31 March 2009

TANZANIA : Basketball tourney kicks-off May 10

By Majuto Omary

The National Basketball League (NBL) is scheduled to start from May 10 to 16 in Mwanza, according to an official.

The secretary general of the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), Lawrence Cheyo, said teams wishing to participate in the tournament should confirm before April 20.

He said the TBF is now soliciting funds from various sponsors in order to stage the championship.
"We are now seeking sponsors to support the tourney. Afterwards we shall hold a meeting to discuss preparations of the tournament," he said.
He urged winners of last year's event to submit the trophies before the confirmation date deadline. Jeshi Stars won last years titles in both men and women categories.

He said all regional men's teams that emerged champions would get direct qualifications while women's teams need no qualification criteria.
"We are promoting women teams and that's why we have allowed all to feature upon confirmation. It is our expectation that many teams will confirm," he said.

Meanwhile, Cheyo commended the Arusha Regional Basketball Association for hosting the intercity tournament that saw Mombasa (men) and Nairobi (women) emerge champions. He also hailed the Dar es Salaam team for finishing second in both categories.

CAPE VERDE : Santiago South Mens Games

Santiago South mens Results

Lenfer X Orgaos - 79 to 68
Seven X ABC - 62 to 61
Assomada X Tarrafl - 15 to 39
Bairro X Assomada - 85 to 37
Seven X Tarrafal - 77 to 53
ABC X Orgaos - 111 to 62
Assomada X Orgaos - 59 to 50
Chao Bom X Tarrafal - 39 to 69

Seven Stars has started very well, has not a lost a game yet. However, Bairro has shown improvement from their first game, and will give Seven a tough game when they meet up in the next round.
ABC, the 2007 champions are not playing up to par, but they are an experience team, and should pick up their games before the end of the regular season.

Zone 6 Nations Cup for men: South Africa beat Zimbabwe 68 – 58 in opening game

The men team of South Africa beat yesterday Zimbabwe 68 – 58 in opening game of Zone 6 Nations Cup for men played in Maxaquene stadium of Maputo, Mozambique and qualifying for the final round of Africa Nations Championship to be held from 05th to 15th August 2009 in Libya.

South Africa won the three first quarters (17 – 10; 18 – 14 and 21 – 15) before lost the last (19 – 12) with the late rising up of Zimbabwe.
Eric Banda of Zimbabwe was the best scorer of the game with 20 points and 3 rebounds.
The best scorer of South Africa was Neo Mothiba with 15 points and 5 rebounds while his teammate Keneth Motaung recorded 12 points and 1 rebound.

For the day 2, Zimbabwe will face the host country, Mozambique while South Africa will take a rest.

30 March 2009

TANZANIA : Mombasa to host next intercity tourney

By Majuto Omary

The Intercity Basketball Coordinating Committee (IBCC) has confirmed that Mombasa city would host the regional tournament next year.

The President of IBCC, Simon Msoffe said yesterday the tournament would be held in Mombasa in March, but the exact date of the kickoff would be disclosed later.
Msoffe said they were looking forward to expanding the tournament and invite more cities across Africa to the contest.
"We want to bring more challenge in the basketball championship, we are still discussing the possibility of involving many cities," he said.

He pointed out that they would consider inviting big cities like Pretoria and the like to participate in the regional event.
"Our aim is to expose our players internationally, we have seen rare talents in this year�s tournament," said Msoffe.

The body invited Pretoria but due to inevitable reasons they did not show up.
The president commended the participation of Harare and Mogadishu saying they brought new challenges to the tourney.
"Harare and Mogadishu have political problems, but they displayed skills that we did not expect," he said.
The Harare team managed to finish third in the just ended tournament while Mogadishu failed to post a single victory.

This year's event was dominated by Kenyan teams, Nairobi women team retained their title after beating Dar es Salaam while Mombasa triumphed over Dar es Salaam (men) to clinch the lift the trophy.

TANZANA : Nairobi and Mombasa crowned 11th Inter Cities champions

Kenyan Nairobi women team and Mombasa men team are the 2009 East and Central Africa Inter Cities champions.

The Kenyans defied all the odds and a roaring home support to take home the 11th regional cities titles in contrasting styles during the final matches played at the Soweto Grounds, Arusha on Saturday 28th March.

Nairobi...........53 Dar..........27

Nairobi reclaimed the title after showing class in their return match against Dar es Salam. Emma Nyakweba nailed the opening basket and banked a three pointer off the board for a 5-2 lead. But Dar recovered and locked the scores 5-5. After Hilda Indasi fast break ignited a run making the scores 7-5, Dar were left trailing the rest of the way.
Nairobi were up 13-5 in the first quarter and maintained a good run in the second where the scores stood at 17-5 for a strong 32-16 edge at the break. And the players doing the damage were captain Angela Luchivya and assistant Caroline Achieng "Majeng".

After the intermission, it was business as usual as Nairobi key a strong defense pilling on the points for a 44-21 charge in the third. The upbeat winners then finished off their opponents by simply running out the fourth with a low scoring 9-6 advantage.

Dar, who had recovered from a 30-7 deficit to suprise Nairobi 65-64 in the opener on their opening day, had no answer for a confident Nairobi as coach Ben Oluoch seemed to have had his defensive tactics working well this time round.

The hard working duo of Luchivya and Achieng led the way superbly. Achieng named MVP led the tally with 12 points, 12 rebounds six steals. Indasi scored 11 while Luchivya contributed eight points, four rebounds and six assists and the impressive Faith Owich tallied another eight.

"After they won the firs encounter by a point, I knew where they hurt us and we had to work on this in our training and this was the key as we cut their inside plays and made them work hard for every shot taken." said a happy Oluoch.

Mombasa..........63 Dar............62

Mombasa dethroned Dar es Salaam 63-62 with a gritty show in this duel that went to the wire with Musa Odari sinking the game clincher from the line with fifteen seconds to play. This was a repeat of last year's show where the host Dar won 68-63.
Mombsa got off to a low start trailing 15-18 in the first quarter. They recovered 12-8 in the second as brothers Musa, Furaha Odari and Dan Okwirri showed their skills to the delight of the crowd.

The third quarter was well balanced as Dar gave as good as they got and even took a 16-17 cushion. But the last was a give and take affair after the losers had taken a 55-48 edge on three unanswered fast breaks.

Mombsa clawed back with two three pointers from Dan Okwirri tying the scores 60-60 and tied again 62-62 before Musa heroics from the line gave Jimnah Kimani's boys a well deserved crown.
Musa led the scoring tally with 17 points and Furaha had 11 while MVP Phillip Amenyi was a rock on defense. For Dar, Charles Mahere scored 18 as did team mate Gilbert Patungi. Both teams battled in last year's finals in Dar

In the semi final matches, Mombasa trailed 11-16 in the first quarter but recovered well to lock out Kampala 67-54.

The winners took the second quarter 21-10, were up 17-15 in the third and wound up 19-14 in the last to set up a date with Dar. Musa shot 15 points while Okwirri scored 10.
Dar shut out Harare 66-49 in the other semis to romp into their third finals in a row. They rolled up a strong 16-5 lead in the first quarter, the second was tied 11-11 before they moved up 13-12 in a closely fought third. The fourth was 26-21 in their favour.

In the classification results:

Third/Fourth place: Debutants Harare beat Kampala 53-44 to claim the third place.
Fifth/ Sixth place: Tanga edged out Arusha 74-73 to be fifth team.
Seventh/Eighth place: Another new comer Mogadishu beat Meru 67-42 to take the seventh position.

29 March 2009

TANZANIA : Kenyan teams shine in intercity basketball

By Suleiman Jongo, Arusha

Mombasa and Nairobi claimed this year's Intercity basketball titles after winning their final matches against Dar es Salaam teams.
Defending champions Nairobi retained their women title after beating Dar Dream team 53-27 while Mombasa dethroned Dar es Salaam men's team 63-62 in a closely fought encounter.

Nairobi who lost to Dar es Salaam 64-65 in the first round, played brilliantly yesterday to secure an impressive victory.
The winners finished the first quarter leading 17-5 and extended it to 32-16 at the end of the first half.
Dar es Salaam girls lost steam in the third quarter and allowed Nairobi to register 12 points against 5 they chalked in that stage.
Nairobi finished the fourth quarter with 9 points while restricting Dar es Salaam to six point gain.
The men's final match between Mombasa and Dar es Salaam was tough and unpredictable.
Dar es Salaam finished the first quarter leading 18-15 before Mombasa playing better in the second quarter to finish 27-26.
Dar es Salaam managed to settle score in the third quarter to end 43-43 all. Mombasa added 20 more points in the final quarter against 19 posted by Dar es Salaam.
Harare claimed the third position after beating Kampala 53-44 in the play off encounter at the same venue.

The tournament's debutants, Harare lost to Dar es Salaam in the semi final stage while Kampala bowed to Mombasa at the same stage.

SEYCHELLES : Angel Fish-sponsored Curtain-raiser tournament - Cobras in first final

THEIR aim is to relive their glorious past and they want to get it started early in the season. Premium Cobras are in tomorrow’s men’s final of the Angel Fish-sponsored Curtain-raiser tournament.

On Thursday at Victoria Gymnasium, coach Guy Hall’s team steamrollered Angels 110-58 in the last-four stage to book their tickets for the final, where they will meet the winners of yesterday’s second semifinal between defending champions PLS Hawks and Razors.

The last time Premium Cobras played in a final was in December 2007 when they lost the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) Cup series to the Hawks.

Premium Cobras won game one 72-68 and were pounded 64-102 in game two, before being scorched 80-61 in the decisive game three.
“We are determined to win some silverware this year,” said club president Roy Collie.
The women’s final at 3pm is a repeat of last year’s, with defending champions Anse Etoile Stars up against HotShots.

G. G.

27 March 2009

SEYCHELLES : Angel Fish-sponsored Curtain-raiser tournament - PLS Hawks march on

PLS HAWKS go marching on in the men’s Angel Fish-sponsored Curtain-raiser tournament.

On Wednesday at the Palais des Sports, Hawks stayed on course for their title defence with an 80-75 quarterfinal win over last year’s first division league winners Baya.

They are now in the semifinal, today at 5.15pm at Victoria Gymnasium, against bottom division side Razors, who eliminated last year’s division two champions Mont Fleuri Dawgz (53-51) and top division side MBU Rockers (76-65 in overtime after the score was tied 62-62 at the end of normal playing time).

Coach Tony Juliette’s PLS Hawks dispatched AAP Brothers 99-37 and RC Dynamics 81-34 in the previous rounds.

The other semifinal was to be played last night between Angels and Premium Cobras. The winners of the two last-four encounters will meet in Sunday’s final at 4.30pm at the Palais des Sports.

The women’s final at 3pm is a repeat of last year’s, with defending champions Anse Etoile Stars up against HotShots.

G. G.

TANZANIA : Dar, Harare in basketball semis

By Suleiman Jongo, Arusha

Dar es Salaam and Harare yesterday qualified for the semi-finals of the East, Central and Southern Africa inter-city basketball championship.

