Basketball in Africa

Alliance High School romped back to the national basketball finals after beating Nyeri High School to end a two-year duck.

Forward Kevin Gichohi Maina put in a most valuable player performance in the final top scoring with 18 points as Alliance beat their bitter rivals 56-48 in the Central province finals.

They clinched the victory despite a determined fightback by Nyeri High in the third quarter which was led by their star player, Raymond Wanjohi.

Alliance High School opened a comfortable lead in the first quarter on the back of superb performances by Gichohi, Samuel Mogoko and the dangerous Pascal Nabwana.

The game was effectively clinched by a powerful fourth quarter performance as Alliance avenged consecutive defeats to Nyeri High in the last two years.

Nyeri had beaten traditional giants Mangu 45-37 in the semi-finals while Alliance overcame St Mary’s school from Nyeri 66-21.

Alliance coach Nicholas Ndege told the Nation his team was now focused on clinching the national title.
“I am glad my boys retained focus and were strong enough to claim victory. This was especially admirable because the whole team was deflated last year after being eliminated in extra time although we will not be complacent but will focus on the battle ahead,” he said.

In girls’ basketball, Alliance Girls beat Heights School from Thika 41-35 to earn a ticket to the nationals.

Sylvia Morangi and Mollet Achieng’ were the toast for Alliance Girls while Joyce Maina starred for Heights. Alliance Girls coach Joe Bwaka credited his team’s win to hard work but said bigger challenges lie ahead.

KANO (National female league) - Customs basketball ladies defeated their Immigration counterparts on Sunday in the Zenith Bank League and thumped their chests as they say the win was to mark their return process into the big league. Customs coach in the competition holding in Kano, Abba ‘Jagu’ Mohammed said the win was significant as the management of the team is working round the clock to return the team to the top where they used to be through the 1990s and into this decade.

“As you know the female league was all about Customs and First Bank because of the hot rivalry between both sides until things took sudden down turn for us and these new teams took over. But if you watch the trend of things now it is no longer business as usual. You will notice that even in the games we have lost here in Kano, our opponents worked extra hard to beat us. I believe by the time we get into the second phase we would have gotten the right rhythm to takes us back to where we truly belong. We belong to the top two and nothing less and that where we are aiming at. We are doing our best to encourage our management to back us to the fullest this season and in future,” Mohammed said.

The win was the third for Customs having beaten FCT Angels and walking over Dolphins in the process.

In the first match of Monday, AHIP Queens of Kano defeated FCT Angels 75-49 while the second match between Sunshine Angles and Immigration ladies ended 70-34 in favour of Sunshine. The Sunshine girls took charge from the jump ball winning all quarters and leading from the start to the buzzer.

The highlight of Tuesday competition will be the match between First Bank and Sunshine girls. That will be the last match of the day but before that clash, the jump ball will be taken between Deepwater and Immigration in a game experts have already voted in favour of Deepwater. Delta Force will face AHIP in the second match of the day while the next match will be between Plateau Rocks and FCT.

The competition will round off on Thursday as they get ready for the next phase in Asaba.

By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa

NAIROBI (Inter Cities) - It was the same old story as Nairobi women and Mombasa men's teams retained the 12th edition of the Sprite East and Central Africa Inter Cities titles in style as the nine team tournament came to a close in the Kenyan coastal town over the weekend.

In the final matches played before packed hall, Nairobi proved too smart for Mombasa whipping them 59-40 in the women's finals that was close only in the first half. In the men's category, Mombasa did well to beat Dar es Salaam 52-41 in a low scoring but hard fought game. Both teams battled it out in Arusha finals last year with Mombasa squeezing out a close 63-61 advantage.

Nairobi.....59 Mombasa......40

Nairobi got off to a bright start as Anastacia Njeri fed captain Caroline "Manjeng" Achieng inside for an easy basket. Angela Okoth made it 4-0, Hilda Indasi and Njeri then scored as Nairobi got off running to a 8-0 cushion before Mombasa had hit the target. And it was Yvonne Akinyi made the hosts opener. Nairobi were up 17-12 in the first quarter. In the second quarter Okoth picked a rebound and went on a coast to coast drive making the tally 21-13 and the winners went to the break leading 27-21.

After resumption, the tireless Indasi then took over completing a three point play and then swishing a three pointer for a 36-23 edge before Emma Nyakweba beat the bvuzzer at the end of teh third quarter for a 47-42 advantage. Nairobi was unstoppable as they maintained a strong 20 points cushion all the way answering every basket Mombasa made with deadly arrogance.

Indasi named MVP led the rout with 16 points, Okoth and Njeri connected for 10 each while Grace "Gus" Wanjiku, named best defensive players never stopped working and was the revelation of the tournament with her buzzing display all over the court. For Mombasa, Irene Murambi and Millicent Anyango combined for the teams 19 points haul.

Kampala had 15 points from Nassuna Sarah as they won 56-38 over Dar to finsh third. A dissapointing Dar had 11 points from Faraja Malaika. Mombasa Select side was fifth and gave as good account of themselves.

Mombasa.... 52 Dar........41

The young Mombasa lads posed all sorts of problems for Dar who hit the game opener on a three pointer by Francis Malewa but when Dan Okwirri gave the coastal lads a 8-7 lead , the much experienced Dar trailed the rest of the way. Mombasa were ahead 13-11 in the first quarter. In the second, Okwirri made a three for 36-28 lead while Zadock Osogo turned the game around with four points as Mombasa sailed away 50-38.

Osogo, declared the finals MVP had provided 12 points while the stylish Okwirri added 14. Dar's Mulewa got the best defensive player award and veteran center George Tarimo was named the events top scorer. Mom,bnasa Select beat Mwanza to end up in third position. Kelvin Ominde scored 19 points but it was Mwanza's Adam Jagame who led with 28 points.

In their penultimate matches, Nairobi rolled over Dar es Salaam 69-42 pulling up the strings in the first half to win with consumate ease. Indasi nailed an opening three as Nairobi took over. She nailed 12 points while Irene Makori bagged 12. For Dar. Amina Ahmed was the toast with 10 points and Faraja Malaika made nine.

The game saw four sisters share the courts with Janet and Angela Okoth for Nairobi while the Tanzanians girls, Sajda, a student in a Nairobi university playing against her sibling Amina who led the losers in scoring.

A last gasp three pointer at the buzzer by Francis Malewa saw Dar come from behind to stun Mombasa City 50-48 in a cracking game. It seemed the host would carry the day until a stunner by Malewa deflated the home fans. Dar topped the mens pool and while Mombasa were second.

Kampala City had to use every trick in the book before prevailing 53-52 against Mombasa Select girls. The losers Purity Adhiambo nailed tournament high 30 points, she was the events top scorer, while the winners had 14 points a piece from Mariam Hamalla, Annete Nakiwa and Sorigi Martha

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Nairobi women and Mombasa men's teams retained the 12th edition of the Sprite East and Central Africa Inter Cities titles in style as the nine team tournament comes to a close in the Kenyan coastal town over the weekend.

In the final matches played before packed hall, Nairobi proved too smart for Mombasa whipping them 59-40 in the women's finals that was close only in the first half. Hilda Indasi was named the MVP and she provided 16 points. Grace Wanjiru was named best defensive player.
In the men's category, Mombasa did well to beat Dar es Salaam 52-41 in a low scoring but hard fought game. Both teams battled it out in Arusha finals last year with Mombasa squeezing out a close 63-61 advantage.

The men's title belonged to the young Mombasa lads who posed all sorts of problems for Dar who hit the game opener on a three pointer by Francis Malewa but when Dan Okwirri gave the coastal lads a 8-7 lead.

Zadock Osogo, declared the finals MVP had provided 12 points while the stylish Okwirri added 14. Dar's Mulewa got the best defensive player award and veteran center George Tarimo was named the events top scorer. Mombasa Select beat Mwanza to end up in third position. Kelvin Ominde scored 19 points but it was Mwanza's Adam Jagame who led with 28 points

In other matches, Nairobi rolled over Dar es Salaam 69-42 pulling up the strings in the first half to win with consumate ease. The game saw four sisters share the courts with Janet and Angela Okoth for Nairobi while the Tanzanians girls, Sajda, a student in a Nairobi university playing against her sibling Amina who led the losers in scoring.

A last gasp three pointer at the buzzer by Francis Malewa saw Dar come from behind to stun Mombasa City 50-48 in a cracking game. It seemed the host would carry the day until a stunner by Malewa deflated the home fans. Dar topped the mens pool and while Mombasa were second.

Kampala City had to use every trick in the book before prevailing 53-52 against Mombasa Select girls. The losers Purity Adhiambo nailed tournament high 30 points, she was the events top scorer, while the winners had 14 points a piece from Mariam Hamalla, Annete Nakiwa and Sorigi Martha.

