS Hawks before joining Baya.

The onus is on Baya to become only the third team other than PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras to win the Men’s Division One title in the new club era.
They could now bring the champagne to Victoria Gymnasium next weekend when they play RC Dynamics in their final league match.
A win will see them hoist the coveted league title as PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras, who have two losses each like Baya, are still to meet each other and one of them will definitely come out losers. But still Baya will be the champions as they have a better head-to-head score against those two big guns.
With their chance of winning the title being very slim, Cobras’ Solomon, who made magic with a 52-point act in a come-from-behind 89-86 first-round win against the Hawks, said:
“There’s no more magic. Baya are the champions. Even if we beat PLS Hawks, there won’t be any consequences on the outcome of the league.”

Praslin Warriors 57 … MBU Rockers 83

MBU Rockers travelled to Praslin on Saturday and they returned to Mahe 83-57 winners against Praslin Warriors who won the first half 31-27.
With Cyril Agrippine (27 points), skipper and playmaker Nigel Sinon (25) and Brian Morel (10) combining for 62 of their team’s points, the Rockers outscored the Warriors 56-26 in the second half for their 10th win in 16 games for 26 points.

The Warriors got 23 points from Ronny Julienne and 15 from Joseph Souffe.

Cascade Bullets 68 … Beau Vallon Heat 78

Beau Vallon Heat won three of the four quarters on Saturday at the Palais des Sports in a 78-68 win over Cascade Bullets.
Needing a 12-point difference win to avoid the play-offs, the Heat, coached by Valli Ismaël, got 23 points from Marlon Marimba, while big men Tony ‘General’ Barbé (18 points) and Alain Cupidon (11) made significant contributions on the offensive board.
Both the Heat and the Bullets are locked on 19 points after three wins and 13 defeats.
Coach Grégoire Scholastique’s Bullets have the edge over the Heat as they won the first-round match-up 92-80.

G. G. from nation.sc

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

Uganda could be banned from international competitions for at least two years and fined not less than $3,000 (about Shs4.9m) unless the national girls’ team participates in the U-18 Africa Championship that gets underway on Friday in Tunisia.

The team that qualified after edging bitter rivals Kenya last month, is meant to travel on Wednesday but the cash-strapped Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) is yet to secure air tickets from government.
“I am very worried. All our efforts to revive the game could be frustrated if the team doesn’t travel. I just hope the sports ministry does something between now and Tuesday,” Fuba president Ambrose Tashobya (above) told Daily Monitor yesterday.
“If the ministry has no money, the only option would be approaching an airline company to give us air tickets and they pay at a later date,” Tashobya said. “As a federation, we are ready to look around and meet players and officials’ allowances.”

If the team doesn’t travel, Warriors, Falcons, KCC Leopards and A-1 Challenge, will be barred from the Africa Zone 5 Club Championships due next month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Already, Fuba owes the international body-Fiba over $2,000 (Shs3.3m) in affiliation fee arrears. Fuba intends to take a contingent of 18 people but Tashobya revealed they would reduce the number depending on the availability of funds.

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

A1 Challenge will be looking to stretch their unbeaten record to 13 straight wins in today's MTN-FUBA ladies basketball league game against Makerere Sparks at Namboole.
Elsewhere, UCU Canons will be in action against Nabisunsa and confident of securing their 12th win of the campaign although they have also lost four times.
In the men's top division, Mogas Falcons should race to victory over rivals KCC Lions.
But there is little doubt A1's stellar record makes their encounter against the Sparks more note worthy.
Last year's finalists have had it easy this season-barring the two scares against Canons and KCC Leopards - and unfortunately for their rivals, the Sparks are not exactly the best candidates to change that.

A non-profit making organisation, Kossengwe has trained over 50 youths in basketball in a one week camping that took place at the Presidential Guard Sports Complex, Yaounde. The youths came from Nigeria, Chad, Gabon and Cameroon. The youths were schooled on leadership skills and the dangers of contracting the HIV/IIDS.

The Washington-based organisation, through the Yaounde workshop sought to transmit important messages that could positively affect youths around the world through these selected teenagers.

The workshop participants were students who have distinguished themselves in their various schools in both academics and in basketball. According to the organisers of the workshop, the guidance would ignite a spirit of leadership in the youths. After training them, the organisers believed, the youths would disseminate the lessons to their brothers and sisters in their respective villages.

The exercise, organisers said, was an opportunity for the participants to gain scholarships to study in the USA. The organisation, they said, has sponsored 30 youths who have studied in the United States.

Commenting on the choice of the venue of the camping, Joe Touomou, the founder and promoter of Kossengwe who is also the coach of the National Basketball Association, NBA, said the Presidential Guard Sporting Complex was chosen so as to ensure that the youngsters involved in the exercise and the entire team of Kossengwe is secured. He added that the complex offers good play grounds.

Kossengwe is working in partnership with Hope4Africa, another organisation with similar objectives. Its assistant organiser, Sookie Som, said her organisation has embarked on the sharing of knowledge to youths so they could take it to remote areas and promote wide awareness on the strengths of leadership and the vices of HIV/AIDS.

Sookie revealed that it is the first time they are organising the camping to train youths in Africa and Cameroon in particular.Kossengwe, it should be noted, was born some five years ago and the idea came from a group of basketball players at Essos, Yaounde under the leadership of Joe Touomou.

HIS year’s Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup will dribble off on Monday October 13 after the draw made earlier this month was released by the National Basketball Technical Committee.


There won’t be a repeat of last year’s men’s final between PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras as the two big guns could meet as early as the quarterfinals this time.
Drawn in the top half, defending champions PLS Hawks will start the defence of their title on Tuesday October 21.

In the event of a second round-win against either one of the three second division teams – AAP Brothers, Mont Fleuri Dawgz and Pointe Larue Falcons – the Hawks will progress to the quarterfinals against former winners Premium Cobras.

HotShots are aiming to achieve a hat-trick of SBF Cup wins
In last year’s best-of-three final, coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks scorched Premium Cobras 80-61 in game three to complete a League and Cup double for a third time in seven years. The first two triumphs were in 2001 and 2005 under the leadership of former coach Clifford Joubert.
Premium Cobras won game one 72-68 but were pounded 102-64 in game two.
The other top flight teams in the same half of the draw are Cascade Bullets and Razors.
Men’s Division One title contenders Baya are favourites to make the final from the bottom half of the draw, but coach Michel Malbrook’s team’s first match is against either Cadets or Juniors.
The 10 bottom division teams play against each other in the first round of the competition and four of them will make it to the second round.

In the women’s competition, reigning champions HotShots and last year’s losing finalists Anse Etoile Stars have been drawn apart. There is a big chance that they will meet again in the best-of-three final.
On paper, Hotshots should have no problem making the final as they have Cadettes and Juniors to take care of in their first two games. Coached by Philip Arrisol, HotShots’ target is to achieve a hat-trick of SBF Cup wins.
Winners for the first time in 2006, HotShots took the shine off the Stars – sweeping the 2007 best-of-three final series by edging coach Michel Malbrook’s team 51-49 in game one before winning game two on a 71-44 score.
During the second quarter of game two, HotShots did what probably no other local or foreign team had done before against the Stars – keeping them at bay for one whole quarter and forcing them to fire blanks while scoring 23 points of their own.
As for the Stars, who play in the bottom half of the draw, they will have to eliminate RA Sisters in their first match before clashing with the much-improved Mont Fleuri in the semifinals.
The dates of the three finals are November 2, 8 and 9. In the event of one team winning the first two matches, there won’t be a need for a third match.
Meanwhile, HotShots and Anse Etoile Stars are to meet this afternoon (at 2pm at the Palais des Sports) in a crucial league match which could well decide the 2008 Women’s League champions.
Unbeaten in nine games, HotShots only need to win to crowned champions, while the Stars have to get at least a 12-point difference victory to harbour the hope retaining their crown.

G. G.

by Sande Bashaija
Namboole

TODAY
St. Michael v Sharing
Heaters v MBC Rocks
Canons v Nabisunsa
Bugema v Planets
Sparks v A-1
Falcons v Lions

A-1 Challenge will be aiming to maintain their clean sheet when they take on Makerere Sparks in one of the six MTN-Fuba League encounters at Namboole today.

The 2005 women champions have recorded 13 consecutive victories and remain on course to finish the regular season unbeaten.
Following their 105-33 win over Amazon Rhino in their last encounter, A-1 Challenge look clear favourites to bag maximum points today but face a desperate Sparks side seeking redemption.