Dar es Salaam, who are the defending champions, qualified after outwitting Mogadishu by 55-28 points, while Harare went through after seeing-off Tanga by 60-52 points.
The first quarter was wholly dominated by Dar es Salaam, who finished it leading 8-0.
As the match progressed, Mogadishu changed their game plan and attacked with long balls, but Dar es Salaam weathered the storm.
In the second quarter, Dar es Salaam registered 12 points to go into the last phase with a comfortable 20-13 lead. Maige Sylvian and Alphonce Kisweka played a big role in the victory after scoring 12 and 10 points respectively.
Mogadishu, who were making their maiden appearance in the regional tournament, are yet to win a game.

Elsewhere, Harare struggled but eventually overcame Tanga 60-52 in a fiercely contested match.Tanga suffered their second consecutive defeat which sent them crashing out of the tournament.

Harare, who are also making their first appearance in the event, played well before reaching the knock-out round.Emmanuel Mukandi and Brian Karemba were a thorn in Tanga's flesh as they scored 13 and 10 points respectively.

Speaking after the match, Tanga's coach, Frank Masumba said their exit was down to poor preparations."We tried our best, but we are now focusing on the next year's event," said Masumba.

Other cities that have qualified for the semi-finals are Mombasa and Kampala.

The fixtures for the semi-finals were drawn late last evening.
Speaking after the games, Simon Msofe, who is the president of the East, Central and Southern African basketball governing body, commended the newcomers Mogadishu and Harare for their participation.

Zone 6 Qualifiers: Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe for one qualifying ticket

The Zone 6 Africa Nations Cup for men will run through Monday 30th March to 04th April 2009 in Maputo (Mozambique). Three (03) teams will compete to book the only qualifying ticket for the final stage: Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Mozambique will meet again South Africa. South Africa ruled out Mozambique during the last game of 2007 zone 6 ANC qualifiers played in Zimbabwe (South Africa – Mozambique 74 – 50). Despite the defeat, a wild card was given to Mozambique to take part in the final round played in Angola.
Zimbabwe is participating for second time in this competition after hosting the Zone 6 2007 ANC qualifiers.

All the delegations confirmed their arrival by Saturday 28th March 2009 in Maputo. The South African delegation who travel by road, is expected at midday to Maputo while Zimbabwe team will arrive by flight around 20 hours. .

The officials of this competition are from Angola included Manuel Antonio Sofrimento (Technical Commissioner), Bernado Antonio and Machado Pinto Iracelmo (referees).

The technical meeting will take place on Saturday 28th March 2009 at 21 hours. According, the FIBA Africa’s Unified Rules of Competition, the event will be played in round robin system.

26 March 2009

SEYCHELLES : Angel Fish-sponsored Curtain-raiser tournament - HotShots and Stars in repeat women’s final


IT’S going to be a repeat of last year’s women’s final after HotShots booked their tickets on Tuesday at Victoria Gymnasium.

The Anse Boileau-based team had no trouble dispatching Cadettes 93-32 to set up another HotShots and Stars will meet on Sunday in a repeat finalexciting match against rivals Anse Etoile Stars.

HotShots walked over Juniors in the quarterfinals, while Cadettes won a bye straight into the last-four stage.
As for defending champs Stars, they trounced RA Sisters 93-54 in their first match last Saturday and disposed of Mont Fleuri 72-49 in the semifinal on Sunday.

The Stars were 70-57 winners over HotShots in the final of last year’s tournament sponsored by Jhelum and they will surely have a fight on their hands against the 2008 league champions as they aim to keep the cup, funded by Angel Fish this time.
The final is slated for Sunday at 3pm at the Palais des Sports.

In the men’s version of the tournament, reigning champions PLS Hawks were up against league winners Baya yesterday for a semifinal spot against surprise team Razors, who eliminated last year’s division two champions Mont Fleuri Dawgz (53-51) and top division side MBU Rockers (76-65 in overtime after the score was tied 62-62 at the end of normal playing time).

The other semifinal is between Premium Cobras and Angels today. Cobras progressed to the last-four stage with a 78-65 victory over Cascade Bullets on Monday after beating LMS Jazz 122-33 in their first encounter.

First divisioners Angels walked over Juniors and dispatched RA Herons 76-46 in the quarters to make the semis.

G. G.

TANZANIA : Dar 'Dream Team' make flying start in cities event


By Miguel Suleyman, Arusha

Dar es Salaam women team (Dream team) punished Arusha 151-13 in a one sided Intercity Basketball match held here yesterday at Soweto court.
Fielding inexperienced young girls, Arusha failed to stop the energetic Dream team led by Doritha Mbunda and Lulu Joseph.
Dar Dream Team completed the second quarter with unassailable 88-8 lead, adding 63 more points in the remaining two quarters.
Lulu Joseph was the match's top scorer with 35 points while her teammate Faraja Maliki chalked up 30 points. Salaam Ismail scored 8 points for the host.

The Men's team, however, had to use extra skills to beat Kampala City 57-45 in the second match at the same venue.
Dar es Salaam began the onslaught with impressive show in the first quarter, which climaxed with Dar es Salaam leading 28-16.
Kampala fought in the second quarter and managed to reduce the margin to 30-26 at the end of the first half.
Kampala continued to pressurise Dar in the third quarter to five points behind the leaders.
Dar es Salaam fighters, Charles Makene, Gilbert Batungi and Frank Kusiga changed the game in the fourth quarter with accurate shootings.
They added 17 more points in the last quarter against 10 points garnered by Kampala Boys.
George Tarimo and Charles Makene shared the top scorer's slot after each posted 17 points. Jeff Omondi who scored 12 points was the Kampala's top scorer followed by his mate Andrew Okoth who chalked up nine points.

Tournament's debutants Mogadishu lost their second match to the hosts in the third match held at the same venue yesterday.

Arusha emerged the winner after posting 74 points against 59 of Mogadishu. The Dar es Salaam men's team takes on Mogadishu at the same venue today.

Ten cities from East, Central and Southern African countries are taking part in this year's tournament.

GHANA : University of Ghana Basketball Competition (UG)

by Isaac Kwapong)
The Legon Hall of the University of Ghana on the 25th of March 2009 organised a basketball competition as part of their annual hall week celebrations. The basketball fiesta featured all the Halls of the university as well as some hostels. The particpating halls and hostels where Legon Hall, Mensah Sabah Hall, Akuafo Hall, Pentagon Hostel, Commonwealth Hall, Jubilee Hostel, International Students Hostel, Evandy Hostel and Banni Hostel. The competitions was sponsored by Ndomine Instant Noodles and Loya Milk. The finals was between Legon Hall and Commonwealth Hall but Legon Hall the host team emerged winners by a low scoring game of 6 - 3. Next week will also see the all famouse University basketball competition RIPOR 3on3 at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

from africabasket.com

LIBERIA : Basketball League Heats Up

There are more matches scheduled this week in the 2009 National League of the Liberia Basketball Federation (LBF).
In todays matches, there will also be two matches. The first match will be between Commissioners and Destiny Queens. Thereafter, Monrovia Rockers will face Dream Team I.
In previous matches played in the 2009 National League, Island Calves went down to Harbel Pointers 68-73 points before Deviers whipped Road Runners 65-46 points on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.
On Wednesday, March 18, 2009, Flip Stars bowed 46-80 points to Cestors Mogars, while Destiny Queens walked away with 20-0 points ahead of Phoenix in game two. Uhuru Kings then buried Commissioners 102-72 points.
The two matches played on Thursday, March 19, 2009 saw Heats collecting a 20-0 victory over Dixville Dragons, whereas Georgia Blazers dragged Road Runners 73-53 points.
Deviers won the first of the three matches that took place on Friday, March 20, 2009 with 53-51 points win against SOS Trotters. Later, Cestos Mogars beat Don Bosco Legends 74-58 points. LPRC Oilers crushed Dream Team II 81-41 points in the last game.
On Saturday, March 21, 2009, Harbel Pointers nailed Road Runners 65-29 points in game one. Urban Invaders then walked over Supreme Brothers, while Mighty Barrolle did away with Commissioners 86-63 points.
Sac Base celebrated a win of 57-49 points against St. Paul Crushers in game one of Sunday, March 22, 2009. Uhuru Prince dragged FUBBA 74-52 points in the second division and in final action on Sunday, March 22, 2009, LPRC Oilers pinned Flames 70 -69 points in a highly contested show down.

TANZANIA : Inter cities championships: Harare beat Tanga 60 – 52 and booked the semi final ticket

NAIROBI women's team were awarded their match against Arusha on a 20-0 basis after the home girls failed to show up for their second Inter Cities championships match at Soweto Grounds, Arusha.


The team which do not have a game today, arrived onto the playing courts in time only to be told that their opponents, who were only playing their first ever regional show, would not be coming after all. The team ended up playing a friendly against the referees losing 53-51.

Arusha had lost 93-02 to Nairobi and crushed 151-13 to Dar in their opening two matches played the previous day. "They are all sick. I told them to rest." said team official Ali Jua when asked why the did not show up to honour the fixture.

Nairobi will meet Dar es Salaam in the final day tomorrow. The first encounter was won by Dar 65-64 and Ben Oluoch's girls know nothing short of a two point win will do for the Kenyans who have vowed to give it their all and reclaim their crown.

Dar............55 Mogadishu...........29

Reigning champions Dar es Salaam blanked Mogadishu 55-29 to book a semi finals ticket without losing a tie. Dar took the first quarter 8-0, lost the second 12-3 but were at their best taking the third 23-9, and the last 12-6.

Alphonse Kisaka made 10 points while Maige Sylvan shot 12. For the Somalians, Mohammed Ibrahim scored 12 including eight in the first half while Ibrahim Hussein bagged nine.

Harare.......60 Tanga........52

Playing in only their first Inter Cities tournament, Harare shocked Tanga 60-52 with a disciplined play to romp into the semi finals. They took the first quarter 19-14 and the second 18-11 but trailed 9-12 in the third and 14-15 in the last. They will face off against pool B winner Dar.

Thariso Nkomo and Steve Mudawarima each made 11 points each while Emmanuel Mukandi led with 15 points for the winners who were exited at their proggresss. Dabad Maruli shot 16 points while Gidibo scored 23 points for the losers.

25 March 2009

TANZANIA : Kampala thrash Mogadishu in basketball

The regional Inter-Cities basketball tournament started with bang in Arusha today, as Kampala flattened Mogadishu by 83-35 points. Kampala were unstoppable from the word go as they proved too strong for Mogadishu at the Sheikh Amri Abeid Memorial Stadium.

Kampala top scorers were Jeff Omondi, who netted 22points, while John Okalla managed 15 points. Mogadishu notable scorers were Mohammed Ally (13) and Adam Omar Ally (12). In another match Mombasa whitewashed Tanga 97-50.

Mombasa’s Danny Okwiri, Zadak Odhiambo and Mussa Oduor were unstoppable, as they were scoring points almost at will. Cities that are competing in the event are Harare, Mogadishu, Tanga, Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and hosts Arusha.