OUSTANDINGS

WOMEN

NAIROBI 8 pts
MOMBASA CITY 7 pts
DAR 5 pts
KAMPALA 4 pts
MOMBASA SELECT 4 pts

MEN

MOMBASA CITY 6 pts
MOMBASA CITY 5 pts
MOMBASA SELECT 4 pts
MWANZA 3 pts

Dann Owere

Suleiman Jongo, Mombasa,

Mwanza Boys and the Dream Team (women) slumped to painful defeats in their Wednesday's Intercity Basketball Championship taking place in Mombasa, Kenya.
Mwanza lost 56-43 at the hands of the defending champions, Mombasa City while Mombasa City (women) demolished the Dream Team 62-47 in their .
Cheered on by hordes of fans who thronged the KPA venue , Mombasa City reduced the Mwanza lads to novices.
The holders started the game at a high tempo with their towering shooters scoring with ease. They were leading 17-5 until the end of first quarter.
Mwanza then came into the game, pressing their opponents in a bid to level the score and managed to post a slim 26-22 half time lead.
In the third quarter, Mwanza fought relentlessly to maintain their lead, but were outsmarted by the home side who recaptured the lead with 42-34 points.
Mwanza led by their inspirational player, Mohammed Ally alias Dibo regained their poise in early minutes of the final quarter, but lost steam and allowed Mombasa bag 14 more points.
The reigning champions have now recorded two victories having breezed past their city rivals, Mombasa Pwani 69-42 on Wednesday morning.
The highly touted Dar es Salaam women's team, the Dream Team were in a disappointing form after being clobbered 62-47 by Mombasa City.
Mombasa City (women) have also won two games. They pulverised Kampala City Council (KCC) 57-41 in their Tuesday's opening match.
The game started lively with both sides making sporadic attacks and went to the first quarter tied at 9-all.
However, the second quarter saw the home side stepping up their gear to lead 20-18 until the breather.
The Dream Team, who thumped Mombasa Select 62-53 in their opening game, lost composure to allow their opponents outdo them in the remaining quarters.
Jabu Shaban, who bagged 23 points, was the Dream Team's top scorer, but her sparkling display could not help matters.
The Dream Team (men) got their title bid o a flier after beating Mombasa Select 61-49. They were yesterday set to play wounded Mwanza Boys.
The reigning champions in the women's category, Nairobi won their match against Mombasa Select by 69-42.

After Wednesday's games, Mombasa City are leading the men's pool with four points followed by Dar es Salaam, Mombasa Select (two points apiece) and Mwanza (one point).
Mombasa City lead the women's teams with four points followed by Dar es Salaam (3), Nairobi and Mombasa Select (2 each) while Kampala have one point.

Only four men's sides battle it out in the tournament, which qualifies them automatically to the semifinals.

Al-Hilal conquer Top-4 after Day 2 as the team won two games in a row. At first on March 24th the team overcame Alshabab 73:64. It was a tough start and the teams nailed 17 points each and even Alshabab took 36:31 at the halftime. Al-Hilal played much better in the second half and reached the win. On March 25th they outscored Ahli Benghazi 66:52 to take 2-0 record. The last games will be played on March 27th.

Any Falcons fan reading this will most likely shed tears.

Barely a month after falling out with Stephen Omony over nonpayment of wages, the MTN-Fuba League former champions have lost their best and arguably most consistent players – the Malinga brothers Henry and Eric.

And sadly for Falcons, the Malingas have crossed to league defending champions Warriors, a team seemingly harbouring ambitions of achieving what every other Ugandan club have failed to do. “After our achievements last season, we set very high targets for ourselves this term,” Warriors patron Ambrose Tashobya said yesterday while unveiling the Malingas alongside experienced guard Pascal Alule, who was acquired from KIU Titans.
“To hit our targets, we decided to look out for new talents. Hopefully these players are good enough to take us to new heights.”

Money details
Although refusing to reveal the amount of money spent on the trio, Tashobya, the sole sponsor of Warriors, revealed he was determined to build his side into African beaters.

“We are trying to invest as much as we can to develop this team. We’ll continue putting in a lot of money until we are sure that Warriors can compete in Africa,” he said during the unveiling held at Rock Gardens, Kampala. Despite overpowering DMark Power to take the league title, Warriors represented but failed to record a win at the Fiba Africa Zone 5 Championship held last December in Kigali.

“We learnt many lessons in Kigali. We were exposed due to lack of maturity and these players will help us address that,” Tashobya, who is also the Fuba president, said. “We want to make an impression on the continent.”
The Malinga brothers left Warriors to join Falcons in 2001, inspiring them to three league titles, the last one coming in 2007 and the East and Central Club Championship.

Falcons have, however, struggled in the past two years and the departure of the duo leaves them in shambles. “I think I gave Falcons my best and don’t feel guilty at all,” Eric, who has been the Falcons captain, said.

By Suleiman Jongo, Mombasa,

Dar es Salaam's teams got the Intercity Basketball Championship off to a flier after winning their Tuesday's opening matches at KPA courts in Mombasa, Kenya.
George Tarimo scored 14 points and took six offensive, and eight defensive rebounds to guide the men's team into a 61-49 demolition of Mombasa Pwani.
Pwani enjoyed an electric home atmosphere, but paid the price for their inexperience in high profile games. The team comprised youthful players.
With Tarimo and Francis Mlelwa troubling Pwani shot blockers, the Dar es Salaam team dubbed Dream Team finished the first quarter leading 18-16.
Tarimo had one steal and four blocks while Mlewa notched nine points with one defensive and offensive rebounds.
Second quarter saw the Dream Team change tactics and preferred long passes that cushioned their lead to 30-25.
The home team poured forward in a bid to level the score, but exposed themselves defensively to gift the Dream Team quick points.
Until the end of the third quarter, the Dream Team were leading 47-41.
Mwalimu Henry, a Tanzanian born player who trades his skills for Vijana City Bulls, emerged the top scorer for Mombasa Pwani after hitting 11 points.
"They are still young, but displayed mercurial performances...they denied us many chances to kill the game off, we were uncertain of the victory until the forth quarter," said the Dream Team's coach Bahati Mgunda.

The women's side also known as the Dream Team fought hard to post a 62-53 win over Mombasa Pwani at the same venue.
Led by Jabu Shaaban, who netted 12 points, the Dream Team were leading 18-14 in the first quarter and increased their the lead to 36-26 in the second quarter.
The home team refused to be dominated, but failed to down the Dream Team due to their over-reliance on Purity Odhiambo.
Odhimbo posed a constant threat to the Dream Team and garnered 15 points for her team.

In another pairing, Mombasa City (women) outsmarted their Kampala City Council (KCC) rivals 57-41.
This is the third time for Mombasa to host the regional event, which is now taking place for the 12th time.
Arusha hosted last year's tournament that saw Mombasa (men) claim the title at the expense of Dar es Salaam while Nairobi Queens, who arrived here on Tuesday, won the title.

Mombasa Pwani were yesterday expected to pit their wits against the defending champions, Nairobi while Mombasa City had a date with Mwanza.
Mombasa City (women) were to take on the Dream Team while Mombasa Pwani (men) were facing Mombasa City in the evening.

Today, Dar (men) clash with Mwanza, Kampala lock horn with Nairobi ( ladies) while Mwanza will play Mombasa Pwani (men).

ABUJA (2011 Afrobasket for Men) – Even as most Nigerian basketball stakeholders are still in pains over the failure of the country to win the hosting right for the 2011 Africa Nations basketball Championship, former D’Tigers star player Skambo Morrison has said Nigeria is not qualified to host the 2011 Championship.

Last Saturday, Africa basketball ruling body FIBA Africa awarded the hosting rights to Cote d’Ivoire after the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) was said to have pulled out of the race citing the recent dissolution of the federal cabinet as one of the reasons for their withdrawal.

Nigeria was unable to provide financial guarantees in the amount of €1.5million which FIBA Africa demanded from all countries bidding for the right to host the tournament.

Speaking to Trustsports on Tuesday in Abuja, former basketball star Skambo said Nigeria had nothing on the ground to warrant bidding for such a major championship. He said it is a pity that, while a country like Angola is thinking of hosting the whole world, Nigeria – which claims to be the giant of Africa – could not clinch the hosting right for a continental championship.

Skambo, who once captained the Nigerian junior national team before he went on to feature prominently in the senior national team, said the country lacks the necessary facilities for hosting such a competition and maintained that even for the poorly-organised national league in the country, there are no adequate facilities.

“We do not qualify to even bid to host the continental championship,” he said.

“Even if we were awarded the hosting right, where are the facilities? We are talking about a continental championship that requires modern facilities. Apart from Nestle Milo and Ahmadu Bello University which have wooden basketball floors, where else can we find such facilities?”

He said that successive leaderships of the Nigeria Basketball Federation did not do anything in terms of developing the facilities which would make it easy for the country to be awarded such a hosting right.

The former international therefore urged the present leadership of the NBBF to leave a lasting legacy by ensuring that ultra-modern basketball facilities are constructed across the country.

“If we insist that we deserve the hosting right for the 2011 Africa Championship, let us ask salient questions and be sincere with ourselves,” he added.

“Where are the facilities? Do we have enough wooden basketball courts? What about ultra-modern projectors and cameras? Does it mean we wanted to just collect the hosting right and then embark on another fire brigade exercise?”

Skambo who is now a national game commissioner stressed that the time to begin preparation for another bid is now and it should start with provision of the necessary facilities.

“Let us humble ourselves and begin preparations in earnest. If we want to host future championships, we must start building the needed facilities now”.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa

Reigning champions of FIBA Africa Zone III First Deepwater defeated First Bank 63-61 on Wednesday in the first phase of the 2009/2010 Nigeria Basketball Federation-organised Zenith Women Premier League in the city of Kano.