Sparks, who won the 2003 championship in their debut season, were on Wednesday drubbed 78-46 by KCC Leopards and their chances of making the play-offs are now hanging on a loose thread.
Whereas victory for A-1 Challenge could ensure they finish in the top four irrespective of results in the remaining six games, a loss for Sparks will end their dream of making the post season.
After losing to Sadolin Power on September 16, Mogas Falcons have a chance of returning to winning ways against lowly but unpredictable KCC Lions. The Mayor’s team recorded a memorable 50-46 victory over two-time former champions Nkumba Marines a fortnight ago but lost to Gulu Hawks last weekend.
To survive relegation, KCC Lions need at least three more victories after fellow possible relegation candidates Miracle Eagles edged Marines 81-80 on Wednesday.
In-form Uganda Christian University (UCU) Lady Canons face battle-hardened Nabisunsa in another intriguing women’s fixture.

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Kenya Ports Authority men and women's basketball teams emerged victorious in their Premier League return leg matches at the Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

The dockwomen, who are the defending champions were first on the floor where they emerged with 63-20 thrashing of winless University of Nairobi's Dynamites
The men followed suit, running riot with a huge 105-83 rout of Kenyatta University Pirates.

In the men's Division One tie, Tony Abondo hit 15 points while Ben Oluoch and Franklin Ochieng each 12 as Posta maintained their unbeaten record with a 89-50 victory over Mennonites.

Pirates, who are officially out of the play-offs running, got off to a good start with Griffins Ligare, Philip Dinga and James Omune scoring three-pointers at will. After Pirates raced 27-25 first quarter lead, the dockmen immediately changed their game plan to counter attack them.
Hannington Sitati, Dinga and Ligare of Pirates continued to give KPA headache as their hard work saw the students keep a 29-26 first quarter advantage. The Pirates led 50-48 at half-time.
On resumption, Pirates still had a 71-69 edge as KPA started chasing the ball all over the court.
Veterans Francis Odari, Dan Okwiri and Patrick Kirui took the match by th scruff of the neck to take KPA up 93-76. The fate of Pirates was sealed in the last quarter in which Odari and Okwiri crossed a century mark at 102-77.
Kirui scored 16 points, Musa Odari hit 15, John Apollo connected 14 and Francis Odari 11 for KPA. Ligare scored 28 and Dinga 17 for Pirates.
Velma Juma provided game-high 13 points as champions KPA dislodged Sprite Storms from the second spot following their 63-20 win over Dynamites.

Double figures

KPA increased their points tally from 16 to 18. They have won eight matches and two loses. After going up easily 21-4 in the opening quarter, the portswomen led 32-9 at half-time. None of the Dynamites players scored in double figures.
Posta keep their unbeaten record intact in 14 matches when they walloped Mennonites 89-50. Posta, who head the table standings with 28 points from 14 consecutive wins, led 48-19 at half-time.
Lawrence Ndegwa of Mennonites scored six three-pointers emerging the top scorer with 18 points while Steve Mc'odongo managed 11.

By Charles Mutebi


MTN-FUBA League
Saturday
Crane High v Canons
Women
Amazon v Crane High
Victoria v Cubs
Sunday
Falcons v Lions
Women
Sparks v A1
Canons v Nabisunsa

AFTER going three weeks without play, the Mogas Falcons could not have asked for a better opponent than the KCC Lions to welcome them back to the MTN-FUBA league race.
The defending champions have not been in action since their 59-55 win over KIU on September 4, mainly because their match with the Gulu Hawks last week was postponed.
The Falcons might therefore consider their return against one of the league’s more beatable sides to be a blessing, as it might ensure greater insurance against any potential rust within their ranks.
The Lions are coming off their best run of the entire campaign after recording two straight victories against the Nkumba Marines and Crane High before it was ended by the Hawks last week.
Against the Falcons, it is highly unlikely the top-flight debutantes will get their third win in four matches. And given the fact they are sixth on the table, the Falcons cannot even contemplate being generous to the Lions.

COACHLESS Razors’ days as a top-flight team are numbered after they succumbed to their 15th defeat of the season on Wednesday at Victoria Gymnasium.

Solomon carried Premium Cobras’ scoring load with 45 pointsTitle contenders Premium Cobras added to the Razors’ woes by hitting the century mark in a 124-42 victory to go joint top with Baya in the 10-team Men’s Division One standings.
No match for the Cobras, the Razors are glued to the bottom of the table with one win and 15 defeats for 16 points – 14 fewer than Premium Cobras’ total of 30. The Razors have also lost a match by a walkover.
Coached by Guy Hall, former champions Premium Cobras, who fielded their three foreign players during the encounter, won all four quarters, 34-5, 33-14, 25-11 and 32-12.
As expected, Nigerian Alao Solomon carried the scoring load for the Cobras with 45 points and he was helped on the offensive end by Seychelles power forward Dominic Pillay (14 points) and Amadou Sylla (11).

Christopher Valmont and J. Tirant each got 12 points to lead the Razors.

In Monday’s Men’s Division Two match, Anse Etoile walked over AAP Brothers, who refused to play after losing their appeal against the National Basketball Technical Committee decision to impose a fine on them for leaving the court in their match against Mont Fleuri Dawgz and the one-match ban imposed on the André brothers – Steve and Steven.

With the win – their 14th in 18 games – Anse Etoile have brought their points tally to 32, while AAP Brothers have 29.

Drifters collected only their third win of the season when they beat Cadets 84-73 in another men’s lower division match played on Tuesday.


G. G.

By Renatha Msungu

Three more regions have confirmed to compete in the National Basketball League (NBL) which will be staged at Dar es Salaam`s Indoor Stadium from October 19-25.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Secretary-General, Lawrence Cheyo, yesterday named them as Lindi, Morogoro and Coast.
He said the turning up of the three had made the number of the regions reach 17.
Cheyo named other regions which had confirmed earlier as hosts Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mbeya, Mwanza, Iringa, Mara, Dodoma, Tanga, Kigoma, Ruvuma, Kagera, Shinyanga, Rukwa and Kilimanjaro.
He appealed to regions which were yet to confirm to do so immediately.
He said that preparations of the event were in the final stages as they had already got a sponsor.
``We have already got a sponsor. We will soon name him to the public,`` he added.
The event was last year sponsored by Barrick and Tanzania Breweries Limited.

by Sande Bashaija

Kampala International University (KIU) became only the second team to defeat men's topflight table leaders Warriors this season, outclassing the Kyambogo side 59-46 in an MTN-Fuba League clash on Wednesday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium. Warriors had last lost in their season-opening encounter against Miracle way back in April and looked on course to complete the second round unbeaten.
But having suffered two second round defeats to Falcons and Sadolin Power, KIU totally outplayed Warriors and revived their hopes of making a maiden appearance in the play-offs.
With a perfect first quarter 17-9 lead, KIU frustrated Warriors in the following session 11-5 and sealed off the game 18-14 in the third.
A fourth quarter 18-13 Warriors rally made no impact.
The towering Michael Karuiki collected a game high 19 points and helped lock out Warriors' Stephen Okias (9 points) and Joshua Etalu (5) while Markmot Orom added 13 for the Kansaga-based university team.
Mande Juruni (14) and Henry Mwinuki (7) orchestrated KIU's victory, outplaying Warriors' star guards Ronnie Kasewu and Jude Ochen. Only Nelson Wafula recorded double figures for Warriors with 13 points.

Two-time champions Nkumba Marines suffered a heartbreaking 80-81 loss to the unpredictable Miracle Eagles. So painful was the loss that a crestfallen Boniface Okello had to be supported off the court at the end of the game. Marines, who are now out of the play-offs, had recovered from a ten-point first quarter deficit to go into the last three minutes leading by six points.

But Miracle's Moses Wasswa (18 points) and Isaac Bwire (20) led a tenacious comeback that saw Marines' Julius Lutwama (19) miss a free throw with a few seconds left that would have given the Nkumba side victory. "It's very heartbreaking. I feel tired of playing basketball," former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Okello stated.

by Edwin Musoni
Kigali

Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) basketball team last Sunday went beyond just playing and launched its very own youth social campaign that aims at giving children and youth hope to play.