Fifteen city teams had earlier expressed interest to take part in the tournament, but others have failed due to various reasons including financial difficulties. He named some of the cities that pulled out at the eleventh hour as Mbeya, Mwanza, Kigali and Bujumbura. Dar es Salaam are the defending champions in the Men’s category. Dar women team finished second behind Kampala City, who won the 2008 championship in Dar es Salaam.

UGANDA : Mak Open exposes Power cracks

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

Final results (men)
Makerere 49 Falcons 41
Women
A-1 Challenge 36 Makerere 16

A loss to Knight Riders in the Makerere Open preliminaries looked like a minor stumble but it turned out to be a sign that National Basketball League defending champions Dmark Power are after all not indomitable.

After signing two-time former most valuable player Norman Blick and his brother Donald last month, Power established an ‘All-Star’ side. The Blicks joined last year’s best player Ben Komakech, Joseph Ikong, Isaac Afidra, making Power the team to beat regardless of the competition in Uganda.

But the Makerere Open held at the university Pool Court over the weekend left the technical men at Power with many cracks in the team to be blocked ahead of the league that gets underway next month.

First, Power went down to Knight Riders 38-62. The Blick brothers sat out the biggest part of the tournament but were called in for reinforcement at the semifinal stage against the hosts. They combined for 20 points with Norman sinking in 12 and Ikong adding 13 but Power still lost 47-51.
“I admit the team has some weaknesses but the organizers cheated us. They tampered with the clock and the game ended three minutes earlier,” Peter Mubanda, club technical director said.

After beating Power, Makerere went on to hold off Falcons 49-41 in the final. Last year’s runner-up A-1 Challenge humiliated the home team 36-16 to win the women’s title.

RWANDA : Registration for hoops league on

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

CLUBS have been called to register for the 2009 National basketball league. The call comes just days before the national basketball federation (Ferwaba)’s annual general meeting due this Sunday.
“We have informed clubs to start registering for the 2009 league but until date, none has complied,” the federation’s secretary Christine said.

Despite a fascinating start, last year’s league had the worst of endings when APR’s indomitable lions were declared champions by default.

Having to play reigning champions Marine in the play-offs final, the Gisenyi-based club boycotted the final much to the dismay of the basketball fraternity.

Never the less, Cliff Owuor guided APR to their third league title since 2005 when he joined the club.

The Kenyan, who has also guided the club to several other trophies including back-to-back Zone-5 Club Championship, has already earned a reputation as the most successful coach in the club’s history.

Speaking ahead of this year’s campaign, Owuor said that the club is already focusing on sweeping as many titles as they can.
“APR is a big club and as usual sets targets of winning as many titles as they can. So we are sticking to that this year,” he said.

TANZANIA : Inter –Cities Championship: champions dar es Salaam hit Kampala 58-45

Reigning men Inter Cities champions hit Kampala 58-45 in the toughest game of the day 2 played at the Soweto Grounds today. Dar moved closer to topping the pool. Dar were up 28-16 in the first quarter, a low scoring second saw the scores stand at 6-2 in favour of Kampala who also took the third 14-10.

But Dar recovered and grabbed the second 18-10 to carry the day.Charles Manene scored 17 points while George Tarimo managed 15 for Dar who got off to a 85-54 win over Arusha in a late game the previous day where Tarimo nailed 21 points.

Kampala gave as much as they got and it was the Mombasa born Jeff Omondi who was the main point man, dishing out passes and running their plays. He tossed in his team's high of 11 points.

Nairobi.......93 Arusha............02

Nairobi women who did not dress up the speedy Hilda Luvandwa after she sustained an injury in the 64-65 loss to Dar es Salaam in the opener were still all too good for the Arusha side who trailed 0-21 in the first quarter after Nairobi set off to a bright start.

The second quarter was no different, but atleast Arusha's Nunu Idi did hit the target when she tossed in their only basket of the game to the delight of their rooting fans. Nairobi were up 28-2 in this quarter.

After the break, there was too little the home side, despite their fans urging them on, could do as their opponents boasting experience and skill proved the better of the two in this one sided contest. the two teams will meet again today.

Bridgit Nanzala led all scorers with 11 points while Caroline "Majeng" Achieng and Faith Owich each tallied another 10 points a piece. The team had atleast a basket from the entire team in this game played in a hot sun.

Mombasa.... 54 Harare.............45

Patrick Kirui scored the opening five points as Mombasa broke away early to hit Harare 54-45 after a 8-7 lead in the first quarter. the second quarter as a high octane one with Mombnasa up 20-12 and 14-10 in the third. But Harare had the edge in the last one taking a 16-12 lead.

Furaha Odari led with example sinking 13 points while Kirui managed seven. For Harare, Cogan Maboreke scored 11.

Arusha........74 Mogadishu..............59

Host Arusha posted their first win when they dismissed Mogadishu 74-59 in a match played at mid day. They led 29-15 trailed 9-21 in the secodn. Reciovered to take the third 14-10 and were superb in the last with a 20-13 cushion.

Salim Hussein led with 20 points while Ali Omar hit another 14 for the victors. The losers had 15 from Mohammed Ibrahinm and 14 from Mohammed Aziz.

Dar..........151 Arusha........... 13

Dar women set the tournaments highest scoreline when they humilated Arusha 151-13. They took the first quarter 36-5, went a notch higher in the second 47-3, the third was 28-4 and the last 40-1 to hammer home a tough point to Nairobi. Lulu Joseph and Faraja Malaki led the rout with 35 and 30 points respectively.

Todays matches.
Harare v Tanga, Nairobi v Arusha (from 9 am ), Dar v Mogadishu, Kampala v Arusha and Meru v Mombasa. Matchges to be played in courts A and B.

24 March 2009

TANZANIA : East and Central Africa Inter Cities: Nairobi fell to Dar Es Salam 64 – 65 in opening

NAIROBI today fell 64-65 to Dar Es Salaam in their opening East and Central Africa Inter Cities championships at the Sheikh Ahmed Abedi Stadium, Arusha.

In a game played under scorching sun, it was Nairobi who had the better of their opponents taking a 43-37 lead at half time as Dar charged from a poor start where Hilda Luvandwa hit 3 three pointers and added a basket for an easy cruise.

But the second quarter and the third were a different game as Nairobi visibly tired, Dar controlled the tempo scoring 13 points without reply. The third was worse as they missed shots after shots managing only a single free throw as Dar raked in 22 points.

But the fourth was a hard fought one as Nairobi gave their all recovered to tie the scores 49-49 on a fee shot by Luvandwa and Caroline Achieng and Angela Luchivya points saw another 54-54 tie with time running out and the team pressing profusely.

Nairobi took the fourth 17-16 but again the slim margin that Dar had build in the two middle quarters saw them carry the day amid roar from their supporters.

Luvandwa potted 21 points while Achieng added 12 for Nairobi, who must win the second game and final one on Saturday to habour any hope of reclaiming their title. Dar had Facy Malaki scoring 16 points while Danita Mbanda made 12.

In the second game, Mombasa (Kenya) beat Tanga 100 – 50, Patrick Kirui shot 14 points and Mike Shigaria dded 17 to guide Mombasa men to a 100-50 win over Tanga. The winners led 23-12,24-15, 24-13 and 29-10 in the four quarters. Gidibo Tindwa shoit 17 while Ibrahim Musa hit 9.

Kampala (Uganda) won 83-35 over Mogadishu (Somalia) as they took the quarters 28-13, 20-9, 16-8, 19-5. Jeff Omondi made 22 points and John Okea had 15. For the losers, Mohammed Ali scored 13 and Aden Omar sunk 12.

Harare (Zimbabwe) dismissed home side Meru (Tanzania) 51-33 after taking a 15-4, 18-10, 14-3 and 6-4 margin in the four quarters. Changestai Govered managed 11 points and Stephen Mudawarima notched game high 21. For Meru, Eliza Mwabubusi was the only player to hit double figures, he had 10.

The games were declared open by the Managing Director of Arusha International Conference Center Elishilia Kaaya.

Matches to be played at two courts in Soweto from 8am

Arusha v Dar (women) - Courts A
Tanga v Meru 10 am - Courts B
Dar v Kampala - Courts A
Mombasa v Harare - Courts B
Arusha v Nairobi (women) - Courts B
Arusha v Mogadishu - Courts A

NIGERIA : Raptors beat First Deepwater in fitness test

In her bid to be ready for the challenges ahead, First Deepwater basketball club last Friday engage a male team (Raptors basketball club) in a fitness-test-match at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

The match according to the Head Coach of the Oil and Gas ladies, Lateef Erinfolami was meant to prepare the players fitness level for the crunchy ties ahead was won by the Charles Ibeziako tutored Raptors side by 65-52 points.

The match played over five quarters as against the normal four quarters meant for a normal basketball game has the First Deepwater ladies winning two quarters (12-08 and 17-12) of the five quarters with the Raptors side picking three quarters (11-09, 24-06 and 0-08) the biggest win for the Raptors came in the third quarter when they powered passed the Erinfolami tutored First Deepwater ladies by 24-06.

Coach Erinfolami, however, thumbed-up the performance of his players and promised that the team will be set for the league.
“I am pleased with the players out-put against an all male-team today (last Friday) and I have absolute confidence that they will be set for the Nigeria Women League.
“As you can see we are setting the pace for other clubs to follow and we are proud of such feat.
“Playing an all-men team will be a continuous process because we are aiming at something and that is to get each of the players prepared for the big task ahead of us, concluded Coach Erinfolami.

First Deepwater is expected to take on the Raptors in a rematch on Friday and other men teams in her bid to raise the best team.

By: Olusegun Ikuesan

FIBA Africa

23 March 2009

ANGOLA : Rosters 2009

Libolo Roster
________________________________________
Domingos Bonifácio, Sílvio Lopes, António Carvalho and Adilson Camara (Guards)
Joaquim Xavier, Gerson Monteiro, Feliciano Camacho,Ezequiel Silva, Luis Costa and Joseph Mbang (Cameroon)(Fowards)
Leonel Paulo, Manuel Mariano, Camby Brito 1,99m and Reggie Moore (USA) (Centers)

Coach: Raul Duarte


Lusíada Roster
________________________________________
Elmer Felix, Nsilo Lopes, Leandro da Conceição 1,95m, Amândio Costa, Leonel Boaventura (Guards)

João Cassua, José Miguel, Késsio Viegas, Rosário Pitra, Amlide Lufungula (Fowards), Eugénio Amaral, Maurício da Silva, Branislav Couceiro, Mauro Silvestre (Fowards/Centers)

André Salgado 1,97m (Center).