The game watched by a capacity crowd that thronged the sports hall of the Sani Abacha stadium in Kofa-Mata, Kano was the climax of the two-day programme of the Nigeria women league.

First Bank head coach Adewumi Aderemi, who had said earlier in the year that his side would not drop a game en route to its clinching a 10th straight title, was proved wrong as the First Deepwater girls took control of the game in the third quarter and never looked back.

The defeat for First Bank was the second in six months against the Nigeria and Africa champions. They fell to Lateef Erinfolami’s charges 80-72 in the last leg of the league in Lagos last October.

First Deepwater led 50-47 going into the final quarter and held on to take the significant win.

Meanwhile, Sunshine Angels of Akure defeated Plateau Rocks 46-13 on Tuesday and followed that up with a 60-40 win over high-flying Delta Force of Asaba on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, Customs did just enough to beat FCT Angels 63-60 on Tuesday, but failed to carry that momentum over as they were crushed 62-39 by AHIP of Kano. Nigeria Immigration ladies were surprise winners over FCT Angels with a 71-36 demolition.

In Thursday’s games, Immigration will be first out on the court as they go up against Plateau Rocks in the morning. Sunshine Angels will then face First Deepwater, followed by Customs and Delta Force. The day’s play will end with First Bank taking on FCT Angels. AHIP Queens get a break due to the absence of Dolphins from this first stage.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa

Reigning champions Nairobi women and Mombasa men posted wins as the 12th edition of the East and Central Africa Inter Cities championships tipped off in Mombasa with nine team on card.

Nairobi led by national team stars Anastasia Njeri, Caroline Achieng, Angela Okoth and Eleanor Musundi were too much for the Mombasa Select side winning 70-29 after a slow start that saw them miss easy points.

Njeri led the winners with 10 points while Okoth and Musundi combined for another 16 points tallly. Lulu Ohanga and Purity Adhiambo showed the way for the losers with nine and eight point respectively.

Mombasa City men on the other side had many players who won the event in Arusha last year missing from their line up but still had Dan Okwirri and Salim Ali to thank as they went past home rivals Mombasa Select 69-42.

Playing before their home fans, Mombasa City had 14 points from Okwirri in a closely fought 56043 win over Mwanza who had 11 points from Timotheo Ngambo.

George Tarimo scored 18 points as he led Dar to a 61-48 dismiss of Mombasa Select. The home boys, who hasyet towin a game wee led by Steve Odhiamboi and Mwalimu Heri who nailed 12 points a piece.

Dar es Salaam gave Mombasa City all the problems in the first three quarters but collapsed as Mwajuma Suleiman and Yvonne Akinyi started to exter presure in the last quarter as they broke open a close game and posted a 62-47 win.

Akinyi led the winners with but the toast was Dar star Jabau Shaban who tossed in 23 points that included long range three points that cut Mombasa lead as they threatened to sail away.

But Dar recovered to post a 62-53 win over Mombasa Selecxt behind 18 points from Amina Ahmed while Purity Adhiambo bagged 19 points to pep Phillip Onyango's national school championships bound girls.

"These girls are here to gain all the necessary exposure. By the time the games starts in Nairoibi in a few weeks time, tell me if there is anyone team in Kenya that will stop them." noted record breaking and succesful school tactician.

Kampala City, the 2006 hosts started their quest on a losing note when they were handed a 57-41 win by Mombasa City. Millicent Anyango scored 14 points that included three-three pointers while Akinyi recorded nine.

The five day tournament has brought together teams from Mombasa (four), Dar (two), Nairobi, Kampala and Mwanza. Others like Harare, Mogadishu, Arusha and Tanga failed to show up as were Mbeya and Lusaka who had confirmed they would make the trip to the Kenyan coastal city.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Hoops this weekend was in action in the last basketball gala before the league resumes. Teams have been using these games to test new players and playing strategies. From the level of plays and players shows just how cracking this year's will be. Tems in the gala included Tema Youth, Magic, Ashiama Lions, Panthers and Hoops. Below are some of the results from the gala:

Lions 27 32 Magic
Hoops 55 35 Panthers
Lions 27 45 Tema Youth
Magic 50 35 Panthers
Hoops 64 32 Lions
Panthers 41 32 Tema Youth
Hoops 26 15 Magic

Ahli Benghazi, Alshabab, Al-Nasser and Al-Hilal advanced to Top 4 of the League. All of them will play with each other starting from March 25th. Ahli Benghazi as a reminder won the Regular Season with 12-2 record. Alshabab and Al-Nasser finished with 10-4 record on the second and third places, while Al-Hilal is fourth with 8-6 record.
On March 25th Hilal will face Shabab, while Ahli Benghazi will take on Nasr.

The former Coordinator of the Invincible Eleven Basketball Team, Emmanuel Taylor has pledged his support to NIC boss, Dr. Richard Tolbert and his team of contestants to take over the affairs if IE. Mr. Taylor believes that the current composition of men who are vying for the leadership of the Invincible Eleven (IE) headed by Dr. Tolbert is the right group that can uplift the hope and aspirations of the club. He noted that for too long the club has suffered at the hands of people with selfish aims. “It is about time we support people who have the passion to develop the game,” he added. “It is glaring that this team is the dream team to take IE out of the years of bondage and will at the same time deliver what was long expected from past leaders,” Mr. Taylor further stated.

Those on the team includes Dr. Tolbert for President, Francois Junius candidate for Vice President for Administration, Alfred Sayon, candidate for Vice President for Operation, Momolu V.O. Sirleaf,National General Secretary and former IE player, Jonathan B. Sogbie, Vice President for Fan Club. Recently, Dr. Richard Tolbert disclosed plans to rejuvenate the hope of the Invincible Eleven (IE) Majestic Sports Association, one of Liberia's leading traditional clubs. IE is currently going through a period of transition, a condition that has affected almost all the activities within the nations 'yellow boys.'Dr. Tolbert said that when elected; his administration will focus primarily on the creation of what he called a 'world- class Invincible Eleven Majestic Sports Association, Inc. as well as a winsome soccer, basketball, and other athletic activities.

In his mission's statement, the NIC boss promised to “develop and promote programs which aims to tap the natural talents and skills of all players and athletes of the association so as to enable them derive economic, social, and moral rights/ as well as benefits from their talents.” Former IE president Kadiatu Findley is also contending for the IE presidency. Meanwhile, fans and supporters of IE are expected to go to the poll to elect a new team of leadership for the association this weekend.

The secretary general of the Liberia Basketball Federation (LBF), Fred Pratt, has disclosed that the long-awaited commencement of the 2010/2011 National League will take place on Friday, February 5, at the open-air Sports Commission.

This season’s showcase had originally been scheduled for January 29, but was postponed to give contractors ample time to complete renovation works at the Sports Commission.

Speaking to the Daily Observer recently, Pratt also disclosed that nine new teams have been added to roster – C-Delta and Ducor Magic from the Female Division, as well as Ducor Magic, Don Bosco Magic, Barnersville Snipper and Jr. Rookies of the 3rd division.

Also from the 3rd Divisdion are Matadi Knight, Kardinal and Olympic Satellite.

The LBF Chief Scribe further revealed that 2nd division champs Wiloria Patriot and Urban Invaders have been promoted to the 1st division, while the winners of the 3rd division, Harbel Pointers and Heats have climbed to the 2nd division.

According to the secretariat, teams that are expected to compete in the 1st division are NPA Pythons, LPRC Oilers, Mighty Barrolle, Uhuru Kings, Flames and Commissioners.

Others are Monrovia Rockers, Dream Teams One and Two, Wiloria Patriot and Urban Invaders.

For the 2nd division chase, expected teams include Cardinal, Don Bosco Reginald, Georgia Sky Force (formerly Georgia Raptors), Cestos Morgas, Sacbase and Uhuru Prince.

The others are Flip Stars, Barnersville Celtic, FUBBA, St. Paul Crushers, Harbel Pointers, Heats and Supreme Brothers.

The participating female teams are K-Delta, Phoenix, Commissioners, Angel Shooters, Timber Wolves and Survivor.

Others include Supreme Sisters, Desert Ladies, Destiny Queens, C-Delta and Ducor Magic.

The 3rd division teams that are expected to partake are Island Calves, Road Runners, Deviers, SOS Trotters, Dixsville Dragon, Georgia Blazer and Destiny Kings.

The remaining teams are Don Bosco Magic, Barnersville Snipper, Junior Rookies, Matadi Knight, Kardinal and Olympic Satellite.

THE Lesotho Basketball Association Executive Committee has taken over the National Basketball League and will resume with league tournaments from the 27th February 2010.

This comes after a meeting held at Lesotho Sports and Recreation Commission on Tuesday 2nd of February 2010. The Executive Committee has found it important that they do something since the National Basketball League is inactive.

The Executive Committee held a meeting after the League failed the resume with fixtures on 15th January, and failed to hand over to the National Basketball Committee last year November.

Due to time constraints, NBC will resume with fixtures in the form of mini tournaments starting from the 27th February 2010 in Maseru and the venue will be announced at a later stage, the second tourney will be in Mafeteng on the 03rd next month.

