Basketball in Africa

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.