Desportiva da Huila roster
________________________________________
Buila Katiavala 2.08m (RDC), Abdulay faty 2.07m (Cape Verde), Bruno Maiato 2.03, Manuel Rostino 2.00 (Centers)

Andre Miguel, Adalberto António 1,92m, Carlos, Osvaldo Baltasar, Gaspar Bango, Valdemar Domingues, Emanuel Caetano, Edson Domingos (Fowards)

Adilson Moreira, Mauro Lobito, Feliciano Almeida, Yuri Swingui 1,79m, Cesar Carapinha (Guards)

Petro Atlético roster
________________________________________
Eduardo .Mingas, Frederick Gentry (USA), Abdel Boukar(RDC), Victor Muzadi (Centers)

Heshimu Ewans (Usa), Carlos Morais, Fernando Albano, Francisco Horácio, Hermegildo Tandala, Vitor Carvalho, Vladimir Pontes, Joaquim Costa (Fowards)

Milton Barros, Paulo Santana, Roberto Fortes (Guards)


1ºAgosto roster
________________________________________
Joaquim “Kikas “Gomes, Felizardo Ambrósio, Francisco Jordão 2,05m (Portugal) (Centers)

C.Almeida, Mayzer Alexandre, Olímpio Cipriano, Vlademiro Ricardino, Rodrigo Mascarenhas (Cape Verde), Simão João, Pierro Ilunga (Fowards)

Miguel Lutonda, Armando Costa, Adilson Manuel (Guards)


Interclube roster
________________________________________
Hugo Cristiano, Lifetu Selengue (RDC), Jorge Taty, Nivaldo Sumbo, Roly Mayombo (Centers)

Sanu Maria, Vicente Neto, Francisco Sousa, Helder Domingos, Michel Santos, Armindo Chipongue, Mutu Fonseca, Euclides Camacho (Fowards)

Simão Panzo, João Swingue, Fabrice Mokoteemapa 81 1,92m (RCA)(Guards)


ASA

Edmundo Ventura 1,82m, Wilson da Mata , Rui Matias 1,84m, Hélder King 1,99m, Felipe Abraão , José Nascimento, Wilson Carvalho , Adolfo Quimbamba 1,98m Leroy Watkins 2,03m (USA), Afonso Rodrigues 1,80m, Francisco Gonçalves , Cristóvão Oliveira , Carlos Quibato 1,81m, Ildefonso Kiteculo 1,96m,

Coach: Carlos Diniz


PROMADE CABINDA

Raimundo Mukla, Hélder Gonçalves 1,97m, Carlos “Rock” Langonda 2,01m, Luís Fernandes, Mário Correia (Cape Verde), Paulo Barros, Dominig Samba, Augusto Sangunga, Luís Matias, Henrique Bado, Edgar Chocolate and Paulo Papy.

KENYA : Shimba Hills won the title

By PHILIP ONYANGO

Humiliated Bura Girls

In girls’ basketball, Shimba Hills won the title for the first time in the history of the school with a humiliating 113-34 win over Bura Girls in the finals after leading 59-16 at the break.

Susan Akinyi returned from injury to lead the scorecard with 38 points while Purity Odhiambo and Fatma Mohamed contributed 35 and 23 points respectively while Peter Tadencia scored 18 points for Bura Girls.

As expected, Taita Taveta dominated the decathlon heptathlon and cross country titles and will send a majority of the athletes for the national championships in Embu.

Fatuma Mohammed (right) of Shimba Hills dribbles past Dorothy Mwangona of Ribe Girls during their basketball match at the Coast secondary school games at Matuga Girls, at the weekend. Shimba Hills walloped Bura Girls 113-34 in the final to win the provincial title. Photo/GIDEON MAUNDU

TANZANIA : More teams arrive ahead of basketball tournament

By Suleiman Jongo

As kick-off day draws closer, more teams are arriving in Arusha for the intercity basketball championships set to start tomorrow.

Teams from three Kenya cities arrive today from Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.

The event was earlier expected to feature teams from ten cities. However, Mwanza withdrew two days before kick-off because of shortage of funds.
The president of the East, Central and Southern Africa Basketball

Federation, Simon Msoffe, confirmed yesterday that teams from Harare (Zimbabwe) and Mogadishu (Somalia) were already in Arusha from Friday.
This is the first time Harare and Mogadishu teams are included in the regional tourney.

Msoffe said teams from Dar es Salaam and Tanga are also expected to report in Arusha today.
In the men�s discipline, the Dar es Salaam team, dubbed �Dream Team� vowed to defend their title well.

The team comprises players who took part in the recently-ended RBA Kili league. This was organised by Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) and sponsored by the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager.
"We hope all the teams will be here today. This will give us ample time to draw up fixtures," said Msoffe.

The regional tourney is held on rotation among member countries.
Its main objective is to develop basketball in the region and strengthen friendship among players.

TANZANIA : Zone Five Inter Cities throws off in Arusha tomorrow

The waiting is over as the whistle goes tomorrow for the start of the 11th Edition of East and Central Africa Inter Cities championships in the Tanzania city of Arusha.

Executive Officer Agina Wesonga, who left Nairobi on Saturday said the stage is set for perhaps the most eagerly awaited tournament in a long while. He said that it will roll off with a two day referees clinic to be conducted by one of Africa's top whistler- Vitalis Gode.
"We are looking forward to a great event. We have worked closely with Local Organising Committee for some time now, the time to see the fruits of a long dream is now. I believe the five day championships will be a wonderful one as his Worship the Mayor and his team have worked hard." said Agina.

Nairobi women's team departed for Arusha on Monday morning all set for the show. The team that missed the Dar es Salaam festival last year due to funds have this time round solicisted for funds from well wishers and are rearing to go. The mission is- return the crown home.

The team under coaches Ben Oluoch and Sylvia "Sly" Kamau wound up their four week training at the Railways Club with the tacticians expressing optimism that the girls would do well enough to reclaim the regional title from Kampala City Council (KCC) side.

Oluoch told Fiba Afrique yesterday that there is some problems at the post with the unavailablity of some key players in that position but noted that there are enough cover with the experience of Caroline Achieng "Majeng" to bank on.

He said that, even with some important players missing from the squad due to other commitments, the team would try their best to redeem the image of the nation following the disastrous outing in Rwanda by the national side.

"The post has been of great concern to me during trainings. We might not have the best but with Majeng and expected help from the others we will have the work done and hopefully return the trophy to Nairobi "observed Oluoch.

Oluoch decried the absence of Beryl Amayo, the Strathmore University center who also missed out on the national team duty during last month's Zone Five Africa Nations Cup qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda due to college commitments.

"We will miss Beryl, but as I had said earlier we will have players like Bridgit Nanzala to help out and expect that our experienced guards like Angela Luchivya, Rebecca Sarange, Hilda Luvandwa and Eunice Ouma would step up." said Oluoch

Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) chairman told the players. "We have run around looking for funds as this is our responsibilty. With the little resources that we have got, we will try to make you feel as comfortable as possible. For you,m just do the job at hand." he said.

Nairobi men's team will be missing though. The teams won the event at home in 2007 but were unable to make it to Dar. The dominating Nairobi side were also winners in Kampala in 2006. Reigning champions are Kampala (women) and Dar (men).

The Nairobi team will consist of 13 players namely- Luchivya (captain), Achieng (assistant captain), Eunice Ouma, Rebecca Sarange, Bridgit Nanzala, Mildred Achieng, Anastasia Njeri, Hilda Luvandwa, Irene Makori, Emma Nyakweba, Faith Owich, Eleanor Musundi and Joyce Nyagol,

22 March 2009

KENYA : St Austin’s new city champions

By SAMMY KITULA

Saint Austin’s Academy are this year’s Nairobi boys’ basketball champions. St Austin’s humbled pre-match favourites Nairobi International School (NIS) 86-83 in a tough final at Hillcrest School, on Saturday.

St Austin’s head coach, David Maina, said he had a firm belief his side had the potential to win the title: “We talked about it in training, and our goal was to win the championship. This’ a great turnaround. We all feel very good about it. We’re all very proud of each other. There’s still a lot of work to be done,” he said.

Michael Owino, who scored six of his match’s-high 25 points in overtime, said: “I’m glad to have helped my team claim victory,”

Steven Odhiambo added 20 points and five rebounds as they led their team to a record 11th provincial title.

NIS’ head coach, Crispine Mbega watched as his side squander a 70-68 lead with only 30 seconds of play in the last quarter.

“It stings. It is a negative exclamation point on a final. It would have been nice to walk out of here with a smile, but such is life,” said Mbega.

For the newcomers, Said Hemed scored 29 points to go with 10 assists, while Daniel Elisha had 16 points and nine rebounds.

Done nice job

Elisha was guarding a backing-down Owino in the post when Odhiambo, suddenly sprinted down the lane past Hemed for an easy lay-up off the feed from Owino. That gave St Austin’s the lead, 62-60, with only two minutes left in the extra time.

“Owino has done a nice job for us,” Maina said. “Certainly going down the stretch it has given him a lot of confidence and should propel him into a better situation in future championships,” he said.

After taking a 8-4 lead within the first three minutes, there was no turning back for Austin’s as they held on that lead up to the ninth minute when the Mbega’s boys caught up with them at 27-25.

In a game that saw both teams share the lead at different times, was stretched to extra time, after the sides tied at 72-72.

“We knew that NIS would be defending a lot and they have a fouling problem, especially in this championship. So my boys kept on forcing those fouls,” said Maina.

Playing a very relaxed but coordinated game, the champions took advantage of the many technical errors and turnovers their experienced opponents were committing.

Guard Odhiambo was the main catalyst for the winners, terrorising his opponents with his ball artistry, as he hit baskets after baskets.

Meanwhile, just as MacDonald Mariga was instrumental during Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualification matches, so was his younger sister during the girls’ finals at Hillcrest School on Saturday.

Mercy Wanyama sunk 24 points to lead Langata High School to their first provincial title with a 51-36 victory over 2007 champions, St. George’s Secondary School.
“This is one of my happiest times in my life. Making it to the nationals has always been my dream and I thank God that we have managed this feat,” said the 17-year-old forward.The former champions took time to settle as the combined attack of Wanyama and Virginia Awino made unlimited visits at their opponents’ court, with a series of lay-ups to lead 27-15 at half time.
“I’ve been admiring how my brothers, Victor Mugabe and Mariga, perform at the national team and it is my hope that one day I’ll also don the national colours in basketball,” said the form three student at Langata.

EGYPT : Two consecutive wins for Itthad,Ahly and Zamalek

Round 2; Ahly, I tthad and Zamalek made 2 wins over Gezira,Somouha, Geish. The 3rd round will take place on the 24th with a big battle between Zamalek Vs Itthad in Alexandria this game will show how Itthad is willing to chase for the league title this season after 7 year for preparing this team. However,Zamalek who lost only tow games in the regular season will not accept any defeats to prove that they are heading to the title with steady steps. On the other hand, ahly will have an easy game with somouha in alexandria putting in mind the last loss in the regular season their. Finally, Gezira young players will face Geish searching for the 1st win after releasing Joseph Garth who is not fitting with the team.

from africabasket.com

20 March 2009

TANZANIA : Dar teams leave for regional Inter Cities b’ball meet

Dar es salaam teams both men and ladies popularly known as ‘Dream Teams’ leaves tomorrow for Arusha to compete in Inter Cities Basketball tournament set to start from Tuesday to Saturday. The teams received regional flag from the Dar es Salaam City Mayor, Adam Kimbisa, today during a brief ceremony at the Karimjee Hall in the City.