There will be eight men’s clubs in all and three women’s clubs to take part in the tournaments.

The tournaments will be in remembrance of the late brothers Moeketsi and Lereko Taole of Mohalalitoe Maseru, Moeketsi died while he was in Cuba doing Sports Management and Lereko died in South Africa.

“The tournaments will be sponsored by Action Group in Sports Association.

As Côte d4ivoire be named to host the Afrobasket men 2011, the President of Ivorian Basketball Federation (FIBB), Koré Moise held a press conference this Monday 22nd March 2010 at FIBA Africa’s secretariat general Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. A the press conference, the boss of Ivorian basketball talked about the motivations and the goals aimed by Côte d’Ivoire by hosting the event in Abidjan.

« FIBA Africa named Côte d’Ivoire as the host of the FIBA Africa Nations Championship for men 2011. It is the result of a path that begun in Madagascar where Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Madagascar introduced their bidding files respectively. We introduced our file moreover in technical plan as in communication plan. We are happy to announce that following its last meeting, the Executive Committee decided to appoint Côte d’Ivoire as the host of the Afrobasket 2011. It is good news for us because we hosted the event 25 years ago in 1985. », declared the President, Koré Moïse. He expressed his satisfaction to welcome all the best teams of the continent in Côte d’Ivoire as well as « our brothers and friends from all of these countries ».

The boss of FIBB assured that Côte d’Ivoire will make all to respect the deadlines imposed by FIBA Africa’s guidelines. He promised that the FIBA Africa Championship will be « both a Ivorian Basketball show and Africa Basketball show ». According to him, it is important for the development of African Basketball that Africans aim to host such as competitions in good conditions. All of these will contribute to allow FIBA and « all the basketball stakeholders to say that Africa comes out from the amateurism». These challenges alongside the will for equipping Côte d’Ivoire with standard sports infrastructures which justify the reason of Koré Moise to host the Afrobasket 2011. Kore Moise aimed to win the competition. « Nobody goes to a competition without a goal to win. Thus Côte d’Ivoire goes into the competition as all other participant countries to try to win. If the reality of the playing courts shows us the contrary, we will take note of this but it is not mean that we are not ready. We will keep on working. But if we train well, there is no doubt that we can fight with equal arms against other African teams and try to win the Championship», presiced the President of Ivorian Basketball who declared that his goal for his term office is to « pull up the Ivorian Basketball to its initial level ». For that, he urged every body to follow the model of Angola who rules the African Basketball only because of the work.

FIBA Africa

THE Dar es Salaam regional basketball team, ‘Dream Team’, departs tomorrow for Mombasa, Kenya, ready for the month’s East and Central Africa Inter-Cities basketball championships.

The five-day championships will start on Tuesday and has attracted 15 teams from Zanzibar, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and hosts Kenya.

Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) Spokesman Michael Maluwe said today that the team is in a positive frame of mind and confidence is high that ‘Dream Team’ will shine in Coastal City of Kenya.

Maluwe said Dar es Salaam will compete in both men and ladies categories in the annual championships.

He named players in the ladies’ category as Lucy Augustino, Amina Ahmed, Hadija Kalambo, Zakhia Kondo, Jasmin Bablia, Faraja Malaki, Jackline Shemeza, Fanuna Yesini, Annomisiata Anthony and Jabu Shaabani.

The team will be under the tutelage of Leonard Kwale and team manager Judith Ilunda. The mean’s team is formed by Frank Kusiga, Gerald Baru, Mohamed Yusuph, Francis Mlewa, Slyvian Yunzu, Mkumbo Mgendi, Sunday Matondo, George Tarimo, Lusajo Lazaro, Gilbert Batungi, Naftari Msogoti and Jimmy Brown.

Francis Msisi is a team doctor. He said the team will be under Coach Bahati Mgunda. The head of delegation is Mbaga Mwamboma and technical official Manase Zablon.

Dar es Salaam will also send two referees in the championships who are Haleluya Kavalambi and Jerome Shimbe.

Mombasa, being the host city, would enter two men and the same number of women’s teams comprising schoolboys and girls to expose the students.

Kenya Ports Authority Welfare Centre and Mombasa Baptist High are the official play courts for the championships.

Some of the teams expected are Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Mwanza and Tanga (all from Tanzania), Zanzibar, Harare (Zimbabwe), Mogadishu (Somalia) and APR of Rwanda. Nairobi will enter both men and women’s teams.

Mombasa and Nairobi will be defending men and women’s titles they won last year in Arusha.

THIS is the best possible start to the season for coach Michel Malbrook after Anse Etoile Stars retained the women’s Curtain-raiser title and Baya dethroned Premium Cobras for the men’s crown on Saturday at the Palais des Sports.

“It’s nice to win, but I still have a lot to work on with the two teams,” coach Malbrook told Sports Nation after Stars beat HotShots 71-32 and Baya survived a late scare to edge Cobras 78-77.

Malagasy Rakotomahadimby top-scored for the Stars with 19 points

“We have a lot of injuries and some players just don’t turn up for training. Hopefully we can put all that behind us and build on this first triumph,” added Malbrook.

Without suspended Tina Agathine, who won the volleyball Indian Ocean Club Championship title on Saturday with Arsu in Mauritius, and player of the year Myra Solin, HotShots were no match for the Stars who dominated throughout, winning all four quarters – 21-4, 17-9, 14-7 and 19-12.

Malagasy Miantratsiory Rakotomahadimby top-scored for the Stars with 19 points including two 3-pointers, while Lucia Souffe added 13 and captain Simone Malbrook got 12.

“It’s a nice win and I’m happy to get 19 points even though I don’t train regularly because of work commitment,” said 24-year-old Rakotomahadimby, who added that she would like to play for Seychelles if she gets the chance.

Baya, who had beaten Razors 92-44 in Friday’s rescheduled semifinal, were cruising until Baya’s Cupidon (right) and Cobras’ Simon Pusam fight for a reboundmidway through the third quarter when their 15-point lead shrank to one before the Cobras took the lead at 56-55 on a skipper Dominic Pillay lay-up to close a 22-6 run.

The Cobras had their biggest lead of four points at 66-62 and 73-69 on a Nigerian Michael Ohiero 3-point play with two minutes and 21 seconds (2:21) left, but they just could not hold on to it to win the match.

After Hendricks Denis put Baya in front again at 77-76 with 20.6 seconds left, James Beier equalised at 77-77 on one of two free-throws, but Denis then gave his team victory at 78-77 with a shot from the stripe.

Denis almost committed suicide when he threw an air-ball with 3.5 second left and although Beier caught the ball on a fast break, he could not beat the buzzer.

Captain Robert Léon had the hot hands for Baya with 27 points, while Michael Cupidon added 17 and Denis 12.
Cobras’ Ohiero, who made a stray pass late in the game with his team trailing, finished with a game-high 30 points while skipper Pillay added 19.

G. G.

By Ostine Arinaitwe

Corporate League

Basketball

MOD 81-54 Access Bank
KIE 65-61 Bralirwa

REIGNING basketball kings Bralirwa got off to a bad start yesterday when they lost to hosts KIE (Kigali Institute of Education) in the opening match of the National Corporate league.

The brewing company was in imperious form last season winning all their games to dethrone Ministry of Defence (MoD) as basketball giants, but they failed to contain a spirited KIE side.

In the other game, MoD was too strong for Access bank after a 81-54 victory.

By Oscar Pilipili

Nairobi International School (NIS) overcame Aquinas 54-44 in a boys’ basketball semi-final to reach the Nairobi Secondary Schools Championships final for the second time in a row.

Upper Hill brought St Austin’s 10-year reign to an end after they beat them 62-59 in a closely-contested semi-final to reach the final for the first time in the history of the provincial games.

Following the results, Nairobi will have new champions when Upper Hill host NIS in the provincial final on Saturday. In the girls’ category, champions Lang’ata beat Arya Parklands by a half a basket, winning 39-38 to romp into the final.

Buru Buru showed their intention of lifting the trophy after they defeated St Georges 75-35 in another semi-final to set a final date with Lang’ata. Winners at the provincials qualify for the Brookside Term One National Championships at Upper Hill next month.

Meanwhile, some coaches are said to literally drag success to wherever they go. These tacticians are known to possess the ability to transform a team into a winning outfit within a short period.

Trail of success

And one such coach is Upper Hill’s Peter Orero, who has never missed the national secondary school championships since 1992.

Orero transformed Kamukunji into great sporting school and breeding ground for world-class players like Harambee Stars international and Inter Milan midfielder MacDonald Mariga and Auxerre striker Dennis Oliech.

When he moved to Lang’ata, he helped mould the boys’ football and girls’ basketball teams at the school into formidable sides.

Orero moved to Upper Hill last year as the principal and the institution is fast changing into a sports powerhouse. Upper Hill’s shocking victory over St Austin’s is a clear indication that this is the team to watch this year.

What qualities make Orero, who also chairs Nairobi Secondary School Sports Association, excel? In his own words, Orero said he is in touch with modern coaching technology and he is a qualified basketball, football and netball trainer.

"My strength in coaching lies in the management of team. I have a wealth of experience since I have never missed the national championships since 1992 and I know what is required for a team to win," Orero told FeverPitch.

Orero revealed Upper Hill basketball team played in the Nairobi Provincial league for the whole of last year in preparation for the school games.

