22 January 2009
UGANDA : ANC 2009: Basketball Teams Start Taking Shape
The men's and women's squads of Uganda getting set for next month's Zone Five Africa Naations championship qualifiers in Rwanda will start training next week.
The original list of 39 men and 38 women has been trimmed to 18 players per team following the one-day trials held over the weekend in Mukono.
The two squads will attend the training sessions planned to take place four times a week.
"We have planned to have training on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday every week," said Peter Kirabo, executive secretary for local governing body FUBA.
Only 12 players will eventually be selected for either side that will travel to Rwanda to compete for the two qualification slots in the respective categories.
However, the two 18-player lists are not definitive and a player(s) who are not named thereon but are eventually deemed good enough to make the final teams could be included.
"We have made allowance for those professional players who might come (into the reckoning) later," Kirabo explained.
Kirabo's statement is mainly a reference to national player Steven Omony who is on a professional stint in the Seychelles and has been contacted by the federation to join the men's national team.
The two-time former national league MVP was officially contacted by FUBA and he positively responded.
"I'm available to contribute to the cause of the national team and would like you (FUBA) to write to my team (PLS Hawks) to request for my release which should not be a problem. As soon as that is sorted out, I will be available to travel back and join the rest of the team," said Omony in his response to the basketball federation's request.
Kirabo explained that they had subsequently requested Omony for a valuation of what it would cost in having him take part and in the qualifiers and are still awaiting a response.
Charles Mutebi
The original list of 39 men and 38 women has been trimmed to 18 players per team following the one-day trials held over the weekend in Mukono.
The two squads will attend the training sessions planned to take place four times a week.
"We have planned to have training on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday every week," said Peter Kirabo, executive secretary for local governing body FUBA.
Only 12 players will eventually be selected for either side that will travel to Rwanda to compete for the two qualification slots in the respective categories.
However, the two 18-player lists are not definitive and a player(s) who are not named thereon but are eventually deemed good enough to make the final teams could be included.
"We have made allowance for those professional players who might come (into the reckoning) later," Kirabo explained.
Kirabo's statement is mainly a reference to national player Steven Omony who is on a professional stint in the Seychelles and has been contacted by the federation to join the men's national team.
The two-time former national league MVP was officially contacted by FUBA and he positively responded.
"I'm available to contribute to the cause of the national team and would like you (FUBA) to write to my team (PLS Hawks) to request for my release which should not be a problem. As soon as that is sorted out, I will be available to travel back and join the rest of the team," said Omony in his response to the basketball federation's request.
Kirabo explained that they had subsequently requested Omony for a valuation of what it would cost in having him take part and in the qualifiers and are still awaiting a response.
Charles Mutebi
# posted by afrbk : 18:24