Kimbisa expressed his optimism that Dar es Salaam will prevail in the championships. “I believe you have formidable teams both for men and ladies. You should therefore, make sure that you win both trophies,” he told the players and team official. Dar es Salaam are the defending Champions in the Men’s category.

Dar women team finished second behind Kampala City who won the 2008 championship in Dar es Salaam. President of Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) Simon Msofe said the teams would leave with a contingent of 28 players. He said the teams received 8,000 US dollars (about 10m/-) from SD Africa company to prepare for the tournament, saying players are in upbeat mood ready for the event.

Cities that have confirmed their participation in the championships are Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mbeya, Tanga, Nairobi, Mombasa, Kampala, Entebbe, Kigali and Harare. The players in the men team which are under coaches Bahati Mgunda and his assistant Dassty Macula are Gilbert Batungi, Philbert Mwaipungu, Frank Agustino (JKT), Frank Kusiga, Charles Makene, Francis Mlewa, Musa Chacha, Tumsifu Apollo (Vijana), Jacob Marenga, Obote Mwambongo, Alfonce Kusekwa, Sudi Razak, Sylivian Maige (OILERS).

Others are Gerald Baru, Lusajo Samwel -- Mgulani, Edmund Pastory, (UDSM Outsider), Cloudio Kisanko (Hooplife), William Muze (PT STARS), Hosea Baraigwa (Savio), George Tarimo, Mohamed Yusuph. The ladies team under the tutelage of Peter Samson include Lucy Augustino, Faraja Malaki, Jabu Shaaban, Annomisiata Antony, Nipael Kessy, Agness Simkando, Grace Mugyabuso (Jeshi Stars), Esther Fanuel, Dorita Mbunda, Lulu Joseph, Elizabeth Masenyi and Angela Ignas (JKT).

Others are Neema Emmanuel, Annah Paul from Polisi Dar es Salaam, while players from Don Bosco Lady Lion are Amina Ahmed, Khadija Kalambo and Nina Mliga. Zakia Kondo, Esther Idd, Mwadawa Khamis, Nuru Fundi and Fanuna Yasini are from Cargo Ladies, while from Tanzania Prisons are Naima Bori, Zuhura Twalib and Semeni Aswile. The men team has been training at the Zanaki courts, while ladies team has been training at ABC courts.

19 March 2009

TANZANIA : Teams arrive for basketball tournament

By Suleiman Jongo

Harare and Mogadishu basketball teams are expected to fly in tomorrow for the East, Central and Southern Africa Inter-cities championship.

Arusha will host the regional competition from March 24 to 29, with the event involving both men and women teams from various cities of the region.

Simon Msoffe, President of the East and Central African regional basketball governing body (ACIBCC), said preparations for the event were complete. Msoffe said the two men's teams from Harare and Mogadishu would make their first appearances in the tourney.
Other cities, whose teams would participate include; Nairobi, Jinja, Kisumu, Mombasa, Mwanza, Mbeya, Dar es Salaam, Port Victoria, Entebbe and Kampala.

According to Msoffe, teams would arrive in Arusha one day before the kickoff day, while referees would arrive two days before.

Dar es Salaam teams dubbed the 'Dream Teams' are now under intensive training for the tournament.
Dar es Salaam City are the defending Champions in the Men's category while the women team finished second behind the winners Kampala City.

EGYPT : Egyptian Super league finals starts tonight

Three buttels will take place tonight in the 1st round of the super league finals .First buttle will be held in Cairo stadium Gezira Vs Itthad,they Just met three days ago and Itthad was able to win showing a great performance to send Gezira off the quarter cup finals.Second buttle will be held in Amir fisal court when Ahly faces Geish in a real hard buttle for both teams who will not accept any defeat in the first round.Third game will be held in Zamalek court who will be facing somouha this game could be an easy one for the undefeated Zamalek who lost only 2 games in the regular season,while Somouha is suffering since their head coach Sherif Azmy left the team last month heading to his second home Syria.

from africabasket.com

KENYA : Nairobi City Council should avail funds to enable basketball teams participate in Arusha

It is dispiriting when teams prepare for championships only to be disappointed in the last minute due to lack of funds.

This happens when players and the team management have spent their time and meagre resources in training for the events.

While we understand that the hard economic times may be a factor to the last minute withdrawals of teams from events, we must also appreciate this might not only reflect badly on the teams, but also create an impression Kenyans are poor planners.

Last year, former East and Central Africa Inter-Cities basketball champions, Nairobi City men’s and women’s basketball teams did not participate in the regional tournament held in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Nairobi Basketball Association cited lack of funds for this, despite Nairobi women’s and men’s teams winning the regional titles the previous year.

This year, too, Nairobi City teams’ chances of taking part in the championship set for between March 24 and 28 in Arusha, Tanzania, are still hanging in a balance, owing to financial constrains. Nairobi Basketball Association has only raised a paltry Sh50,000 when the teams need Sh630,000.

Being teams that represent the capital city, which is believed to be endowed with enormous financial resources, it is ironical Nairobi teams may miss the event when Mombasa and Kisumu cities have teams in the tournament. Besides, it shows how Nairobi City takes such tournaments for granted in addition to being poor planners, more so, when it involves former champions.

The games offer an opportunity for participants to socialise and sharpen their skills and should not be taken lightly.

KENYA : Six venues to host national league games this year


For the first time, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) national classic league will be played in six venues countrywide.

This follows the entry into the league by teams from Easter and Western Province. The new clubs are Eastern Queens who will play in the women's premier league and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) who have joined the lower division.

Queens, which is virtually a Nairobi based outfit will be playing their home matches in Meru while MMUST will have their home ties at the Kakamega Police Canteen.

A total of 29 teams will take part in this year's championships that throws off April 4 with the opening matches at the Coca Cola National Stadium in Nairobi. The first leg fixtures come to an end on July19 after a total of 137 matches.

Previously the league matches have have been played at Coca Cola Stadium in Nairobi, Makande Welfare Hall in Mombasa, Menengai High School in Nakuru and Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu.

The biggest fixture of all pitting reigning champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions against runners up Co-operative Bank of Kenya is programmed for July 4. KCB face Posta a week latter and play Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) on June 28.

In the ladies match,up champions KPA will tackle Eagle Wings, a team they beat for last year's crown in Mombasa on May 16, tackle Eastern Queens on July 4 with Wings playing Queens on April 12in a tight duel.

New comers Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) who jumped from the Nairobi Provincial League to the top tier will find life at the rough really rough and their opener is against Sprite Storms on April 19.
.
This follows the entry into the league by teams from Easter and Western Province. The new clubs are Eastern Queens who will play in the women's premier league and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) who have joined the lower division.

Queens, which is virtually a Nairobi based outfit will be playing their home matches in Meru while MMUST will have their home ties at the Kakamega Police Canteen.

KENYA : National league: Champs Lions take on Mennonites as league throw off April 4


Reigning national league champions Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions take on new comers Lomboritz as the 2009 premier league matches get underway at the Coca Cola National Stadium on April 4.

This should be an easy opener for Lions, who won their first ever back to back crown by coming from behind to dismiss rivals Co-operative Bank of Kenya in last year's fiercely contested play off finals.

The women champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) will step onto the podium on the second week as they host Strathmore University "Swords" while the men's side also take on Strathmore "Blades" in Mombasa.

There will be an eight game card in the first weekend that will see debutants Kenya College of Accountancy University and Mennonites, who were promoted from the Nairobi Basketball Association NBA) also in action.

Posta, who are returning to the top flight ball after many years, will play their first game against Kenyatta University "Pirates" on April 12. The mailmen made history by joining the elite without losing a match at the lower level.

Another new comer is Kakamega based Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) who qualified in Mombasa together with KCA University.

The fixtures released yesterday by Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixtures secretary Joseph Amoko have included university teams a move that seems to allay fears that the students will play only in their newly launched league that is on going.

KCA University will play Mennonites in a lower division tie that will also be the season opener at 10 am while Mennonites ladies will follow with a match against University of Nairobi "Dynamites" at 12 pm.

Another crunch match will pit runners up and Africa Club championships participants, Eagle Wings against Strathmore. The students have shown remarkable improvements and will not be a push over this year.

The following day, Eastern Queens, a new side that will be operating from Meru as their home team have been pitted against Yana in what should be an equally exiting tie as some of the latter players have crossed over.
Queens have recruited well and have assigned Abel Nson and Justus "Jazz" Ahkwesa as the sides tactician. They have been training and have their eyes set on nothing but the national title in their opening year.

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (Jkuat) face off with Blazers in Division One match while Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) meet World Hope in another game.

Fixtures April 4
KCA v Mennonites,
Mennonites v Dynamites (w),
Eagle Wings v Strathmore University,
KCB Lions v Lomboritz.

April 5:
Jkuat v Blazers,
NPC v World Hope,
Eastern Queens v Yana,
Co-operative Bank v UoN Terrorists.

April 11:
KPA v Strathmore,
KPA v Strathmore (m) in Mombasa,
Mennonites v MMUST,
ANU v Nakuru Club,
Dynamites v Storms,
KU Pirates v NSSF Stars.

April 12:
Jkaut v MMUST,
Eagle Wings v Eastern Queens,
USIU v NSSF Stars,
KU Pirates v Posta.

18 March 2009

KENYA : Shimo La Tewa win Coast match


Kolde Hugo of Malindi's Barani Secondary School and Samuel Wandwa of Mombasa's Shimo la Tewa Boys School during the Coast ball games at Waa HighSchool in Kwale. Shim La Tewa won 1-0. Photo/Gideon Maundu

KENYA : St George’s face Langata in basketball final


By SAMMY KITULA

There is a renewed determination about former schools’ provincial champions, St George’s Secondary School, as they face-off with Langata High School in Saturday’s Nairobi basketball final at Hillcrest School.

Coach Juma Kent is convinced that 2008 disappointments are behind his team. St. George’s were Nairobi title winners in 2007 but as fate would have it, in 2008 they failed to even make finals after they lost by half a basket to the eventual winners, Pangani Girls High School.

Langata, won’t be easy pushovers going by their last week’s sterling 53-31 upset over Buru Buru. “Last year we fought a good battle, but lost to a championship team. I thought they deserved the win as we were plagued with several errors from our court. We just couldn’t come back,” says Kent.

Soya award

Kent, who is the 2009 Sports Personality of the Year Award (Soya) Community Hero, expects his side to rise this year. There are also plenty of new faces; even if the former champions lost some big names and were unable to make the top drawer trades they and their fans had been hoping for.

Tanya Ogwel, Valerie Okoth and Drusila Njoki have all been instrumental in the 2009 campaign, scoring a massive 154 points amongst themselves.

There is, says Kent, less experience but perhaps more hunger in the team. “It’s those kinds of players that give me hope that we will make it. I love that in these players; they’re hungry, they’re talented, they’ve been beat up a little bit. I love the challenge of trying to find one or two of them that can help us. I told them not to worry about the name on the back of the jersey of whom you’re competing against,” he says.