"My team was ready to face any opposition since they had gained a lot of experience from playing against clubs for a year," he said.

Speaking on the venue of the final, Orero observed it was a coincidence that Upper Hill are the hosts, but added they would capitalise on home ground advantage.

For the first time in 47 years, this weekend’s Makerere University Open will not be hosted at the centrally-located pool court.“We are moving to main ground this year,” Makerere University senior sports tutor Peninah Kabenge told Daily Monitor. “We have upgraded the court there and it’s undoubtedly the best out door facility in Uganda at the moment,” she added.
Kabenge said they had imported glass fibre boards from China. “We have refurbished our sitting arena and the general environment points to a great tournament,” Kabenge noted.

Makerere Open, the oldest tournament in Uganda, was last year blighted by chaos orchestrated by some rowdy students and Kabenge believes the change of venue will prevent the recurrence of such a situation. “There is a police post at the main ground and that should put to rest any worries about chaos.”

Makerere (men) and A-1 Challenge (women) emerged victorious in last year’s tournament but have to dig deeper trying to defend their titles starting Saturday.

By Fadhil Iddy, Mwanza

Mwanza city council has donated bus tickets to their regional team ahead of the Intercity Basketball Championship slated for Mombasa, Kenya.Briefing reporters yesterday, Mwanza Regional Basketball Association vice chairman Adam Nyoni said the 12-man squad will depart on Sunday.

The biggest basketball tournament in the Eastern and Central Africa will commence on March 22 and climax on 28.Nyoni expressed his gratitude to the council for their support and urged the team to fight relentlessly to bring the trophy home.

"They have trained together for about a month now, therefore we're optimistic they will win us plaudits," he said.Nyoni stressed: "They will meet tough teams, but out team has many talented players, so we expect them to win the tournament."He named the players as skipper Bahati Kizito, Saimon Cheru,

Sebastian Marwa and Amon Sembelia.Others are Amrani Sofian, Osward Magoko, Richard Paranguu, Francis Nyoni, Victor Zakaria, Bundala Charles, Timoth Ngarura and Mriri Lubasha.The official said the team would be under tutelage of head coach Amiri Mohamed.

Others cities setting sights on the coveted trophy are Arusha, Dar es salaam Zanzibar,Nairobi, Kampala, Jinja and Mombasa.

PREMIUM COBRAS are in tomorrow’s men’s final of the Curtain-raiser tournament and they will surely be going all-out to defend their title won in 2009.

In Wednesday’s semifinal, coach Guy Hall’s team were never in trouble against MBU Rockers, who had needed two overtimes (OTs) to dispatch Mont Fleuri Dawgz 93-92 in Monday night’s quarterfinal encounter.

With their starting five netting 62 points, the Cobras dominated the Rockers to win all four quarters – 20-10, 22-19, 25-9 and 16-10 – for an 83-48 victory.

Nigerian playmaker Michael Oko Ohiero was once again in scoring mood for Premium Cobras with a game-leading 24 points, including two 3-pointers. Danny Bertin banked four treys for 12 points and Darren Lesperance shot the lights out three times for nine of his 15 points.

Skipper and power forward Dominic Pillay made a 14-point contribution in the win that propelled the defending champions into the final against the winners of last night’s other semifinal between Baya and Razors.

The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed after one of the referees did not turn up.

Back to Wednesday’s game, MBU Rockers totally lost the plot as not one of their players scored in double figures. Their highest scorer was Brian Morel with nine points – three treys – and playmaker Nigel Sinon added eight, as did forward Nigel ‘Jah’ Henriette.

The women’s final is between defending champions Anse Etoile Stars and HotShots. The two powerhouses made another trip to the final in different styles.

While the Stars edged Mont Fleuri 49-48 thanks to Malagasy Miantratsiory Rakotomahadimby’s late 3-pointer, league and cup champions HotShots posted an easy 53-28 win over Juniors.

G. G.

Upper Hill, seeking their maiden provincial basketball title, will battle cross-town rivals Nairobi International School, also looking for their first title during the boy's basketball final on Saturday.

That looks like a solid storyline for Saturday’s showdown. But let’s toss in the fact that their regular season tilt went right down to the wire, with Upper Hill sneaking out with a 62-59 victory.

NIS on the other hand made sure of their successive appearance at the finals after humbling Aquinas 54-44 at the semi-finals played last week in Hospital Hill.

On Saturday, the hosts will bank on their home ground advantage as they aim to re-write history.

Ended 10-year reign

“We are confident of going all the way [to the nationals]. This is our year,” said Peter Orero, Upper Hill’s principal.

“Since we are the hosts, we need to make good use of our home ground advantage during the match.”

Upper Hill is not your usual basketball team, but the school brought St Austin’s 10-year reign to an end after they beat them in a closely-contested semi-final to reach the provincial final for the first time.

Throughout the past decade St Austin’s dictated the provincial pace.

Like much of the season, the hosts will be led by Desmond Oyira and Jared Ouma, who have been a big inspiration for the new kids on the block.

Likewise, look out for NIS’s ballot possibility in Mohammed Mwakamucha, who possesses an inside game that has improved tremendously over his past two senior seasons. He will have to be key in defence.

‘Prove our worth’

“This is our chance to prove our worth. We need to keep our cool and we shall make it,” noted Radhika Lee, the NIS principal.

At the head of the Upper Hill bench, Orero remains the outsider. Despite a fulltime career as an administrator, he has led some great teams close to winning the school titles in football, netball and basketball. Since 1992, he has led a team to the national finals.

More than 12 players had knee injuries this season in the Egyptian league .Somouha lost IBrahim EL Adawy,Ahmed Zien,Ahmed Abd El Moteleb,Khaled Hamdy.Misr insuranse lost Mohamed El Saharty.Zamalek lost Ivan Jenkins ,Gezira lost Tarek El Saied,Gasco lost Raheem Browm ....More than 12 players had Knee problems in one of the highest injury seasons ever.
However, expersts blamed the long season for what happend while others accuses the hard courts for what happened.On the other hand Zamalek & Gasco sent a letter to the EBF asking for replacing their imports for serios injury,the current regulations may prevent the replacment for the tow injuried players but evrything is possible.

If the saying “everyone loves an underdog” is true, then Tunisia will have plenty of support in the stands when they travel to Istanbul for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

They are, along with Jordan, probably going to face the longest odds of winning a game, never mind advancing to the second phase of the competition.

The underdog label was just fine for Adel Tlatli, the coach of Tunisia, at last year’s Afrobasket in Libya.
No one expected his team to do much, yet the Tunisians shocked the continent by claiming a bronze medal, an achievement that sealed a place in the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

For a coach who cares deeply about basketball in his homeland, one who broke into the national team at 16 years of age and played until he was 24, stepping onto the podium in Tripoli was one of the biggest thrills of his life.
“It was really a big moment and a phenomenal result,” Tlatli said to FIBA.com.
“But I did not allow myself to dream about this before the end of the game.”

The third-place game was against Cameroon, a side loaded with talented players and one that everyone expected to advance to the FIBA World Championship.

The final score read, however, Tunisia 83 Cameroon 68.
“We surpassed expectations,” Tlatli said.
Reliving a golden moment
Last year’s bronze-medal game against Cameroon was indeed the pivotal event for Tunisia.
Tlatli remembers it like it was yesterday.
He remembers his thoughts on the way to the gym, and what he said to his players before tip-off.
“I told them that it was our chance to go to the World Championship and to be in Tunisian Basketball history,” he said.

“The players were more concentrated then during the other games, and overall, they did not panic.”
As is usually the case during a big Tunisia game, captain Amine Rzig came up big.
The 6ft 6in Rzig poured in 20 points on eight-of-17 shooting from the floor.
When he wasn’t scoring, Rzig was setting up his teammates.

He finished with five assists.
Marouan Kechrid is the playmaker.
Both he and Rzig, according to the coach, are the fan favorites.
Kechrid didn’t have any assists in that game against Cameroon, but he did score 14 points on three-of-five shooting from the floor and a six-of-seven effort at the charity stripe.

He drilled a couple of three-pointers.

Basketball fans also caught a glimpse of another player, Salah Mejeri, the 7ft 1in center that Tlatli calls the rising star of Tunisia.
Mejeri scored eight points and swatted a couple of shots in 14 minutes.
All three players figure to be prominent at the FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
Team USA, Slovenia, Brazil, Croatia and Iran are also in Group B with Tlatli’s team.
Which side is the coach looking forward to taking on more than any other?
“Of course the USA,” he said.
For the record, most members of the bronze-medal winning side, Tlatli says, will be in Turkey.

What to expect?

To drive home the fact that Tunisia are the underdogs in Group B, one needs only to look at the roster.

While all of the other squads have players in the NBA or at the leading clubs in Europe, Tunisia is a different story.
“Four players are completely professional,” the coach said.
“One in Morocco, one in Spain and two in Egypt in different teams. All the others in Tunisia are semi-professional.”

From a physical standpoint, there will be a difference.
At last year’s Afrobasket, the Tunisians did not have the biggest or strongest team on the floor.
“We have neither size nor physical strength compared to the other teams,” Tlatli admitted, “but we are speedier than them and our biggest strength is tactical.
“Our weakness is playing inside and we don't have a strong player. We need to play rapidly and to choose the best defense.”