The launch took place at SOS Children's Village. During the launch, children residing at the village socialized with CSK members and played basketball with them.
According to the team President, Augustin Mukama, the purpose of the campaign is mainly to enable senior professional basketball players and children to socialize.
He also said that part of the campaign is to have players train children in basketball and also use the opportunity to teach children civic education and awareness in prevention of HIV/Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases.
"This kind of campaign makes children get back hope that they have the right to play; beside that, this campaign also helps in identifying talents in children, and also prepares them mentally so that they effectively learn civic education," said Mukama. He added that CSK will carry out the campaign in several schools and child-headed homes across the country.
The launch was characterized by an exhibition match between SOS youth basketball team and CSK followed by donating of playing kit to the former by CSK management.
After the game, Mukama encouraged children to maintain discipline and work harder in class and also guard themselves against HIV/Aids.
The formula of the campaign will be; one senior player training about four or five children twice a week and then educating them on civic education and prevention of HIV/Aids.
The Director of the SOS Village, Louis Ntabana, lauded the activity and assured CSK that the end results of their campaign would be positive.

Reigning national champions KCB Lions made it 15 wins out of 15 matches when they halted Kenyatta University "Pirates" three game premier league run with a 88-64 drubbing at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.

Lions enjoying best ever run,raced to a 5-0 run but two three pointers by Griffin Ligare and James Omune cut the bankers lead to 26-31 in the second quarter. Lions went to the break with a slim 39-30 advantage.

KCB's superiority showed in the third quarter on efforts by Yoni Wanambiro and Voctor Odendo. Wanambiro made it 45-30 and Odendo hit another jumper for a 56-34 edge as KU went on a long draught without finding the target.

With 1:00 minute to the end of the quarter, the lively Odendo swished another three for 63-34 and Wanambiro made it a 30 points cushion when he hit a another perimeter shot with 0:25 seconds left to play.

A baseline jumper by Juma Ikapian opened the flood gates in the fourth and soon KCB enjopyed a 35 point difference making it a blowout. Lions balanced attack was led by Tobias Onyango who had 18 points.

Odendo 17, Ikapian 15 and Wanambiro 14. For the students, Phil Dinga scored 16 while Ligare and Omune managed 14.

KU had the previous day avenged their controversial fisrt leg premier league loss to Strathmore University when they crushed them 75-56.


Phil Dinga hit the game opener for KU but the Baldes replied through Josh Oswana who made two early three pointers as Strathmore took a brief lead. KU's Greg Were andD inga then ensured the winners went to the break with a 27-23 advantage.

After resumption, KU build on that slim lead gradually shooting to a comfortable cushion. Griffin Ligare, the dimunitive KU point guard caused havoc running plays with greatest precission while hitting clutch baskets to the delight of his veteran tactican Gitau Waringo.

Ligare popped in game high 29 points while Dinga added another 11 for KU who have now won three straight games since coming back from a month's recess. For the distarught Strathmore side, Paul Nyakinda managed 11 while Ken Murema hit 12.

In another battle of the varsity sides, University of Nairobi "Dynamites" winless run continued when they were hit 64-36 by United States International University (USIU). The Flames were led by national team players Samba Mjomba and Hilda Luvandwa.

Mjomba scored 17 points while Luvandwa nailed 14 for USIU who shot also nine three pointers in an effort led by Linda Sirma who bagged three. UoN had 11 points from Eleanor Musundi.

Women leaders Eagle Wings led 40-12 at the break and went on to crush Yana 66-26 behind 18 points from Eunice Ouma and another 14 from national team vice captain Caroline "Majeng" Achieng. Yana, with only a win to their credit, had 10 from the hard working Rachel Makena.

USIU made it two wins in a week, when they recovered to hit Strathmore University 60-42. Samba Mjomba nailed 18 points, Hilda Luvandwa provided 17 while Evlyne Nora bagged 11 for the victors. Linet Mukiri was the only shining light for Swords as she regsitered her teams 11 points.

In Mombasa, defending women champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) thumped Sprite Storms 52-25 in a one sided encounter at the Makanda Welfare Hall. Yvonne Akinyi led KPA charge with 13 points while Irene Makori scored the visitors eight. It was redemption for KPA, who were stunned in Nairobi 49-47 a few weeks ago.

by Dann OWERE fiba.com

MTN-FUBA LEAGUE
Weekend results
Men
Marines 70 Hawks 59
Hawks 65 Lions 51
Miracle 61 Crane 57
Women
Sparks 62 Crane 23
Bucks 37 Rhino 34
Canons 80 Lakers 42
Rangers 60 Crane 20

By Charles Mutebi

BONIFACE Okello tied for a game-high 25 points with the Gulu Hawks' Moses Ochan but ultimately claimed victory as the Nkumba Marines won 70-59 at Namboole last weekend.

The Hawks humiliated the Marines 97-73 in the first round, but this time round Okello helped the Marines claim redemption with his team’s key individual performance. He was supported by Carol Bisereko and Datson Ngati who chipped in with 14 and 10 points respectively.

The win took the Entebbe-based university team to 19 points and helped them displace the Mogas Falcons from fifth place although the defending champions have two games in hand.
The loss was not catastrophic for the Hawks who went into the fixture last on the table. They defeated the KCC Lions 65-51 in their following match to take their points tally to 15 and climb to eighth place. Also the Miracle Eagles soared over Crane High to win the other men’s top flight match 61-57.

In the women’s league, there were victories for the Makerere Sparks, Lady Bucks and Kampala International University Rangers. But it was the Lady Canons 80-42 demolition of the Victoria Lakers that served as another reminder of that team’s title credentials.

ARE Baya championship material? The question will be answered this coming Saturday at the Palais des Sports when they meet PLS Hawks in their second-round match-up.
Baya’s ‘JP’ (dribbling) has been on fire lately but the real test will come against Bernard Bristol’s PLS Hawks this coming Saturday
In a purple patch since the end of the first round, Baya brushed aside MBU Rockers’ challenge on Sunday, prompting many to believe that 2008 could be their year.
Also this weekend in the Men’s Division One league, PLS Hawks and Premium Cobras collected victories to keep pace with the leaders. In the Men’s Division Two, Mont Fleuri Dawgz moved a step closer to winning the title, while HotShots extended their winning run to eight games in the Women’s League.

Baya 92 … MBU Rockers 62

The Rockers had surprised Baya in the first-round match-up, winning 83-75. But coach Michel Malbrook’s Baya had just one thing on their agenda on Sunday: a win in the return match. And they showed championship credentials with a 30-point difference win.
Baya came out looking for the win early as Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille fired on all cylinders, getting 16 of his game-high 36 points in the first quarter which they won 30-14.
In fact, coach Michel Malbrook’s Baya won all four quarters in an intense match played in a rather friendly atmosphere.
Despite the 30-point defeat, the Rockers never dropped their guard as they added their fair share to the excitement on the court. Playmaker Nigel Sinon used his dribbling skills to penetrate the Baya defence and score 23 points, while Robert Francis came off the bench to score eight points during his team’s 13-5 third-quarter run. As for swingman Cyril Agrippine, he played his first match since breaking his nose in his team’s first-round win against Beau Vallon Heat. Agrippine was caught by an elbow right in the nose and needed surgery to repair the damage. He wore a yellow face mask at the start of Sunday’s game, but pulled it off at the end of the first quarter.
Captain-of-the-day Robert Léon scored 24 points for Baya, who also got 16 points from playmaker Giovanni Laval.
Baya have 30 points after 14 wins and two defeats and their supporters will know if they are championship material when they play defending champions PLS Hawks this coming Saturday at the Palais des Sports. A win for Baya will put them on the road to a first Men’s Division One league title.

RC Dynamics 56 … PLS Hawks 79

With Ugandan all-rounder Stephen Omony rested, Seychelles centre Rodney Lozé carried the scoring load for PLS Hawks with 24 points in a 79-56 win against RC Dynamics.
Bernard Bristol was the second best scorer with 11 points for the Hawks, who have been invited to compete in the 23rd Africa Champions Cup in Tunisia from December 12-21.
With a match in hand on Baya, the Hawks have 29 points after 14 wins and a loss, and this coming weekend’s match-up between the two is crucial for the defending champions who have to win and then beat Premium Cobras by a four-point difference to retain the title.
In the absence of centre Emmanuel Larue, Jean-Paul Desaubin came off the bench to score 21 points for RC Dynamics, who have 22 points following seven victories and eight defeats.