Such is Kent’s determination that things be different this time around that he has even put in two extra hours in his normal training.

LIBERIA : Former NBA stars due in Monrovia

The Liberia Basketball Federation will hold a special basketball tournament on March 15.

The competition is intended to raise funds to support the stay of former NBA stars that are expected in the country from March 18 to 25.
Teams that are take part in the competition include NPA Pythons, LPRC Oilers, Uhuru Kings and Dream Team I.
The Former NBA Stars are expected to visit Liberia from March 18 to the 25th.
The nine players and six officials will hold series of workshops for coaches and players in the country.
The former NBA players led by Utah Jazz center Paul Grant, Milwaukee Bucks forward Lamont Murray and former Washington Wizards guard Mitchell Butler will play the National Basketball team and other big clubs in the country.

LIBERIA : Pythons whipped Uhuru Kings

NPA Pythons on Monday whipped Uhuru Kings 92-88 points in the grand final in a special basketball tournament intended to raise funds to do some minor renovation work at the Sports Commission as the country await some former NBA Stars that will be vising the country this week. The tournament brought together four of the country top basketball clubs. They include; Pythons, LPRC Oilers, Dream Team and Uhuru Kings. The tournament was organized by the Liberia Basketballl Federation.

by africabasket.com

GHANA : Dynasty All-Star Exhibition Game

Dynasty on the 14th of February valentines day organized a basketball all-star exhibition game at the Golden Sunbeam School one of the organisations club schools. The game was a right to dream initiative during the visit of its partners from the Alliowaattack basketball organisation in the USA. Their visit to Ghana was towards a basketball development project in collaboration with Right to Dream Sports Academy. Amongst the group was Jake who is a scout and the director of Alliowa Attack. With their interest to see the potential of young basketball talents in Ghana the game was organized. The game featured some of the nations best U18 young basketball prospects and they included Nana Yaw Sapon-Amoah (Aka Alimo), Papa Osei, Milad Auoad, Charles Fordjor, Osam Tawiah, Jeffrey Joseph Ola, kwame Danso, David Maja, and Baah Sekyere. The game was really exciting and intense even though most of them had not played any competitive games in a while. The game ended 52- 37. With Nana Yaw Sapon-Amoah scoring 25pts and Papa Osei scoring 15pts. The visitors where impressed and decided to follow up on Nana Yaw Sapon-Amoah who has been a young prospect through out his senior high school education in Presec Legon. Currently Nana Yaw Sapon-Amoah is on his way to the USA to train with the Alliowaattack and possibly gaining a scholarship to further his college education and basketball in the USA. Dynasty Basketball Association wishes him all the best and we will be praying this opportunity will open up more doors for him to realise his education and basketball dreams. We will be following up on his development in the USA and bring you the latest developments when it happens.

by africabasket.com

GHANA : ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI LTD SPONSORS ACHIMOTA SEN. HIGH SCHOOLS NEW BASKETBALL FACILITY

On Saturday 14th of March 2009 during the Achimota Senior High School founders day, the school commissioned its new ultra modern outdoor basketball facility which is equipped with two outdoor basketball courts, and sitting space. The facility was sponsored by ANGLOGOLD ASHANTI LTD and the 1959 Achimota senior high school year group. Also a total of fourty-two basketballs were donated to the school with fourty from a member of the old students association, and two from the contractor of the project. The new basketball court facility was commissioned by the Head mistress of the Achimota Senior High School and some members of the 1959 year group which included Dr. Kwame Addo-kuffour a former minister of defense of the republic of Ghana who played a major role in the building of the new basketball court facility. The Achimota old students association during the commissioning spoke of their decision to build a basketball court facility to help develop the sport of basketball in the school as well as improve the health of the students through sports. The building of the new basketball facility also happens to be in a year when the National Schools and Colleges sports festival will be organized in Accra. This years National Schools and Colleges sports festival will have basketball as one of its main events. The commissioning of the new basketball facility was crowned with a 10 minutes basketball match between the Team A and Team B of the Achimota Senior High School boys basketball team.

by africabasket.com

ZIMBABWE : National Team 2009

1.Eric Banda of JBC
2.Simba Mungomezi of Kingdom Cavaliers
3.Innocent Sithole of JBC
4.Simba Murahwa of CBZ Jewels
5.Tapiwa Mugunyana of CBZ Jewels
6.Artwell Dzikiti of JBC
7.Tinashe Muchenje of Varsity Leopards
8.Tafadzwa Mudzimu of Varsity Leopards
9.Tendai Chiyangwa of Varsity Leopards
10.Hamilton Mudawarima of Varsity Leopards
11.Gideon Chikopa of Varsity Leopards
12.Costa Dinha of Varsity Leopards
13.Taurayi Chitsinde of Sigauke
14.Tawanda Yanga Chitsinde of Sigauke
15.Baldwin Mazango of Kingdom Cavaliers
16.Mernard Masawi of Celtics
17.Costa Mashati of Highdon Raiderz
18.Erinos Katsaruware of Highdon Raiderz
19.Norest Shenje of Highdon Raiderz
20.Duncan Shenje of Highdon Raiderz
21.Tatenda Maturure
22.Tafirenyika Soko of Kingdom Cavaliers
23.Sam Parirayi (-G) of Kingdom Cavaliers
24. Clive
25.Thabani Matikiti of Kingdom Cavaliers
26.Tapiwa Madziya
27.Lloyd Muyanganira of El-Matthias Jammers
29.Walter Mabhena
30.Michael Banda (193-G-81) of CBZ Jewels

17 March 2009

GHANA : Hoops loose to Shepherds in Tema League


Cape Coast Hoops played one of their best game ever in the Tema League but yet went down to the Shepherds. The game which was full of fireworks from the beginning saw both sides playing excellent basketball. Spectators rooted for both sides as the pendulum changed from time to time. The first quarter ended 22-21 in favor of the boys from Cape Coast while the second quarter ended 35-39 in favor of Shepherds. The third quarter saw most of the Hoops top players in foul trouble and had to sit out. Two of the best offensive players foul out slowing down the attacking power the squad. Nonetheless, the other boys stood their grounds until the final whistle. The team which played man to man defense from the beginning where still confident that their game plans were working as most of the Shepherds players were held under four points. majority of their points came from veteran player Meme who visited the foul line more than ten times shooting a high percentage. At the end of the game some spectators claimed bad officiating but we think that we also should had taken every chance we had. Morale is still high among the boys as they know in the end they will be the ultimate winners of the league. Next Sunday is against Tema Youth which will bring the first round to an end. Expected to return in action is Alinko and Saheed who has return from their break in Nigeria. Hoops man of the match was K. Dewee who had a good game scoring ten points two boards and a steal follow by O. Azuazu who had eight points and eight rebounds three assists. Others in the line up included, J. Amu, P. Ashong, E. Maluta, D. Benjamin, H. Mensah, A. Ben Anas, K. Baffoe, J. Akpabio and returning to the team, Sunday Mahaja. Making his debut was Kelvin Yeboah.

from http://capecoasthoops.net/

GHANA : Hoops win over Tema Youths

Cape Coast Hoops is back to its winning form once again. Beating Tema Youths in a decisive match played Sunday at the Chinese Court, Kaiza Flats, Tema Community 4. The match was the final game in the first round. The second round starts this Sunday with both team meeting again. The game which was played in a fast paced form from the beginning was very exciting and entertaining. The lads from Tema were determine to win the game to have better standing in the league as they earlier lost a match as well. But the strong defense and swift attacking offence of the boys from the coast held them at bay majority of the game. Both team played man to man defense from the start of the game to the end, reducing many chances for both sides. Arriving back in the team line up after a long break in Nigeria were Alinko and Saheed who had just returned the day before from Nigeria after traveling for eighteen hours to get to Ghana. Though a little fatigue they were still instrumental in Hoops 35-32 win. Man of the match once again was O. Azuazu scoring ten points, four assist, three rebounds and a block. Alinko had seven points, three rebounds and two blocks. Other in the line up includes J. Amu, K. Baffoe, P. Ashong, B. Debrah, S. Oladipo, H. Mensah, J. Akpabio, K. Dewee, A. Anas and E. Maluta.

from http://capecoasthoops.net/

GHANA : Hoops defeat Buduburam Camp All-Stars 68-57


This has been the fourth time the two team has met and Hoops has been victorius on all occasion. This shows that perhaps there is no answer from the Camp team. The camp team which is comprising mainly of Liberians basketball
players at the beginning showed no match to the formations of the Hoops squad. At a time they were even down by twenty points. The match was mainly organize to test some new players who had joined the team recently as the team prepares
for up coming tournaments and Leagues both in Accra and Tema. Hoops is the defending champion of the Team basketball tournament and not letting her guide down the team is recruiting top players to defend its position in the Tema metropolis.
Players feature for this friendly were: P. Awuley(F-6'6"), O. Azuazu(F-6'5"), M. Jacob(G-6'0"), J. Francis(G-6'0"), K. Dewee(F-6'5"), J. Corneh(F-6'5"), A. Tetteh(G-6'4"), S. Boison(F-6'5") and S. Teah(G-6'4").

from http://capecoasthoops.net/

GHANA : Cape Coast Hoops conquers Tema Basketball


Ask any basketball player and those with knowledge of basketball in Ghana and they will tell you the best players are from Tema. It's no lie as the likes of Daniel Armah, Emmanuel Quaye aka. Rubberman and a host of others hail from that end. They have a good basketball program going there as well boasting of a few teams and the most dreaded of all, the Tema Youth Basketball Team. So hearing of a team coming from outside, not mentioning as far as from Cape Coast, to rule is unheard of. But its history in the making and the so needed change Ghanaians wanted is also moving in the basketball world as well. Yes, Hoops went and conquer. Beating the top three teams, namely, Vikers, Rakers and Tema Youth. It was a one day basketball gala, all play all. Hoops won their three matches against stiff opponents and spectators. Each match was a hard fought one as we were threading on hostile ground. But at the end of each game the lads, who run the coast, always came out victorious. The last game between Hoops and Rakers went into overtime. Upon the team return to Cape Coast with the trophy, the place was on fire as fans congratulated the boys for their achievement. many were pride that Cape Coast still is on top in basketball. Players representing Hoops in the tournament were, Henry Mensah(G-6'1"), Dominic Mensah(G-6'0"), Kojo Bafoe(G-6'4"), John Amoo(F-6'5"), Patrick Ashong(F-6'6"), Mensah Jones(F-6'5"), Alvin Owusu(G-6'1"), Winfred Kauam(F-6'7"), Anas Ben Anas(F-6'5"), Christopher Okpe(F-6'8"), Emeric Malouta(G-6'1") and John Corneh(F-6'5")

from http://capecoasthoops.net/

KENYA : New champs Chavakali clinch basketball title

By Peter Atsiaya and Joseph Ngure

Chavakali beat archrivals Vihiga High 85-45 to lift the Vihiga district schools basketball title at Eregi Teachers College at the weekend.
At the same time, schools from Nyanza province have converged at Maseno School for the secondary schools first term ‘A’ ballgames. Chavakali were too good for Vihiga, with Teddy Kakai, Lindi Lwane and Kevin Otako doing the damage.