To play at a FIBA World Championship is to reach the pinnacle of the sport which is why Tlatli expects many of the country’s fans to show up for the games.
“Oh yes,” he said.

And what, realistically, is the aim of Tunisia?

“To win at least one game,” Tlatli said.
Tlatli, who comes from Nabeul and played there, has come a long way as a coach.

He began walking the sidelines a quarter of a century ago with Nabeul's team.
Tlatli became the Tunisian national coach in 2001.
He was at the draw for the FIBA World Championship back in December, when it was held in Istanbul.

This entire experience means so much to him.
It is an opportunity that many players and coaches will never have.
“It is a dream which is still to be realized,” he said.
“It’s bringing international visibility for Tunisian basketball.”

Jeff Taylor
FIBA

ANSE ETOILE STARS are a match away from defending the women’s Curtain-raiser title they won last year after edging Mont Fleuri to make this coming Saturday’s final.

Winners on a narrow 52-51 score against HotShots in last year’s final, the Stars will be up Zerah Fontaine’s HotShots will clash with Jennifer Bonne’s Stars in a repeat of last year’s finalagainst the same opponents on Saturday after labouring to a 49-48 victory over the Mont Fleurians in Sunday’s second semifinal encounter.

As usual, veteran skipper and centre Simone Malbrook – who picked up just one point in the first quarter – led the Stars in scoring with 15 points, including a trey in the fourth.

Malagasy Miantratsiory Rakotomahadimby added 11 points, including two 3-pointers, for the Stars and her twin sister Fanatitra got five.

Veteran Williana Dubois, who once again showed that she can still play the game at 42, got some help from Burtina Désir in offence as they both finished with 14 points – among them two 3-pointers.

Defending league and cup champions HotShots had cruised to the final earlier last week by posting an easy 53-28 win over Juniors.

Still without suspended centre Tina Agathine and power forward Myra Solin, HotShots were paced by Sheriffa Agathine with 18 points and captain Beguitta Fontaine added 15.
Meanwhile, the men’s competition has reached the semifinal stage.

In yesterday’s first last-four match, Baya were to play first division newcomers Razors, while defending champions Premium Cobras play MBU Rockers today to decide who will make the trip to the final.

Playmaker Giovanni Laval was on fire from downtown with a season-leading six threes for 18 of his game-leading 31 points as Baya reached the century mark in a 100-49 win over RC Dynamics, who got 22 points from James Joubert.

Captain and centre Robert Léon added 30 points for Baya coached by Michel Malbrook, whose son Stephen Malbrook fouled out with a trey to his name.

Semifinalists Razors were paced by Liston Reginald with 21 points in their 86-55 victory over RA Herons and they had two other players – Sandy Moustache (14) and Alex Baron (12) – scoring in double figures.

Premium Cobras’ new Nigerian recruit, playmaker Michael Oko Ohiero, carried his team’s scoring load with 36 points including three 3-pointers in a 95-44 victory against second divisioners Pointe Larue Falcons.

Abdel Sylla made a 22-point contribution and James Beier added 14 in the win for the Cobras, who meet MBU Rockers today after coach Alvin Alcindor’s team needed two overtimes (OTs) to dispatch Mont Fleuri Dawgz 93-92 on Monday night.

Robert Francis gave the Rockers victory by burying both shots from the stripe with less than five seconds remaining on the clock after being fouled by Kevin Romain.

With the score locked at 64-64 at the end of normal time (40 minutes), a first OT of five minutes was played during which both teams scored 17 points. Tied once again at 81-81, a second OT was needed and the Rockers outscored the Dawgz 12-11 for the win.

Playmaker Nigel Sinon scored 22 points for the Rockers before fouling out and Francis added 19.
Steven André got 15 points and Nigel Cafrine 12 for the Dawgz, who had eliminated second division outfit Drifters on an 88-47 score in the previous round.

G. G.

The Commission of women basket and youth of FIBA Africa started on Tuesday 16th March 2010 its 2nd session for the 2006 – 2010 term office at the Secretariat general of FIBA Africa in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

For two days, from 16th to 17th March 2010, the participants will discuss the subject on the agenda of the important meeting included the report of various activities, the rules, the age control and the youth competitions’ report as well as the implication and the reintegration of women in the management of the activities. At the opening, Fodé Amara Condé, President of the Commission of women basket and youth invited the participants to «work forward in order to find solutions to promote and develop the women basket and youth ».

« According to the guidelines of FIBA Africa, our Commission has a great place it is why in the framework of the internal process, nothing must to stop our step forward »,precised he before introduced the minutes of the activities approved by the participants composed by Abderraouf Menjour, President of Competitions’ Commission. He urges the Federations to work for a women basket of quality that can compete in the worldwide level.

Menjour insisted on the fact that the works of the Commission of women basket and youth and the Competitions' commission are complementary.

FIBA AFRICA

What Mande Baker did not achieve as a player, he is doing it as a coach.
The former Charging Rhino utility guard, despite failure to win anything tangible with his club, guided International School of Uganda (ISU) boys to silver last weekend.
ISU represented Uganda at the American International Schools of South and Eastern Africa Championship held in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The Ugandans had a wonderful run in the four-day showpiece, beating Johannesburg 58-38 in the preliminaries and the hosts 41-29 in the semifinals.

Final hurdle
It was at the final hurdle that fatigue got the better of the boys, majority of them aged 15. That game ended 39-34 in favour of Kenya, denying the ISU boys a chance to win gold like their female counterparts did in 2005.

“Even with silver I am still contented. The boys had failed to impress in several editions of the tournament but were brilliant this time round,” Baker, who is also one of the leading referees in Uganda, told Daily Monitor at the weekend.

Baker singled out Thomas Campbell, Michael Sheffer and captain Dilton Kawalya as the most outstanding players for ISU. The tournament attracted teams from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe

The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has fixed April 7th as start off date for this season’s Zenith Bank League. The Secretary of the Federation Mr. Francis Gbiri confirmed the date just as he confirmed that the sponsors have handed in the cheque for the season.

The NBBF picked a cheque of N10m from Zenith Bank in Lagos on Thursday as sponsorship fee for the year.

“I believe we are set to kick off now having collected the most important thing – the cheque. We are working very hard to start April 7th as soon as we round off the Division one event in Ilorin in the middle belt region of the country. Once again we say thank you to our sponsors Zenith Bank for appreciating our efforts and staying with us,” Gbiri said.

The first phase will hold in Kano – north east of the country - as announced earlier while the next stop will be in Asaba before the Final-four play off in Lagos. The women’s league had been slated to start March 17th in Kano before it was postponed officially this week. All ten teams that competed in the league last season are still expected this term. First Bank retained their title last year with new entrants First Deepwater as runners-up.

Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa

The President and the Secretary General of FIBA Africa, Pr Alain Ekra and Dr Alphonse Bile, paid a courtesy visit today Friday 12th march to the Minister of the Sports of Mali, Mr. Hamane Niang. The President and the Secretary General of FIBA Africa wished to thank the Minister of sports for the development work done for the Malian Basketball. They explained to the Minister, the three main reasons of their working visit in Mali which are to prepare Afrobasket women 2011, to prepare FIBA Africa's various activities for year 2010 and thank the Malian authorities for the support which they bring to the Basketball.

For his part, the Minister, Hamane Niang has thanked FIBA Africa for its support for the Malian Basketball. He revealed that the Basketball became a major discipline in Mali with the various successes recorded by the National Teams to the continental level ( U16, U18, Senior women). He even indicated that the Basketball is even quoted in example by the President of the Republic who became an unconditional fan of this game. The Minister announced to FIBA Africa's delegation that a project of 10 playing courts is in progress by the Government further to the last success of theU16 teams in Afrobasket 2009 of their respective category. He also congratulated the Malian Federation which has just renewed its executive Board and for its work in youth Basket with the setting up of a junior championship in all the regions of Mali.

The Minister said that currently Mali wishes to have a basketball academy because this game aims at the elite.

Before the meeting with the Minister of Sports, early today FIBA Africa's delegation had visited alongside with the President of the Malian Basketball Federation, Abdallah Haidara, the center of high-level of Kabala. Introduced in 1998 but inaugurated in 2002, the center of Kabala is the camping place of Malian National teams. This center welcomes the following sports: basketball, Football, Boxe, Hand Ball, Volleyball, Martial arts. The athletic will make its entrance this year. The infrastructures of the center consist of: a arena of Basketball, a arena of Hand Ball and Volleyball, a gymnasium of Tae kwon do, a gymnasium of Judo and a football's ground, a reception room, a laundry, a restaurant, a cyber, a stretching room, a medical room and a room of entertainment. The center is coupled with the sports High School with about 200 pupils.

This project is financed by the Malian Ministry of the sports only. FIBA Africa expressed all its satisfactions to see such as project developed in Mali.

Chariot basketball club of Lagos is not leaving anything to chance in its bid to do well at the March 26 through April 4 National Division-One Championship holding in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Chariot who is one of the clubs bidding for a slot in the Division-One Championship is planning to assemble a crack team that will take Ilorin by storm and lead other would-be premier league contenders from the Atlantic conference.