Beau Vallon Heat 43 … Premium Cobras 97

Nigerian Alao Solomon again had the hot hands for Premium Cobras with 43 points, including four 3-pointers, and he got help from power forward Dominic Pillay, who netted 28 in the 97-43 defeat of Beau Vallon Heat.
The win was Premium Cobras’ 13 in 15 games and they have 28 points, while the Heat, who got 14 points from M. Marimba, boast 17 points after two wins and 13 defeats.

Praslin Warriors 97 … Razors 66

Skipper Jackson Auguste led all scores with 32 points as home team Praslin Warriors collected their third win on the trot, their latest victims being tailenders Razors. The final score was 97-66 (55-27 at half-time).
Christopher Valmont top scored with 20 points for the Razors, who have 15 points. Praslin Warriors are on 22 points after six wins and 10 losses.

Pointe Larue Falcons 59 … Mont Fleuri Dawgz 81

The Falcons looked like upsetting the Dawgz as they won the first quarter 20-11 but they failed to maintain the momentum with Kevin Sinon in foul trouble early.
The Dawgz outscored their opponents 26-15, 24-11 and 20-13 in the remaining three quarters for an 81-59 win, bringing their points tally to 33 in 17 games played (16 wins and one loss).
With 20 points including four treys, Christopher Dugasse led the Dawgz in scoring, while skipper Reggie Ah-kong (15 points), Jim Créa (12) and Stefan Romain (10) were the team’s three other players in double figures.
The Falcons were led in scoring by Sam Gabriel with 20 points which went to waste in the team’s third defeat in 14 games.
The Dawgz have three matches left to play before they are sure of being crowned 2008 Men’s Division Two champions to play top flight basketball next year.

HotShots 70 … Mont Fleuri 58

A 70-58 win over Mont Fleuri gave HotShots their eighth consecutive win as they stay top of the six-team Women’s League standings with a maximum 18 points.
Anse Boileau-based HotShots will know if they could be crowned champions this year when they play defending champs Anse Etoile Stars this coming Saturday.
HotShots have the advantage over the Stars after they took care of their opponents with an 11-point margin victory (57-46) in the first round.
The Stars need to win by a difference of at least 12 points to have a hope of retaining their title.
from nation.sc

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Table leaders APR proved they are still untouchable after a comprehensive 92-65 away win over reigning champions Marine.
The indomitable lions who traveled to Gisenyi with an under-strength side endured nervous moments after having two of their players; Jose-Edward Elongie and Issa Ngoga fouled out.
As the score sheets indicate, it was an all-round team effort display for APR as Mike Buzangu (24), Kami Kabange (21) and Issa Ngoga (20) all chipped in with valuable scores.

It was APR's twelveth win on the trot and with two ties (Rusizi and Basketball United Generation) left in the regular season; the 2006 champions are close to rewriting history.
"We prepared well for the game and it is not shocking that we won," APR 's Cliff Owuor said.

by Sande Bashaija
Namboole

RESULTS
KCC Lions 51-65 Hawks
Livingstone 64-49 Sharing
Bushcourt 65-59 MBC Rocks
Marines 70-59 Gulu Hawks
Amazon 34-37 Lady Bucks

Nkumba University Marines recorded their first win in three second round outings, beating Gulu Hawks 70-59 at Namboole on Saturday. Following two straight losses to Kyambogo Warriors and lowly Kampala City Council (KCC) Lions, Marines needed a morale-boosting victory and they got everything right.

It was Gulu Hawks’ first game of first round after their date with defending champions Falcons was called off due to the ongoing financial crisis at the basketball governing body-Fuba, and the long break seemed to take a toll on the upcountry team’s performance.

Marines took control at the start, finishing the first quarter leading 22-13 and went into recess leading 40-27. Hawks, who are now confident of finishing the regular season in a comfortable mid-table position, showed resilience but still fell short in the third quarter 13-15 and their 19-15 victory in the last session only reduced the big gap.

Former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Boniface Okello got back his scoring touch, garnering a team high 25 points while Carrol Bisereko added 14 for the Nkumba side.

Moses Ochan got 25 and Denis Akena 14 points for Gulu Hawks. In the men’s Second Division, Abel Emwodu recorded 15 points, leading Livingstone to a convincing 64-49 victory over Sharing Youth. Kyambogo Warriors are setting the pace with their unbeaten start to the season.

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

Cliff Owuor knows that his 100% record in the National basketball League is under threat today as his indomitable lions wander in Marine's backyard.
The reigning champions have been second best to APR and know that this is their chance to hit back at the 2006 champions who are gunning for their twelveth win on the trot. Both clubs have assembled strong sides in what is expected to be a gripping contest.
APR had the better of Marine in the first round after a comprehensive 74-54 win. In the other day's clashes, Rusizi are also expected to host Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) while United Basketball Generation (BUG) is away to National University of Rwanda.

Tomorrow, Marine host Espoir while BUG travels to Rusizi.

In the ladies' league, Group c leaders ISAE have two games on cards. They host St. Vincent Muhoza today and Rubavu tomorrow.

by Philip Onyango
Nairobi

Kenya Ports Authority thrashed Storms 52-25 in a national basketball league return match in Mombasa on Sunday.
With the win, the dockers, who lost to a Brenda Odula three pointer at the buzzer in the first leg in Nairobi got their own back.
They showed little mercy to the Storms who played without purpose particularly in the second and third quarter.
Agnes Anyango scored the first points for KPA which was quickly cancelled by Linda Alando's perimeter shot in this balanced first quarter which KPA won 17-12.

Pale shadow

But Storms, who had among others national team captain Angela Luchivya, Brenda Odula, Sylvia Njeri, Linda Anyango and Yvonne Mashedi in their ranks, were a pale shadow of themselves in the second quarter which KPA dominated winning 10-3, to take a comfortable 27-15 half time lead.

Irene Makori and Joyce Nyagol who were outstanding, rallied Storms to a 10-6 score in the third quarter but the game was almost sealed in the last quarter, which saw KPA's Caroline Arato (13) come from a slumber to steer her team to a comfortable win.

Yvonne Akinyi had eight points for KPA. Nyagol scored 12 for Storms in this only match of the day.
The win now pushes KPA to the second spot in the national classic league ahead of Storms with Eagles Wings who have virtually won the preliminaries remaining at the top
At the same time, the national junior girls basketball team will now be able to play in the Africa championships in Tunisia after a Government pledge to support the team. The girls will leave the country on October 1 for Tunis.
KBF treasurer Peter Orero said in a statement on Sunday that the Government through the ministry of youth and sports has pledged to buy air tickets for the championships which will bring together other top basketball playing countries in Africa.

Confirmed support

"We are very grateful to the government for accepting to fund the teams and promise that the girls will do the country proud by booking one of the two tickets available for the World championships in Bangkok Thailand next year", Orero said.
"The government gave us Sh1milllion to take the junior teams to Kampala for the qualification and have already confirmed their support for the girls teams to Tunisia which is quite encouraging for the development of the sports locally", Orero said.
According to Orero, the Government through Youth and Sports PS Murugu have promised to support in the KBF during the Africa Club championships which will be played in Nairobi between November 20-29.
He added that the Government has promised to look into the case of the boys who are set to participate in the junior championships in Cairo Egypt later next month.

by Sande Bashaija

TODAY
Sharing v Livingstone
KCC Lions v Hawks
Lakers v UCU
Rhino v Youth Heaters
Crane High v KIU Rangers 4pm
Crane High v Miracle 5:30pm

They are as good as relegated but Crane High School can stir the MTN-Fuba League table by defeating equally relegation-threatened Miracle Eagles at Namboole Stadium this evening.

The high school side has not recorded victory in three second round outings but a fixture against out-of-sorts Miracle gives them a chance to play with confidence and maybe snatch maxim points.
Crane High had hoped to build on two wins they recorded in first round and survive the drop ahead of Kampala City Council Lions and probably Miracle.

But the resignation of coach Justus Mugisha put paid to all their hopes, yet their other relegation candidates KCC Lions have amassed three consecutive wins despite finishing first round at the bottom of the ten-team table with only nine points.
Nelson Onyuta has taken over the reigns at Crane High and his experience will be vital if the Kitintale-based side is to leave Namboole with maximum points.
Despite welcoming back Robert Mubiru and Moses Wasswa, Miracle have struggled, losing their last three consecutive games. Kyambogo Warriors lead the league.
With no favourite on paper, the game is expected to be very fiercely contested. Gulu Hawks, who ended first round on a high, face KCC Lions in the other men’s topflight encouter, trying to break through the top five.