Celestine Ogoma of Kisumu Girls is stopped by Joyce Akelo of St Teresas during the Kisumu West district schools basketball competetion at Kisumu Girls at the weekend. Photo: Titus Munala


Kakai scored 25 points for the winners while Jacob Limo and Robert Odhiambo netted 16 and 14 points for Vihiga. In the semi-finals, Chavakali beat Busali Union 85-11 while Vihiga edged out Mbale 81-40.

In the girls’ category, Moi Girls Vokoli beat hard-fighting Mudavadi, Madzuu 16-14 in a see-saw final match to win the title. In other matches, Vokoli beat Kegoye 38-13 while Madzuu beat Kegoye 41-10.

KENYA : Menengai win girls’ basketball diadem

By Ben Ahenda

Menengai High School are the Nakuru District secondary schools girls’ basketball champions.
They were crowned after defeating Nakuru Girls 24-23 in a tough match at Nakuru High School at the weekend.
The victory has given them a ticket to the three-day Rift Valley provincial games starting tomorrow.

In the semi-finals, Menengai dismissed Shiners Girls 49-10 while the losing finalists hit Mustard Seed 52-14.
In the play-offs, Shiners defeated Mustard Seed 17-16.

In Pool A matches, Menengai thrashed Christ the King Academy 46-6, hit Mustards Seed 32-14 and hammered Mama Ngina 53-4 to emerge tops.
In other matches, Mustard hit Mama Ngina 22-6, Christ The King Academy beat Mama Ngina 15-10, but went on to lose 14-4 to Mustard Seed.

Pool B results: Nakuru Girls 55 Afraha 15, Kirobon 15 Shiners Girls 29, AFraha 15 Shiners 36, Nakuru Girls 58 Kirobon 18, Afraha 7 Kirobon 32 and Nakuru Girls 51 Shiners 13.

In the boys’ basketball, Menengai won the trophy after hitting Nakuru Boys 37-33 in the final.

On their way up, Menengai dismantled Afraha High 36-23 while Nakuru Boys defeated Victonel Academy 49-36.
Afraha were third after they beat Victonel Academy 32-28 in the play-off.

In Pool A matches, Menengai hit Nakuru Boys 49-23, dismissed Kirobon 58-34, but lost to Victonel 29-32.
Nakuru Day lost 28-42 to Victonel and 36-46 to Kirobon while Kirobon hammered Victonel 40-38.

In Pool B, Nakuru Boys hit St Francis 57-10, Afraha beat Sacred Heart 25-13, Nakuru Boys defeated Sacred Heart 56-21, St Francis lost 11-42 to Afraha and Nakuru Boys won 33-31 against Afraha.

EGYPT : Egyptian Super league finals starts tonight

Three buttels will take place tonight in the 1st round of the super league finals .First buttle will be held in Cairo stadium Gezira Vs Itthad,they Just met three days ago and Itthad was able to win showing a great performance to send Gezira off the quarter cup finals.Second buttle will be held in Amir fisal court when Ahly faces Geish in a real hard buttle for both teams who will not accept any defeat in the first round.Third game will be held in Zamalek court who will be facing somouha this game could be an easy one for the undefeated Zamalek who lost only 2 games in the regular season,while Somouha is suffering since their head coach Sherif Azmy left the team last month heading to his second home Syria

NIGERIA : First Deepwater Coach looks beyond Nigeria league to target Continental ticket

Despite the non-activities that have bedeviled the Nigeria local scene with three months into the year, Coach of First Deepwater basketball club, Lateef Erinfolami is optimistic that his team will grab one of the continental tickets at the end of the women league.

Speaking with our correspondent shortly after the Oil and Gas outfit handed down an 84-65 points defeat of Dolphins basketball club in a warm-up game played last week at the Sports Hall of the Lagos National Stadium, the former Chief Coach of Delta Force basketball club is confident that the First Deepwater team would not be found wanting whenever the league jump-start.

The former Nigeria international says only a continental ticket would be good enough reciprocate all the support from club chairman, Engr. Babatunde Babalola.
“I am confident that we are capable of picking one of the two continental tickets and without sounding immodest I am not afraid of any team in the Nigerian league.
“We have the players to do the job especially with the great support we’ve continue to receive from our chairman and other management staff of the club we can go beyond the sky and not just to qualify for the continental championship alone but to also represent Nigeria very well.

The continue its build-up to the dunk-off date of the 2008/ 2009 season with great expectation as it has intensify its training which it conducted at the sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium.

By: Olusegun Ikuesan

FIBA Africa

TANZANIA : Zone Five Inter Cities-now Arusha all set for event

Arusha is now all set for the 11th edition of the Zone Five Inter Cities championships that throws off from next Tuesday.

Agina Wesonga, the Inter Cities executive officer Agina Wesonga, just back from the Tanzanian city for the third time this year, said that all is in place for the five day show that will be played in at least three venues.

He said that after inspecting the match venues, there is still some work to be done but he was convinced that all will be in place before the tournament gets underway on March 24.
"I am impressed with the progress and can assure you that the back boards will be done before this weekend and that the courts will definately be ready by next Tuesday when they championships starts." said Agina.

He said that so far there will be a total of ten men and four women's teams and that still more are expected.. Mogadishu and Harare have announced their travel plans and will be making their debuts in the show.
"The two will be there and we are still awaiting word from Johannesburg and Lusaka who had expressed interest in competing in Arusha." said Agina. The tourney has been mainly between East African cities from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

He revealed that the cities who will be sending men's teams are Mombasa, Mogadishu, Mwanza, Zanzibar, Harare, Tanga and Arusha. Kampala, Dar es Salaam and Mbeya will be sending both while Nairobi will be sending only women's side.
"With the kind of turn out that we already have, Arusha tournament could turn out to be the biggest in terms of attendance. We are looking forward to having a good and friendly championships." he noted.

The referees clinic to be conducted by Zone Five secretary general and international referee Vitalis Gode will be held for two days prior to the event tip off.

16 March 2009

KENYA : University basketballers on court


University of Nairobi's Ken Githinji (R) in action against Strathmore University during the University Kenya Basketball League at Cocacola National stadium on Sunday. Photo/DENNIS OKEYO

NIGERIA : Live returns to National Stadium as First Deepwater pipe Dolphins in friendly

The palpable quietness that has enveloped the indoor sports hall of the Lagos National Stadium was broken last Thursday as thousands fans trooped the nation top-most basketball arena to catch a glimpse of action in the friendly game between First Deepwater basketball club and Dolphin basketball club.

The test match between both sides witnessed a new beginning for the players and handlers who were on trial for the first time saw Dolphin drawing the first blood which drew cheers from the fans who has been deprived of top flight basketball actions in recent.

The coaches Lateef Erinfolami and Shola Ogunade tutored First Deepwater team rose to the challenge poised by the Wale Aboderin Dolphin ending the first quarter by 23-09 points.
The staggering first quarter score-line became the tonic the Dolphin ladies needed to wake up to the reality of being white-washed to pick the second quarter with a narrow margin of 14-12 points to end the first stanza at 35-23 points in favour of the Oil and Gas ladies who are the latest entrant to the Nigeria Women League.
Both tied the third quarter at 20 points apiece with First Deepwater ladies falling back on experience to take the game out of the reach of the more faster and enterprising Dolphin ladies to win the fourth quarter by 29-22 points to end the game at 84-65 points.
Chairman of First Deepwater basketball club, Engr. Babatunde Babalola praised his wards but urged them to be more proactive in subsequent tune-up games in order to be ready for the league.
He urged the team management to organized more friendly games for the side both at the local scene and neighbouring West Africa countries.

By: Olusegun Ikuesan

FIBA Africa

15 March 2009

RWANDA : Kigali still a doubt for Inter Cities

BY JULIUS MBARAGA

Kigali’s involvement in the 11th Zone 5 Inter Cities championships remains a doubt, Times Sport has learnt. Over fifteen cities have already confirmed participation in the championships slated for March 24-28 in Arusha.

However, Albert Mwanafunzi, an official in Kigali City Council yesterday revealed that the city had not received any formal invitation for the championship.
“We have not received any formal invitation for the championship,” he said.

Cities gearing up for the festival include Nairobi, Mombasa (Kenya), Kampala, Jinja, Entebbe (Uganda) Dar es Salaam, Mbeya Tanga, Mwanza (Tanzania), Zanzibar and the host Arusha.
Meanwhile, Mogadishu, Harare, Johannesburg and Lusaka are also set to make debut appearances in the event which has in the past been an East African affair.
Should all these cities turn up, this year’s championship will down as the most contested in the championship’s 10-year history.
With less than two weeks to the event, Agina Wesonga, the Inter Cities committee executive officer has told FIBA Africa that renovation work on the courts is winding up.
“The re-carpeting of the three courts has started and things are expected to move fast,” he said.

14 March 2009

KENYA : Langata face St George’s in basketball final

The reign of Buru Buru Girls in the Nairobi Secondary Schools Sports Association girls’ basketball abruptly came to an end on Saturday after they lost 31-53 to Langata High in a thrilling match at Hillcrest Secondary School.

Langata will now meet St. George’s, who overran St. Austin’s Academy 43-32 in the other semi-final.
Debutants Nairobi International School play St. Austin’s Academy in the boys’ final in what promises to be an entertaining match.

NIS convincingly defeated Jaffreys Academy 82-35, while St. Austin’s edged out regular compaigners Aquinas 83-66.

The boys’ hockey final will be between Nairobi School and Lenana in an old time rivalry.
Nairobi School beat Hillcrest Secondary 4-3 in penalty flicks after the teams battled to a barren draw in regulation and extra time.
Lenana cruised past a resurgent Pumwani 2-0 through goals by Kevin Kimani and Collins Mutai.

John Njoroge, the Lenana captain, predicts a tough final with their traditional rivals. “We are going for a win and the top spot,” he said.

Njoroge believes that Lenana’s strength lies in their team-work. It is the first time that the two teams will be meeting this season. Against a resurgent Pumwani, Lenana took time to settle before winning.
In the girls’ category, the dream match between Pangani and Hillcrest did not take place. The national champions were awarded a walkover a against Hillcrest Secondary. It means Pangani have not conceded a goal in the opening two rounds.

Provincial title

Angela Kerubo, the Pangani Girls’ captain, credits coach James Akweri for the fine run. Zanetta Musimbi is a pillar of strength in defence while top scorer Laura Gichau has had a good run.
“Sometimes, we wait too long to study the opponents,” she explained.
Hillcrest Secondary captain, Leona Leipold, is keen to retain the provincial title and qualify for the national championship in Embu next month. She added that the top four teams were competitive.
“We had a tough match today against St. George’s today. They are quite good at stopping and mobile,” Leipold said.

National team player, Dorsillah Agunda, who coaches Hillcrest Secondary, credits their good run to the top four to competing in three leagues - Nairobi Province, International Schools under British and American systems.

Quinter Anyango, the St. George’s captain is bubbling confidence as they enter the final phase. “It is tough at the top.