Club chairman, Luka Yakubu told our correspondent that his love for the slamming and dunking game made the management of the modest Ikeja, Lagos-based outfit to want to be part of the division-one process.

We have since contracted the services of one of the best coach in the country to help tinker the team because we believe only the best is good for our team.

Chariot, one of the top Lagos City league teams trained twice daily at the popular Nigeria Police basketball court at the Police College, Ikeja.

Luka is optimistic that the club will gain promotion to the top league when the buzzer shot went off on April 4 in Ilorin.

The ex-Naval officer commended the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) for responding to the yarning of other stake-holders of the game.

I am indeed grateful to the NBBF for truly operating an open door policy as canvassed by the federation president, Tijjani Umar when he assume office last year and want to state that such spirit will yield positive result for the game in the country.

We have accept the olive branch extended to us, though we are already making plans to take the place of the Police who are already in the premier league before the NBBF gesture came and we have no doubt in our mind that this is one of the best thing to have happened to Nigeria basketball in the present dispensation.

We will justify this gesture as we aim to come out top at the end of hostility in Ilorin and gained promotion to the lucrative premier league and compete among the very best in the country because we are have been tested in several occasion in the Lagos City league where weve always held our own against the big teams in the Atlantic conference.

SENEGAL
Amadou Ly fr 1,88m Carl Albert St. Vol.
Cheik Mbodji 2,06m Grayson County Col.
Nick Diatta 2,03m South Plains Col.
Mohamed Fall fr 2,03m Cloud County Community Col.
El Hadji Wade fr 2,03m Hutchinson Community Col.
Bamba Dioum fr 2,03m Angelina Col.
Byago Diouf so 1,91m Col. of Southern Idaho
Aziz Ndiaye so 2,13m Co. of Southern Idaho
El Hadji Barro fr 2,06m Salt Lake Com. Col.
Souleymane Diedhiou fr 1,96m Snow Col.
Moussa Gueye fr 2,13m Lake Land Col.
Mamadou Seck so 2,01m Southeastern Illinois Col.

CAMEROON
Boris Boundjia so 1,91m Alfred St. Col.
Beas Hamga so 2,13m Weatherford Col.
Daniel Chattchou Tchigoua fr 2,03m Central Florida Comm. Col.
Dominique Behonh-Tolly fr 1,98m Montgomery Col.-Germantown

NIGERIA
God’s Gift Achiuwa fr 2,06m (6-9) Erie Community Col.
Olatunji Kosile fr 2,10m Northwest Florida St. Col.
Emimen Orupke fr 2,13m Three Rivers Col.
Onyeka Onyekwelu fr 1,85m Northampton Com. Col.
Doma Ibrahim so 2,03m Garrett Col.
Adam Shuaib fr 2,01m Howard Com. Col.

GAMBIA
Oumar Ndjembi fr 1,93m (6-4) Harry Truman Col.

SUDAN
Mayol Riathin 2,03m Southwestern Col.
Steven Gatkuoth so 2,10m Palm Beach Comm. Col.

ANGOLA
Francisco Luano fr 2,03m Polk St. Col.
Valdelicio Joaquim so 2,08m Colo f Eastern Utah

CHAD
Olivier Mbaigoto fr 1,98m St. Petersburg Col.
Ali-Abdoul Djim so 2,13m Lincoln Trail Col.

GABON
Romaric Lasme so 1,98m Laramie County Comm. Col.
Paco Boussougou so 1,93m Mercer County Com. Col.

GHANA
Chris Angsomwine so 2,08m Kilgore Col.

IVORY COAST
Jourdain Allou 1,96m Navarro Col.

BURKINA FASO
Kader Tapsoba fr 2,06m Tyler Junior Col.

RWANDA
Ivan Muhire fr 2,06m Gordon Col.
Jean Pierre Uwamahoro so 2,13m Gordon Col.

By Suleiman Jongo

Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD) is seeking financial support for both men’s and women’s basketball teams, dubbed “Dream Teams” to participate in the East, Central and Southern Africa Inter-Cities Championship.

The regional event, planned to take place in Mombasa from March 20 to 28 will see more than ten teams from various cities taking part.

Local players are currently under intensive training at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam but lack of funds has been a stumbling block for them.

A BD official, Mbaga Mwamboma, said yesterday that they were looking for Sh20 million to use in preparations and participation of both teams in the event.

“We are currently running the teams on a shoe-string budget and cannot manage to raise all the funds. We therefore call for urgent financial assistance from firms, institutions and individuals,” said Mwamboma.

He said participation of the two teams has a great impact for the country as far as sports development is concerned.

Dar es Salaam is among cities which had volunteered for the establishment of the regional event and has had an active participation.

Dar es Salaam’s men last year narrowly lost the championship to Mombasa while their sisters lost to Nairobi in the finals held in Arusha.

The event has attracted other local cities-Mbeya, Arusha, Tanga and Mwanza. Sudan’s Khartoum has also declared its intention to appear for the first time in this year’s event.

The president of the regional governing basketball body, Simon Msoffe, said yesterday that the event has been expanding, and new teams have joined each year.

Last year Somalia’s Mogadishu participated for the first time in the event and was a force to reckon with despite failing to emerge winners.
“We expect to have more new teams registering for the event to make it more thrilling,” said Msoffe, who holds the same post in the BD.

As the time for the event gets close, more than ten cities’ combined teams have confirmed participating in both men and women disciplines. They include hosts Mombasa, Kampala, Nairobi and Harare.
“We very much thank our last year’s sponsors, SD Africa, for their kind support. We hope they will be with us again this time and sponsor other local cities,” said Msoffe.

ABUJA (National Leagues) -The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has been forced to adjust the start off dates for the country’s major basketball leagues. The Federation’s flagship competition, the DStv League billed to start across the nation this Saturday will get a new date to be announced after across the board consultations. Similarly, the Zenith Bank League for Women which had been announced to start in Kano city next week will start at a later date just as the resuscitated Division One league billed for Ilorin will now begin on another date.

The NBBF President Mr Tijjani Umar explained that the Federation was forced to take the measure due to unforeseen circumstances and appealed to teams and all stakeholders for understanding.
“I believe we all understand the challenges our league sponsors MultiChoice are going through at this period. At the time we were working out the details for the league none of us imagined that criminals would kidnap some their staff. It’s a trying period for them and we just have to show understanding. This and other things that came up like off shoot of that and which have made it inevitable for us to adjust a little bit. We must present a league that will be better than that of last season.
“The banking industry Nigeria is going through many reforms and under such situation some things may take longer time than it used to be. Moreover, both sides are not just looking at this season but also seasons ahead that require so much detail and planning. But all said and done, there is nothing to worry about because they will be slight changes only,” Umar said.

The NBBF had already completed the pre-season training programmes and seminar for the season before this stage. As part of quickly moving the system forward, the Federation will meet with the Zenith Bank officials Thursday in Lagos as both sides tie up the loose end of the contract of the period. The date and full shape of the Zenith Bank League will be known at a later date when the Federation considers all input from the sponsors. Such key thing as number of phases to be played will be decided as part of the follow up.

Teams already invited for the Division One league have been informed and are now on standby for the update.

By Pius Ayinor, FIBA Africa

Basketball without Borders (BWB) will visit Senegal for the first time ever when a four-day camp takes place in the country’s capital city of Dakar from 5th-8th August, the National Basketball Assocation (NBA), International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and Senegalese Basketball Federation (FSBB) announced on Wednesday.

Former NBA star player turned global ambassador Dikembe Mutombo of the Democratic Republic of Congo headlines the contingent of FIBA/NBA players and coaches who will serve as camp counselors for the eighth edition of Basketball without Borders Africa.

The camp which combines high-level instruction and extensive community outreach efforts ranks as one of the most important events on Africa’s basketball calendar.

“Basketball without Borders is a unique programme that combines high-level coaching with important community work,” said FIBA Africa’s Alphonse Bile.

“As the sport continues to grow across the continent, we are proud to partner with our friends at the NBA and the FSBB to support this important event.”

Since the inaugural BWB Africa camp was held in Johannesburg in 2003, more than 700 of the continent’s best players have been coached and mentored through the programme.

This summer, the top 65 young players (aged 19 and under) from over 20 nations across Africa will come together to compete but also to form new friendships. To that end, the campers will be divided into teams irrespective of their nationalities.

“We are extremely proud to be working alongside the NBA and FIBA on this wonderful initiative here in Dakar,” said El Hadj Amadou Gaye, President of the Senegalese Basketball Federation.

“We look forward to welcoming the NBA stars and coaches for four days of intense competition and off-the-court activities that will serve to further raise the profile of the sport in Senegal and across Africa.”

Previous BWB Africa FIBA/NBA participants include NBA All-Stars Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard of the USA and Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki as well as natives of the continent such as DeSagana Diop (Senegal), Luol Deng (Sudan) and Didier Ilunga Mbenga (Congo).

Senegal’s very own Mouhammed Sene became the first BWB Africa participant to make the transition to the NBA when he was drafted by the Seattle Supersonics in 2006.

Cameroonian Luc Mbah a Moute of the Milwaukee Bucks, who himself was a camp participant in 2003, returned to the program in 2009 as a coach, mentor and role model for the campers.

The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) banks on media to unearth talents budding players before developing them into professionals.