Kampala International University (KIU) Rangers will be hoping to save their crumbling season with a dour encounter against Crane High in the women’s category. over Makerere Sparks and could give KCC Leopards a tough ride. Besides, they were the only team to defeat the Mayor’s ladies last season.

The Libyan Basketball federation anounced that the super cup game between Al Ittihad the league champions and Al Shabab the Cup champions is to be played on 12th of October.
Also the 2008\2009 Basketball season will start on the 17th of October.
This season features two Divisions ,the first Division consists of 8 teams those who finished in the top eight spots last season ,the second division consists from 5 teams including a new club that will enter this year's competition.

First Division :
Al Ittihad
Al Ahli Tripoli
Al Shabab
Al Nasr
Ahli Benghazi
Al Madina
Al Hilal
Morog

Second Division :
Al Jazeera
Al Yarmook
Al Tahaddi
Al Wahda
Al Amn Al'am

from africabasket.com

Today, Namboole
Men
Marines v Hawks
Tomorrow
Lions v Hawks
Miracle v Crane high
Women
Today
Sparks v Crane High
Rhino v Bucks
Tomorrow
Lakers v Canons
Rangers v Crane High

THE Nkumba Marines will go into today’s MTN-FUBA men’s first division league match against Gulu Hawks looking to, not only capture their second successive victory of the second round but exact some measure of revenge.
When the two sides met in Gulu two months ago, Hawks made the most of their home advantage to stun the Marines 97-73.

The two-time champions have had a bad time this season and their loss against another newly promoted side in KCC Lions two weeks ago was just another reminder.
But the Marines will be looking to save pride from a campaign guaranteed to see them end in the regular season.
After 12 games, Marines have collected 17 points, five ahead of Hawks who, nonetheless, have three games in hand.
A win for Marines will see them overtake, at least temporarily, the Mogas Falcons into fifth place while the opposite result will catapult Hawks off the foot of the table into sixth place.
The Hawks will be back in action on Sunday against the KCC Lions while Miracle will complete the men’s first division action against Crane high.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the UCU Ladies should comfortably see off the Victoria Lakers to extend what has been a very impressive season, one that has already brought 10 wins and just four losses.

Anse Boileau-based HotShots are unbeaten in eight games and they will be looking for their ninth consecutive victory, while Mont Fleuri are hoping to avoid a third defeat which could jeopardise their league title chances.
Coached by Philip Arissol, HotShots boast 16 points, while Mont Fleuri have 14 after six wins and two losses.
Earlier this week, defending champions Anse Etoile Stars kept themselves in the race for the title with an 81-46 defeat of RA Sisters, who are fourth in the six-team standings with 12 points after three wins and six defeats.
The Stars of coach Michel Malbrook are on 13 points with six wins and one loss, which came against HotShots on a 46-57 score in the first round.
In another women’s match played on Tuesday, Cadettes collected only their second victory in nine games, beating tailenders Juniors 64-22.

Meanwhile, in a Men’s Division Two encounter on Wednesday, RA Herons thumped Cadets 85-42.

G. G.

On the 29th the Egyptian federation elections will be held to choose the new president and 5 board members,according to the new rules only 24 clubs will have the right to vote.however, Mr.Mahmoud Ahmed Aly the current president will face a very hard competition with the Egyptian basketball god father Dr.Adel Sabry.No one can expect who will sit on the chair as both of them has the same chanses to win the buttle.On the other hand the 5 board chairs seems booked for Mohamed Abd El Moteleb,Sherif El Sanadeely,Hany Abd EL monem,Hussien Morsy,Magdy Abo Ferekha, but surprises could bring any one to the board.

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Three top teams are poised to stretch their 2008 national basketball league leadership when they play key return leg matches at the Nairobi's Nyayo National Stadium this weekend.

On Sunday, men's Premier League leaders Kenya Commercial Bank Lions will confront Kenyatta University Pirates at 4pm. Eagle Wings, who are also at the top of the women's competition, will start as favourites against Yana at 12pm, while Posta, the men's Division One kings will lock horns with the Juja-based Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology from 10am.
All three clubs won their last weekend's matches at the same venue and are still geared to maintain their winning treak. Lions beat International Christian Centre 85-65, Eagle Wings rocked Flames of the USIU-A 66-46 while Posta kept their score sheet clean in 12 outings by beating Nairobi Pentecostal Church 83-65.

Experienced players

KCB Lions top the 10-team competition with 28 points after having won all their 14 matches.
Eagle Wings, on the other hand, head the women's championship with 19 points from eight wins and one loss (48-47) to Kenya Ports Authority in Mombasa.
Posts, a team comprising of experienced old guards, are first in the lower league with 24 points having won all their 12 matches.
Impressive Victor Odendo of Lions will only need support from Yoni Wanambiro and Tobias Onyago to claw Pirates. But Pirates, who hit hard Tigers 86-70 last weekend, will parade the no nonse Griffins.
Ligare and James Omune to shake the bankers' unbeaten record. Angella Okoth and Eunice Ouma will be out to ensure that Eagle Wings complete the pre-season on a winning note.

Coach Juma Kent of Wings is focused to finish top and qualify for the play-offs for the first time. Today, Pirates open their campaign to escape relegation against Strathmore University in a tie expected to go either way.

Host Sprite Storms

With only 11 points in their bag from four wins and three loses, Pirates are still worried of the relagation axe.
In the women's top tie winless Dynamites will take on Flames while World Hope will tackle Jomo Kenyatta University Of Agriculture and Technology.

After crushing 83-65 to Posta, Radhi Ndalu will lead NPC against visiting Nakuru

In Mombasa, KPA men and women's teams will host Sprite Storms and Java Warriors from Nairobi. Storms will be battling to garner the two points to keep the second spot on the table standings. Java Warriors have lost all their 11 matches and will need a miracle to beat KPA at their backyard.

The first round of the Luanda provincial men's basketball tournament will start on Friday, with highlight to the absences of 1º de Agosto, Petro de Luanda, national champions and runner up, and Atlético Sport Aviação (ASA), third placed.
According to the calendar, 1º de Agosto will rest, whilst the match between Petro de Luanda and ASA was postponed since the latter will travel on Friday to Portugal for a two-week training period.
Interclube is the only candidate to the title that will play in the first round when they receive Sporting de Luanda at home, at the "28 de Fevereiro" pavilion.

Cape Coast Hoops on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008 won against the Ghana Fire Service team 69-53. The game is in continuation of the Greater Accra Armature Basketball League which was played at Lebanon House, Tudu Accra. Highlights of the day saw two dunks from Saykan Bestman and a monster dunk from Michael DadsonThe game was a must win for Hoops who had earlier lost to the braves of CEPS and Yotive the week before. Hoops lost to Yotive 70-67 and on Sept. 10 lost to Braves of Ceps 101-63. The match against Ceps was a very physical one which saw two Hoops players sustaining cuts they receive from the CEPS players. With the victory against Fire, the team now has two wins and three defeats. Players in the team are confident of wining their remaining matches against Police, Wizards, Flames, and Warrior to make it for the playoffs. Presently some of the players on on camp in Cape Coast training for the match against Police this coming Saturday. Fans should expect nothing less than massive victories in the remaining matches.

WILL they compete or not? The question remains to be answered, but the PLS Hawks team are looking forward to making a first appearance in the Africa Champions Cup for men. The 23rd championship is slated for Tunisia from December 12-21.

PLS Hawks have been invited to represent zone 7 in the yearly championship after 2008 Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC) winners MBC Sebam Club of Madagascar declined.
The Hawks finished as runners-up to MBC Sebam Club after losing the final 54-77 to the Malagasies, who celebrated their third consecutive triumph in the IOCC.
Reached by phone, PLS Hawks’ Tony Juliette said the matter is now in the hands of the team’s management committee.
“We definitely want to compete. The players and coaching staff are looking forward to such an experience. But the final decision rests with the management committee. We only received the invitation on Monday (September 15) and we have to look for sponsors to make it possible to make the trip to Tunisia,” coach Juliette told Sports Nation.
“All those who would like to help us are welcome. It’s a big competition and such an exposure will be good for Seychelles’ basketball as a whole.”
PLS Hawks are being pressed to confirm if they will compete as Fiba Africa needs to finalise the number of teams and the schedule of competition.
If PLS Hawks compete in Tunisia, it will be the first time zone 7 is represented in the championship after it was decided in 2007 that this year’s IOCC champions will play in the Africa Champions Cup.