Obviously our best match to date was a barren draw against Hillcrest today. We consider it a win,” she said.

TANZANIA : JKT teams crowned new basketball champions

JKT dethroned Vijana ‘City Bulls’ to win the Kili RBA basketball League with a 68-53 victory in a seesaw men’s final match at the Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam today. The army men started with real intent to clinch the title. At half time JKT were leading 34-25.

JKT’s Juma Kisoky was unstoppable. He netted 24 points, while his team mate Himid Choka managed 11 points. Vijana’s notable scorers were Sudi Abdulrazak and Jacob Kalenga who netted 17 and 15 points alone.

Earlier, their sisters JKT Stars was crowned the new Kili RBA Ladies champions, after defeating Lady Lions 58-38 in a final match at the same venue today. Both teams started strongly in search for quick opening points. However, it was JKT who were much into the lime light.

They took a 31-15 lead at the half time. Doritha Mbunda scored 20 points, while her team mate Lulu Joseph managed 18 points. Lady Lions notable scorers were Sajda Ahmed and Nina Mliga, who scored 11 and nine points respectively. Jeshi Stars settled third in the league after defeating Cargo Ladies 73-61 in the third play off match, while Savio finished third in men’s who thrashed Tanzania Prisons 79-58.

TANZANIA : TBF unable to pay import duty

By Renatha Msungu

Tanzania Basketball Federation is in search of funds to meet import duty payment of 210 basketballs kindly donated by the world governing body, FIBA.

The balls are being held at customs at the Julius Nyerere International Airport as TBF has so far failed to raise one million shillings to pay for the import duty charges.

TBF’s secretary general Lawrence Cheyo said his body is broke to meet charges and he is worried of imminent demurrage charges that might pile up.

Cheyo has made a call to whoever is capable to bail out the body for timely release of the balls. FIBA has donated the balls to be distributed countrywide as a move to promote the game.

Meanwhile, Cheyo has insisted for more teams to register for the national basketball championships set for next month in Dar es Salaam.

So far several teams have expressed their intention to compete in the tourney, including Savio, Cargo Ladies, Don Bosco and other teams from Mwanza, Shinyanga, Dodoma, Morogoro, Mbeya and Arusha.

TANZANIA : Vijana,JKT for RBA final today

By Suleiman Jongo

Former East and Central African champions, Vijana, clash against their archrivals JKT today in the Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball Kili league final at the indoor stadium.
Vijana booked a place in the final after defeating Savio in three matches of their semi final. On the other hand, JKT mauled Tanzania Prisons in two straight victories to sail through to the final.

Other teams which featured in the league were; Oilers, ABC, UDSM, PT Stars, Pazi, Crows and Hoop Life (men). Women teams were Jeshi Stars, JKT Stars, Don Bosco Lady Lions and Cargo Ladies.

GABON : Championship of League (Season 2008 - 2009)

League of Basketball of the Estuary (LI.BAB.E)
The first day of the League championship reserved us two surprises this Wednesday 4 March, to the Gymnasium President Bongo.
Promoted to him, RANGERS (champion in League 2M) made fall TOUNGUI BB (retiring champion in League 1M). AO BB (qualified to the Play off 08) is undone himself with difficulty of NDZIMBA (6th the Last year). The ever seen!
Indeed, the determination of the young team of NZENG AYONG ended up triumphing over the too big insurance of team members of the international Cameroonian BOULI that thought to make of a gulp their adversaries of the day, correctly clothed for the circumstance. Only bad note of this meeting, the unstitched game on all sides where visibly in end of part coach had difficulty making the excited players pass the message to the big more passive referee that active in this indescribable mess.
Before, in first hour, the some spectators having made the displacement of the gymnasium had right to a drab enough meeting between a team of AO BB, in full reconstruction that didn't convince and NDZIMBA that was determined to more to let make itself this year with an organization sustained by students of the UOB themselves. Without qualified coach will they go farther?
We will know it since the second day of this senior championship masculine of the LIBABE where is foreseen the entrance in lice of ANGES ABC OF THE ESTUARY, of BLACK STAR BB and of SOMO B. The public is invited to follow these confrontations the Wednesday 11 March 2009 from 16h therefore.
1 - Results of meetings of the 1st day
Wednesday 4 March 2009: 16H00 ' ANGES ABC OF THE ESTUARY / SOMO B: Reported 18H00 ' AO BB / NDZIMBA: 36 / 34; 20H00' TOUNGUI BB / RANGERS: 57 / 53
2 - Ordering to the exit of the 1st day
1st: RANGERS' 2 pts (+4) ; 2nd: AO BB' 2 pts (+2) ; 3rd: NDZIMBA' 1 pt (-2) ; 4th:TOUNGUI BB' 1 pt (-4) ; 5th: ANGES ABC OF THE ESTUAIRE' 0 pt ; 6th: BLACK STAR' 0 pt
7th: SOMO B' 0 point
NB: ANGES ABC OF THE ESTUARY, BLACK STAR BB and SOMO BS didn't play again
3 - Program of the 2nd day
Wednesday March 2009: 16H00 ' NDZIMBA / SOMO B; 18H00 ' ANGES ABC OF THE ESTUARY / BLACK STAR BB ; 20H00 ' AO BB / TOUNGUI BB

ZIMBABWE : Gauke bounce Leopards.....!

In an 'A' league game played between HBA defending champions and upstarts Sigauke, Varsity Leopards went down 48-67. Sigauke came out of the blocks on fire and led by Taurayi Chitsinde out-played and out-hassled Varsity Leopards. Gauke raced to a 16-12 lead in the first quarter extending this to 30-22 at the half. The expected 3rd quarter comeback by Varsity Leopards never materialised and they lost 13-16 in that quarter to enter the fourth quarter down 35-46. In the fourth quarter Sigauke turned on the pressure winning that quarter 21-14 for a final score of 67-48. With this loss Varsity Leopards will need to win all their remaining games and hope 1 other team and themselves beat JBC if they hope to retain their league championship. leopards defense was exposed by Tawanda 'Yanga' Chitsinde who slashed through the Varsity Leopards defence at will, either scoring on lay-ups or dumping to Baldwin 'Bodza' Mazango. But the man who overpowered Varsity Leopards was Tawanda's brother Taurayi Chitsinde who top-scored with 14 points. Tawanda and Mazango each had 12 points for Sigauke. Varsity Leopards battled all night and point guard Tafadzwa 'Bully' Mudzimu triad to rally his team to no avail. Varsity Leopards pair of Clement Chitura and Hamilton Mudawarima led their team with 10 points apiece. The suffocating Sigauke defence helped stem a free scoring Varsity Leopards team who had to work for every point they scored. Varsity Leopards cause was not helped by injuries to Tinashe 'Voltron' Muchenje and Tendai 'Tindo' Chiyangwa. The curtains went down on Varsity Leopards when key player Hamilton Mudawarima pulled up with cramp and captain Gideon Chikopa was disqualified for an unsportsmanlike foul. After that it was pretty much one way traffic to the Varsity Leopards basket.

Highdon Raiderz stamped their authority when they brushed aside team-of-the-moment Kingdom Cavaliers 77-65. The score line could have been much worse had Highdon Raiderz not opted to give their youngsters a burn after they went up 26 points. Cavaliers were never in it and played as if they should have been somewhere else. Highdon Raiderz were focused and hungry and this clearly showed in the manner they went after each and every loose ball. Highdon Raiderz Tafadzwa Maturure top scored with 19 points via a variety of shots. He had a lot of help from Clement Kufeketa, Duncan Shenje and Wellington Kasosera who shot the 3-ball with deadly accuracy. Coach Ngoni Mukukula decision to bring back his players from 'loan spells' seems to be working.

by Roderick Takawira africabasket.com

EGYPT : Who will be in the semifinal gezira or itthad


A very strong action game will start tonight 5:00 pm at Cairo international stadium between Al Gezira as a home team and Al Ittihad Alexandria as away team in the pre semi final game the winner will go directly to the semi final , this game was posponed for more than a month ago as Al Ittihad Alexandria was participating in Dubai international tournament , the very funny thing that after this game the two teams will face each other again on the same arena after on three days on Tuesday in the first game of the final league , Al Ittihad Alexandria had made some trial to amend the time of todays game as the club soccer team also had a game at the same time in another city but all trials went to faliure

KENYA : Photo


St Austin’s Kevin Dellew (centre) goes for a point as Peter Wamburu (left) and Maina Makumi of Strathmore attempt to block during a semi-final match. Austin’s won 62-26. Picture: Tabitha Otwori/Standard

TANZANIA : Zone five inter cities, now Mogadishu confirms entry

Mogadishu yesterday announced that they will be going for their first ever Inter Cities championships that throws off in Arusha, Tanzania in under two weeks.

According to Inter Cities executive officer Agina Wesonga, Mogadishu, the Somali capital city will fly to Nairobi before taking on to the road to the Tanzanian city for their first tournament.

They join Harare, Johannesburg and Lusaka who will also be making their maiden appearance in a festival that has been played mainly between East African cities from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.

The championship that throws off on March 24-28 looks like it will have the largest number of participants ever in its 10 years history.

Apart from Nairobi , Mombasa and the host Arusha, others teams that are headed for the festival are Kampala , Jinja, Entebee ( Uganda ) Dar es Salaam , Mbeya, Mwanza and Tanga ( Tanzania ) and Zanzibar will be there.

13 March 2009

UGANDA : Falcons ready to reclaim trophy

by Sande Bashaija
Kampala

Falcons have not made any significant signing in the offseason but club patron John Ssimbwa is confident his side can wrestle the National Basketball League championship from Sadolin Power this year.

Power, who defeated Falcons 3-1 in the best of five final series enroute to lifting the title last year, have signed the country’s best stars including former two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick and his brother Donald.

The three-time champions have also added rugby star Allan Musoke to their ranks and hope to defend their trophy.

In contrast, Falcons are sticking to their policy of grooming youngsters even when they have to compete with a star-studded Power side. “We won’t change the way we have been doing things.

We have added a few youngsters in the side, who we hope to bank on to challenge for honours,” Ssimbwa said. “I like the way Power has been hyped because that can only make the league better,” added Ssimbwa.

Well known for making great comebacks, Falcons found themselves trailing Power 1-2 in last year’s finals, but couldn’t recover from the deficit. “Our team is good enough and can beat anybody in Uganda.

We just have to step up our game because no one will step up for us. If you look at our history, you realize that Falcons can always recover and reclaim the championship.”

Sserunyigo out
Falcons, with six championships to their name, have meanwhile lost Rogers Sserunyigo and Jackson Kikonyogo to KCC Lions but won’t make any additions.

There were reports that Brian Ssentongo would quit Falcons for Miracle Eagles but Ssimbwa said the centre player has opted to stay.
“There were some few issues concerning Brian’s situation but everything has been sorted out,” Ssimbwa noted.

Elsewhere, Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) has set March 30 as the deadline for registration of all clubs intending to take part in this year’s league.
League kick off has also been pushed forward from later this month to April 17.

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