During the IOCC in Mauritius, PLS Hawks collected two victories, against Real SC of Mauritius (76-66) and Jeux d’Afrique of Mayotte (81-76), to finish at the top of group B.

In the cross knockout semifinal, coach Juliette’s team eliminated St Pierre of Reunion with a convincing 83-76 win.

Meanwhile, the 14th Africa Champions Cup for women will be played in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 20-29.


G. G.

by Sande Bashaija
Lugogo

RESULTS
Power 66-56 KIU
Canons 70-78 Warriors
Women
KIU Rangers 49-78 UCU
Cubs 63-58 Mak Cubs

Table leaders Kyambogo Warriors endured nervous moments but eventually saw off Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons 78-70 in a dramatic MTN-Fuba League game played Wednesday night at Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

After a quarter in command (16-15), Canons found themselves trailing 28-35 at halftime but launched a terrific rally that sent Warriors players and their fans into panic.
At the end of third quarter, Warriors had a 14-point advantage (58-44) but halfway into the last session, Canons had chopped the difference to only six points (58-64) following a three-pointer from Robert Mugabe.
The game became more dramatic with three minutes to play when Kenyan import Adams Njoroge (9 points) shot from outside the arc and Geoffrey Omondi got another field goal to make it 63-64.
But as the tide went a notch higher, Omondi fouled out followed by Eliud Eliezer, Njoroge and Mugabe, leaving a weakened Canons side that couldn’t stop Warriors from recording their 11th win out of 12. Though Warriors later lost Steven Okias (17), Richard Atuhairwe (17) and Joshua Etalu to foul trouble, they held on to complete a double over a side that was unbeaten in last year’s regular season. Canons, who had Ivan Enabu with a game high 21 points, have now lost 6 out of 13 encounters.

In the other men’s fixture, Ben Komakech scored 26 points as Sadolin Power moved to second place with a 66-56 over Kampala International University (KIU). Elsewhere, Flavia Oketcho had 12 points to her name but left with a warped upper lip in UCU women’s 78-49 pounding of KIU Rangers.

FIRST EDITION OF NATIONAL SEMIDETACHED CADETS AND JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE CITY OF LAMBARENE.
The competition was played at the tray of basketball of the High school Charles MEFANE '. It is the first time that the Federation Gabonese of Basketball (FEGABAB), organize such a competition in a city situated at the inside of Gabon. Honour comes back to cadet of ENGONG, club of northern city (Oyem) and the IZO, club junior BB of the city of Lambarn, in absence of clubs of Libreville; they have taken back these competitions.
Four provinces honoured their presence:
The province of the Woleu Ntem with (ENGONG: Cadets and Junior).
The province of the Middle Ogoou (IZO BB: Cadets and Junior)
The province of Ogoou - Lolo (OLAB: Junior),
The Province of Ogoou - Ivindo (Elenga: Cadets and Junior))
Tenors of the two bigger provinces (Estuary and the Maritime Ogoou) having withdrawn, the team of the province of the north, ENGONG BB, took back the national title; shes driven by Christian NDONG.
Of his history, the junior team of the province of the Moyen Ogoou, driven by H. Osman, took back the national title also for the first time.

from africabasket.com

The Under 16 national basketball team of Liberia has returned home from the just ended African Youth Basketball Championship in Benin where she represented Liberia.
During the tournament Liberia lost all matches played and was rated 3rd in a three countries competition. In the opening of the competition on August 27, Liberia narrowly fell to host Benin 51-56 points in a match that was full of excitement. Liberias Muna Kimber scored 21 points and was the highest scorer of the match. Liberia again went down to Nigeria in game two 90-43 points in a match the Nigerian dominated during the four quarters. The tournament which was played on a round robin basis saw Liberia going down to Benin 65-57 points.
Liberia Muna Kimber was the highest scorer in that match. She scored 31 points with 7 rebounds. Liberia again went down Nigeria 72-32 point.

by Pius Ayinor
Lagos

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has approached Premier League teams and state associations to host the 2008 play off games. The Secretary General of the Federation Mr. Francis Gbiri yesterday sent out letters to the clubs requesting any team interested in playing as host to indicate as such in writing to the NBBF.

The detail of the letter made available to THISDAYSport has November as the target period for the Final 8 play off and with the club willing to raise the sum N2.5m as that has been estimated as the cost of holding the event.
The regular season of the Premier League was played through without any corporate sponsorship and it appears there is no sponsor in sight for the Federation for now until at least the season is over.
And as part of the process towards concluding the current season, the NBBF's Technical Committee will be meeting on Saturday in Abuja with clubs, Secretaries of State Associations, amongst others in a bid to review the regular season and plan for the Final 8 play off. The meeting will also deliberate on the fixtures for the 2008/09 season amongst other issues.
Yesterday, the Federation also declared its decision to raise the number of teams in the Atlantic Conference to seven teams by formally writing teams and state associations in the southern region of the country to bid for the slot yet to be filled up. The letter signed by Gbiri advised interested candidates indicate interest in writing with deadline set at September 30th, 2008.
"You are advised to indicate your interest in writing and will pay the sum of N2.5m. You are expected meet up by the end this month (September)," The NBBF letter read in part.
The main thrust of opening up a bid for the seventh slot is to balance up both conferences to seven each. The Savannah Conference has seven teams while the Atlantic region has 6 with five of such based in Lagos. The imbalance, which has been in place since 2005 when the Nigeria Police team dropped out, has affected proper administration of the league, the Federation said.
In one of the delayed games of the regular season, Lagos Islanders defeated the Customs 90-86 in Lagos on Sunday.
The victory for Islanders achieved at the National Stadium, means that the Islanders have taken the fourth slot for Atlantic Conference going into the play off season.

by Sande Bashaija
Lugogo

KIU Rangers v UCU 5pm
Sadolin Power v KIU 6:30pm
UCU Canons v Warriors 8pm

Coach Nimrod Kaboha has two puzzles to solve when the MTN-Fuba League action resumes at Lugogo Indoor Stadium tonight. First, Kaboha has to lead the women’s team - KIU Rangers against Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono before his men take on dazzling Sadolin Power.
While the Rangers are struggling to come to terms with the loss of their influential players Hadijja Kizza and Barbara Namukaya, Kaboha has a pool of stars to choose from for the Power game.

The acquisition of Michael Karuiki, Mande Juruni and Moses Olobo, has given KIU hope of making their maiden appearance in the play-offs and the team’s results in the second round are promising. Table leaders Warriors have an equally tough fixture against UCU Canons.

by Philip Onyango
Nairobi

The Kenya Basketball Federation is appealing to sponsors to come forward and assist the junior boys and girls teams ahead of the Africa youth championships set for Tunisia and Cairo, next month.

KBF national chairman, Paul Otula, while making the appeal, said the local game was on the rise and needed such high profile tournaments to move to improve further.
He said the junior teams posted an impressive performance in the zone five championships in Kampala, Uganda and were determined to perform even better when they take on the rest of Africa.
The girls' team is scheduled to leave in a fortnight for Tunis for their championships which will take place between October 2-12, while the boys will be in Cairo for the junior men qualifier from October 16.
Otula said the two teams need a whooping Sh7 million to effectively participate in the two championships failure to which the federation will be forced to pay a huge fine or be locked out of international competitions.
"The players did their part by qualifying and it is now Kenyans to come forward and support them while they prepare to tackle top teams in Africa", he said.

Appreciate talent

Otula thanked Fiba Africa for accepting to meet 50 percent of the girl's team's accommodation expenses and pleaded with the individuals and corporate sponsors to come forward and emulate Fiba Africa.
"If an international federation can come forward and appreciate Kenya's talent by chipping in on the team's accommodation, I think it is important that Kenyans encourage them by contributing even more", he said.
The girls' team he said started residential training in Mombasa Tuesday ahead of the championships while the official training program for the boys' team will be released later.
He said Kenya has the potential to compete with any top teams in Africa and appealed to the Government, companies and well wishers to come to their support.
The draw for the two championships will be held in Cairo on September 27.

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

IT will be a repeat of last year's playoff final when the Mogas Falcons face leaders Kyambogo Warriors in an epic MTN-FUBA league game at Lugogo today.
In another mouthwatering encounter of the men's first division, Sadolin Power will take on KIU at the same venue.
But there is no doubt that it is the renewal of Warrior's rivalry with the Falcons that promises greater delight in the national basketball league.
The Falcons overturned a 2-0 deficit in last year's championship playoff finals to deny the Warriors their maiden title and thereby becoming their biggest rivals.
Inflicting any measure of pain on the defending champions would bring significant relish to the Warriors.
KIU take on a Power side buoyant after their convincing win over the UCU Canons last week.

Men
Power v KIU
Falcons v Warriors

Women
Rangers v Canons

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

APR's indomitable lions roared to their eleventh successive win in the national basketball league after a scintillating 114-40 win over Kigali Institute of Education on Sunday.
APR's point guard Mike Buzangu who has been in dreadful form lately orchestrated the win with a game high 39 points, five rebounds and six assists.
Winless in 10 games, KIE were never expected to trouble a pumped up APR side who had silenced last year's finalists CSK 74-59 on Saturday.

Last year's Zone five club championships' Most Valuable Player (MVP) Issa Ngoga who has had a quiet season after suffering a nasty injury on his knee was largely responsible for APR's plausible performance, getting 26 points to his name.
Buzangu also came in handy with 20 points. With 11 wins in as many games, Cliff Owuor's club remains clear favorites to emerge regular season champions. The weekend's spirited show also kept the ex-Kenyan international on course for his third league crown.
"I think we are playing good basketball lately. We are passing the ball beautifully and working as a unit," the Kenyan said.

With three games to wrap up the regular league, APR is in total command of proceedings with 33 points. The other three play-off slots are up for grabs amongst reigning champions Marine, CSK, Rusizi and 2004 champions Espoir.

National league
CSK 59-74 APR
APR 114-40 KIE
Marine 93-53 KIE
UNR 90-95 ESPOIR
MARINE 104-70 RUSIZI
CSK 76-42 UNR

by Sande Bashaija
Namboole

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) finds itself with a backlog of fixtures after rain disrupted the last game on Sunday between Miracle Eagles and KCC Lions.
MTN-Fuba League holders Mogas Falcons' visit to Gulu Hawks on Saturday was also cancelled following Fuba's failure to raise funds to facilitate officials.
The Miracle-KCC Lions encouter would have taken place only if it had been scheduled for Lugogo Indoor Stadium unlike the Namboole outdoor venue.

Sunday results
St. Michael 59-50 Stone
Heaters 46-59 Riders
UCU 56-19 Amazon
Today at Lugogo
Ndejje v Bugema 5pm
Mak Cubs v Nabisunsa 6:30pm
Riders v Charging Rhino 8pm

Tomorrow
KIU Rangers v UCU
Sadolin Power v KIU
UCU Canons v Warriors

IT was their first ever win against Premium Cobras at the Palais des Sports. And an important one it was indeed on an 83-72 score. In Saturday’s pulsating top-of-the-table clash, Baya upset Premium Cobras who fielded a star-studded team as they gave a debut to new recruit Adama Bamba of Ivory Coast.

Baya’s playmaker Laval (with ball) drives into the Premium Cobras defence

Baya looked out of sorts early in the game as Premium Cobras led 18-11 forcing coach Michel Malbrook to call for a time-out with 3 minutes 53 seconds (3:53) left to play in the first quarter. His team scored five more points, while their opponents netted six including a Nigerian Alao Solomon 3-pointer from way down-town to close the first quarter at 24-16.
Coach Guy Hall’s Premium Cobras used a 7-2 run to open an 11-point gap (31-20) with 2:30 elapsed in the second quarter, but Baya’s international playmaker Giovanni Laval, who had a fine game in organising his team’s play, twice equalised at 31-31 and 35-35 with treys.

Still Premium Cobras went for the breather in the lead at 37-36.

Although Dave Roseline and Hendrick Denis fouled out late in the third quarter and with Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille playing on four personal fouls, Baya made their intention clear in the third 10-minute spell.
On sharp shooter JP’s second consecutive 3-pointer with 2:20 gone in the third quarter, they led 42-41 and they stayed in front by scoring well from behind the arc, on the baseline, lay-ups and from the free-throw line.
At the end of 30 minutes of play, Baya led 61-59 and although Premium Cobras pulled level at 63-63 early in the fourth period they just could not get Baya under their thumb.

Baya, who won the last three quarters 20-13, 25-22 and 22-13, pulled away and with 4:27 left on the clock they were leading 71-65 on two JP free-throws. It took Premium Cobras three minutes to score again (81-67) with 1:27 remaining through Adama who got 10 points, but Baya had almost wrapped things up.
As they ran down the clock on the way to their second league win on an 83-72 score against Premium Cobras this season – the only team to have beaten the former champions in the Men’s Division One championship after their 71-59 first-round victory – Baya have sent the league race wide open.

Both Baya and Premium Cobras have two losses to their names, but the former have 28 points to lead the 10-team standings. While the Cobras are third on 26 points after 12 wins and two defeats, defending champions PLS Hawks are second on 27. They have won 13 and lost one, putting them in a good position to claim the title which is far from being decided.
With 23 individual points including four 3-pointers, Laval, who got valuable help in offence from Seychelles international sharp shooter JP with 28 points including five treys, and centre Robert Léon with 25, had this to say to Sports Nation after the match:
“It was a must-win situation for us. We had to do it to stay in the title hunt. We ran down the clock well and I feel we’re more mature as a team now. That’s good but we have to keep our heads on our shoulders. We have a tricky clash coming up against MBU Rockers and I hope all the players will be up to the task.”
Baya lost 75-83 to MBU Rockers in the first-round.
Premium Cobras were led in scoring by Solomon with 24 points.

Warriors stop Dynamics to extend win run

Praslin Warriors had four players – Joseph Souffe (22 points), Ronny Julienne (16), captain Jackson Auguste (13) and Edmond Félicie (11) – scoring in double figures as they brought their wining run to two games in a close 67-65 defeat of visitors RC Dynamics at the Grand Anse Praslin court on Saturday.
The win was the Warriors’ fifth in 15 games for 20 points, while RC Dynamics saw their three-win spell come to an end despite centre Emanuel Larue getting a game-leading 26 points. They are now on 21 points after seven wins and seven defeats.
Beau Vallon Heat scorched Razors 74-65 to add more pressure on the bottom team as Marlon Marimba scored a game-high 22 point for coach Valli Ismaël’s team.
The win was the Heat’s second in 14 games for 16 points, while the Razors are almost sure of making the drop to the bottom division at the end of the season. They have 14 points from one win and 13 defeats – one of those through walkover.

Dawgz win again

In a Men’s Division Two match, Mont Fleuri Dawgz, who played without Didier Valmont who has been hit with a three-match suspension for fighting, collected an important 74-64 win over rivals Anse Etoile.
After 15 wins in 16 games, the Dawgz have 31 points to lead the championship standings and they look good for promotion. As for Anse Etoile, the defeat was their fourth in 17 games for 30 points.

Meanwhile, HotShots have brought their winning run to eight games in the Women’s League as Juniors could not field a team.

RA Sisters got 26 points from Sylvia Sophie and 22 from veteran player/coach Lina Lestrange in a 82-29 defeat of Cadettes.
The Sisters have now brought their points tally to 11 after three wins and five losses, while Cadettes have just one victory in eight games for nine points.

G. G.

by Sande Bashaija

The financial status of the Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) is very worrying. So worrying that the federation failed to raise Shs400,000 to send officials to handle a league game involving men's champions Falcons and home side Gulu Hawks on Saturday.
"Our sponsors (MTN) are yet to give us money, so we are basically depending on gate collections to run the league," Fuba assistant general secretary Joseph Manano revealed to Daily Monitor yesterday. "The sponsors have promised to bail us out very soon and hopefully everything will be fine."
In the past, games in Gulu have been cancelled due to failure by visiting teams to make the trip but the Saturday incident is captivating. Falcons were very furious Fuba had not informed them on time about the development. "We had already boarded on our way to Gulu only to be told the game had been cancelled," Falcons senior player Walter Alenyo said..
Fuba had also promised to renovate and upgrade YMCA basketball court but nothing has been done on the surface due to the financial crisis. League games are now played at Namboole, a venue that is evidently biting on clubs' wallets because it is out of town.
Meanwhile in the games played Saturday, Makerere Cubs produced the biggest upset in the league, beating six-time champions Lady Bucks 51-32. Two-time men champions Marines were lucky to defeat Crane High 69-63.

by Caxton Apollo
Nairobi

Newcomers Blazers beat African Nazarene University 67-56 in their return leg tie to snatch the 2008 men's basketball Division One league leadership at the Nairobi's Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.

The victory saw Blazers dislodge the unbeaten Posta from the top spot with 24 points. The two teams had tied in first position on 22 points although Posta have remained unbeaten in 11 outings.
However, the lead was expected to be short lived since Posta was taking on Lomboritz on Sunday in a tie they were favourites to win.
Blazers, who joined the top competition from the Nairobi Basketball Association league, had little problems is sorting out the varsity students.
Blazers raced a 32-22 half-time lead. It was Glen Simwa who scored game-high 14 points for the winners with team-mate KenKeya adding 12.
Lomboritz enhanced their chances of making the four top teams for the play-offs when they defeated Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology 75-59.
Dennis Chutte was responsible for Lomboritz's victory as he sunk a record of 21 points. Peter Omondi managed 16 for the students.
The win saw Lomboritz occupy the second position on the nine-team table standings with 21 points. They have played 12 matches, won nine and lost three.

by Sande Bahaija
Lugogo

Results - FUBA League.
Miracle Eagles 66-82 KIU
Power 75-62 Canons
Amazon 33-105 A-1 Ch’ge
Today at Namboole
Sharing Youth v UCU
Livingstone v St. Michael
Nabisunsa v Leopards
Heaters v Riders
Rangers v Amazon
KCC Lions v Miracle

Sadolin Power defeated Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons 75-62 Friday night to move second on the MTN-Fuba topflight league table while 2005 women champions A-1 Challenge maintained their 13-match unbeaten run with a 105-33 thrashing of Amazon Rhino.

Despite missing big figures Isaac Afidra and Julius Wapera, Power got off to an impressive start to end first quarter with a 31-17 commanding lead.
With Ben Komakech (21 points) calling the plays and finding little trouble in dealing with his opposite Ivan Enabu, Power went into recess ahead 52-28 and the panicky Canons looked to have run out of ideas.
But Sam Lukaire (11) and Geoffrey Omondi (11) orchestrated a comeback that saw Canons cut the lead to six points with only two minutes to end third quarter.
Power’s impressive centre player David Kiberu had been rested after amassing four fouls, giving Canons a chance to dominate the boards. But Joseph Ikong (14), Mark Enabu (9) and their Power teammates recomposed themselves, winning the fourth and last session 23-18.

by Sande Bahaija
Lugogo

Results - FUBA League.
Miracle Eagles 66-82 KIU
Power 75-62 Canons
Amazon 33-105 A-1 Ch’ge
Today at Namboole
Sharing Youth v UCU
Livingstone v St. Michael
Nabisunsa v Leopards
Heaters v Riders
Rangers v Amazon
KCC Lions v Miracle

Sadolin Power defeated Uganda Christian University (UCU) Canons 75-62 Friday night to move second on the MTN-Fuba topflight league table while 2005 women champions A-1 Challenge maintained their 13-match unbeaten run with a 105-33 thrashing of Amazon Rhino.

Despite missing big figures Isaac Afidra and Julius Wapera, Power got off to an impressive start to end first quarter with a 31-17 commanding lead.
With Ben Komakech (21 points) calling the plays and finding little trouble in dealing with his opposite Ivan Enabu, Power went into recess ahead 52-28 and the panicky Canons looked to have run out of ideas.
But Sam Lukaire (11) and Geoffrey Omondi (11) orchestrated a comeback that saw Canons cut the lead to six points with only two minutes to end third quarter.
Power’s impressive centre player David Kiberu had been rested after amassing four fouls, giving Canons a chance to dominate the boards. But Joseph Ikong (14), Mark Enabu (9) and their Power teammates recomposed themselves, winning the fourth and last session 23-18.

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

RESULTS
Berkley 84-78 Rhino
Biston 60-63 MBC Rocks
Bushcourt 65-83 Riders
UCU 75-46 Mak Cubs
Crane 49-53 KCC Lions
TODAY AT LUGOGO
Amazon v A-1 Challenge
Miracle v KIU
Power v UCU Canons

Joseph Ikong will be hoping to maintain his form as Sadolin Power face Uganda Christian University (UCU) Mukono in an MTN-Fuba League game at Lugogo Indoor Stadium tonight.
Power are on 17 points, one behind Canons on the ten-team table and can dislodge their opponents with victory tonight.
But the absence of Isaac Afidra could prove costly for the 2000 champions as the race for play-offs hot up.
“I believe Power can handle any challenge without me. They can even make the play-offs despite my injury,” Afidra told Daily Monitor yesterday.

Canons, who sailed through last year’s regular season without defeat but shockingly lost to Falcons in the semifinals, are no longer the invincible side they used to be. Yet they are still playing without Kenyans Eric Nyamai and Phillip Odur. But Ivan Enabu proved a match winner against Falcons last week and will be the key man for the Mukono side today alongside Adams Njoroge.

Elsewhere, in one of the games played Wednesday, Michael Opolot scored 11 points and Henry Mugisha added nine as KCC Lions recorded their second straight victory against fellow relegation candidates Crane High School. Phillip Wakimwero got 12 points for the now bottom-placed Crane High. A-1 Challenge are unbeaten in the women’s category after twelve games.

These down were the results of the first games played in Ghanaiana Male First Division 2008 just after the August break.
Aug 21
Panthers forfeit match to Warriors
Aug 22
CEPS 83 - Warriors 75
Aug 29
Yotive 70 - C.C.Hoops 67
Thanks to these results, Braves of CEPS confirm their first place in the standings

by Charles Mutebi
Kampala

IT will be second against third in the men's MTN-FUBA basketball league when the UCU Canons take on Sadolin Power at Lugogo Indoor Stadium tonight.
The Canons have slighlty erased a poor first round by winning their first two matches after the recess to move up to second place in the standings.
Power on the other hand sit in third position, one point behind the Canons, although have played a game less than their Mukono-based University rivals.
Victory will take Power level on 19 points with the Canons. Kyambogo Warriors lead the annual competition with 21 points.

Today: Basketball league

Men
Miracle v KIU
Power v Canons

Ladies
Amazon v A1

Results: Men
Lions 53 C. High 49

Ladies
A1 98 C. High 32
Canons 75 Cubs 46

by Julius Mbaraga
Kigali

This year, Rwanda will have the luxury of fielding two clubs at the forthcoming Zone VI Club championships.

National league champions Marine and Zone VI defending champions APR will hoist the Rwandan flag at the nine-day tournament which unfolds on October 28.
APR won last year's edition which was held in Kigali after seeing off Kenya's Kenya Commercial Bank.
This year, the championship will be staged in Ethiopia and all participating clubs are expected to cater for all their expenses.
"In principal, the clubs are expected to cater for all the expenses but the norm here is that the Sports Ministry foots the transport costs," the president of the local basketball governing body (Ferwaba) Fidele Rutagarama said.
In the same vein, the Marine president Colonel Firmin Bayingana remains confident that the club will raise the required funds to travel to Ethiopia.
"We are representing the country in an international event so we will seek support from government and other corporate bodies.
"We intend to solicit for money from various companies to help us cater for accommodation and upkeep while in Ethiopia," Bayingana said.
Marine came to the fore in 2005 when they finished 3rd in their debut season. They also finished third the following season. But last year, they lifted their first league title after seeing off favorites CSK A 3-0 in the play-off series final.
After being crowned Zone VI champions, APR received a lot of applauds from the locals because it was the first time in the history of the championships that a Rwandan club had won the event.

by Malyo Njedengwa

American basketball duo of Jennifer Azzi and Matt Bonner started well clinics for Dar es Salaam students yesterday.

The first clinic, conducted at the Don Bosco basketball ground was witnessed by a huge crowd of young players.
The director of international basketball operations from NBA Brook Meek and vice-president and a community relations official Todd Jacobson were also involved in the clinic.
Young players were shown how to pass, dribble and maintain possession of the ball while playing, a move greeted by a tremendous response.
The NBA delegates said the clinic's opening day was superb and highly inspired many basketball youths.
"We have been impressed by not only the turn-up of players but also the way they grasped the training and great interest shown," said Azzi.
Azzi said she had noted some players who have a remarkable potentials in basketball. They could possibly turn professional should they maintain their playing tempo, she noted.
The NBA delegates also taught some rules of the game apart from playing and handling the ball.
They advised young players to play with determination, team work, practice and stay away from drug abuse and alcohol.
The visit by the NBA delegates is funded by the American people and a US Government-funded NGO called Family Health International Ujamaa Project. The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) is coordinating the clinics.