TBF chairman of youth commission, Selemani Semunyu said media has wide tentacles to publicise and impress talented players to join the fray in basketball career.

Semunyu is in the opinion that media has power good enough to highlight the performance of budding players, thereby attracting others to emulate the idols into basketball promotion.

Coverage of both local and international basketball matches which is rare at the moment would entice and uproot local talents as they would be developing insight of the game.

“Plans are in the pipeline with local television channels to weigh the possibility of beaming NBA matches played on Saturdays and Sundays”, said Semunyu.

There will be especial analyst to assist in translating and giving comments as matches are underway, so says the TBF official.

He acknowledges the fact that TBF should emphasize on grassroots promotion for basketball to gain tempo in the country.

“Efforts are also to be directed to schools where most of youths are found”, he said.

He said that the newly elected leaders face a big challenge of raising funds to achieve their intended targets. "The federation is cash strapped and we need funds for most of our programmes to effectively make the ends meet", he said.

Despite his plea, the newly elected TBF leadership team has not unveiled their annual calendar of activities as the season unfolds.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

The President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar Amani Abeid Karume said the government will construct an indoor stadium with basketball courts to develop and promote related sporting activities.

Karume made the announcement during the basketball tournament final match between Police and Stone Town played at Gymkhana venue on Saturday.

He said the plans are underway to construct the venue by the Isles Minister for Information, Culture and Sports.

“For the purpose of enhancing sports development in Zanzibar, the government plans to construct an indoor stadium” , said President Karume.

President Karume insisted that youths in Zanzibar should engage in sport activities which are source of employment.

“Through sports you will also build good health amdf prolong life span”, he insisted.

During the final match of the tournament that got underway in August 27, witnessed Police being crowned champions after defeating Stone Town by 67-52.

JKU emerged winners for women after breezing past Maisara side. Only four women teams participated in the tournament.

Winners of the edition got away with a cash prize amounting to 700,000/-, while the first and second runners up pocketed 500,000/- and 300,000/- , respectively.

Basketball has not been the highly fancied sport in the Isles as most of the people are obsessed with soccer, that also has its standard plunging deep into doldrums.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Abidjan Basketball Club and Zenith won their respective matches on the second day of competition in the N1H, the Ivorian championship.
Anderson Affi top-scored again for Abidijan Basketball Club with 17 followed by Kouame Abo (199-F-80) who netted 12 and Seydou Traore (192-F-84) with 10 points.
Zenith had their best in Nigerian Ikechokwu, who scored 12 in his first game for the team, and Thierry Mian chipped in another 11 for the yet unbeaten team.
Both teams are leading the league while SOA and Phenix are both winless on the bottom of the table.

Here are the box scores of the second day:

OBC Olympic Basketball Club - SOA 59 - 45
OBC Olympic Basketball Club : Franck Affi (15) F. Kamara (9) Eloi Ngardinga (8) Daouda Camara (7) Himad Keita, Roland Koutouan (5) Vladimir Aman (4)Amani Kouassi (3) Hamidou Kamara (3) F Binin (3) Yao Konan (2)
SOA : Toe K T (14), Agbe K. H. (12), Lagui B B (6), Behibro K L (4), Kone K (3), Ble K K R (2), Traore H (2), Panze B. (2)

Phoenix Basket Ball Club - Zenith 47 - 74
Phoenix Basket Ball Club : Karim Abdoul (17), Tiecoura Kanga (14), K. Ouattara (6), Adjo Bokobri (5), Jean Michel Kouetoh (5)
Zenith : O. Ikechokwu (12), Thierry Mian (11),A. Dong (10),Ahouet Toh (8),Toka Toure (7), Blanchard N'Guessan (7),I. Diakite (6),T. Bakassa (6),Kouao Akasson (4), Jean Jacques Hallage (3)

Generation - ERMESS 74 - 56
Generation : Kouakou Rodrigue Adjoumani (25), R. Saba (25),Kydou Kone (8), Malick Diomande (8), A. O. P. Able (3), Wenceslas Oka (3),Souleymane Ouattara (2)
ERMESS : Alassane Meite (17), Soukoury Zadi (11), Ange Gnagno (8), Ousmane Sidibe (7), Bakari Fadiga (4), S. Pohoulou (4), Abdou Coulibaly (3), Martal Gnahoue (2)

IIvestp - Abidijan Basketball Club 49-63
IIvestp : Abdoulaye Traore (24), Guy Toure (15), Kan Marc Kouassi (4),F. G. N'Doubia (3),Kouadio N'Dri (2), A.D. N'Dri (1)
Abidijan Basketball Club : Anderson Affi (17),Kouame Abo (12), Seydou Traore (10),Abou-Bakar Sidiki Kona (8),A. Kokoun (6),Pierre Celestin Gbotto (5), Ahmed Fofana (3),Aristide Yao (189-F-80) (2)

Position - Team - Games - Points
1 Zenith 2 4
2 Abidijan Basketball Club 2 4
3 Generation 2 3
4 OBC Olympic Basketball Club 2 3
5 TBC Ermess 2 3
6 Ivestp 2 3
7 SOA 2 2
8 Phoenix Basket Ball Club 2 2

source : africabasket.com

To Resume Nat'l Basketball Duty

Over 20 diehard Invincible Eleven & Majestic Sports Association (IE&MSA) fans, who claim they voted in Dr. Richard V. Tolbert and his team into power, are urging the leadership to pay a US$8,800 debt the basketball team owes FIBA-Africa.
The fans, who averred to love the game of basketball, are also appealing to the Tolbert leadership to galvanize support in the interest of the membership, in order to make sure that the Invincible Eleven Basketball team participate in the 2010/2011 National Basketball championship, by paying the three-year-old debt.
Reports have it that the Invincible Eleven Basketball team got indebted to FIBA-Africa in 2007, when they failed to pay the hotel bills in Ivory Coast at the time they were representing Liberia as 2006/2007 Basketball Champion in Zone III male qualifier games of FIBA.
Owing to the failure to refund the money paid by FIBA-Africa to the Ivorian hotel, as per mandate from the international basketball organization, the IE Basketball team was expelled from participating in the local league until the refund has been made.
The new leadership of IE&MSA for the next two years are president-elect Richard V. Tolbert; vice president-elect for Administration, Francois Juniusr; vice president-elect for Operation and Technical Services, Alfred Sayon; vice president-elect for Fan Clubs, Jonathan 'Boye Charles'; and secretary general-elect Momolu Sirleaf.
0Copyright Liberian Observer - All Rights Reserved. This article cannot be re-published without the expressed, written consent of the Liberian Observer. Please contact us for more information or to request publishing permission.

By:
Leroy M. Sonpon, III

Thirty basketball coaches from 30 secondary schools, which are part of the Inter-School Sports Association (ISSA) in and around Monrovia, have entered the seventh day of 10 days of intensive basketball training under international basketball expert M. Sano Seydou, a Senegalese.
The coaching course for high school basketball coaches, which began Monday, March 1, will end tomorrow, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 with the certification of the coaches.
The technical training course is being sponsored by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)-Olympic Solidarity, in collaboration with the Liberia National Olympic Committee (LNOC) and the ISSA.
According to Seydou, who is also an executive of the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA)-Africa, the coaches are being trained in the basics of basketball, which entails lay-up, catching, throwing, shooting, dribbling, bouncing, among others.
The president of ISSA and Secretary General of LNOC, Mr. Joseph Willie, thanked the high school basketball coaches for their desire to learn the game to impact Liberian kids and also the LNOC for recommending the coaching course for high school basketball coaches.
Mr. Willie also expressed his thanks and appreciation, on behalf of ISSA, to the IOC/Olympic Solidarity for the sponsorship and lastly to FIBA-Africa for bringing in Coach Seydou.
Some of the coaches who are undergoing trainings are Roland K. Lawrence (St. Teresa Convent); A.B. Smith (B.W. Harris); Joseph J. Jallah (J.J. Roberts); Moses Simpson (Len Millar); Varney Massaquoi (1st AGM), William Dickson (Monrovia College) and Sondiful Sarnor (Apostolic Foundation).
Others are James K. Koigbli (Nathan Gibson); Oliver S. Harmon (St. Matthew); David L. Kennedy (Ricks Institute); Sei Vorkpor (R.C. Lawson); Emmanuel Bassey (St. Peter Lutheran); Teah Weah (Christ the King) and Mark Cassell (Calvary Baptist).
Meanwhile, basketball pundits have extolled Philipbert Browne's LNOC for the training of the high school coaches. They are, however, urging the LNOC to include other basketball coaches who are not benefiting from the course.

rt

Dar es Salaam regional basketball body(BD) yesterday announced Dream team men and women squads for this year’s Intercity Basketball Championship to be held from March 21- 28 in Mombasa, Kenya.

The association’s Director of Public Relations Michael Maluwe said BD management will meet with the selected players and coaches to discus the team’s preparations.
“ We have picked 26 men and 21 women who excelled in the just ended Regional Basketball League(RBA). We will then trim both squads to remain with 12-people squad in both disciplines,” said Maluwe.

Inter-city Basketball ChampionshipThe players in the provisional squad include Frank Kusiga, James Brown, Charles Makene and Mkumbo Mgendi (JKT), Cornell Joseph, Bernadicto Mkangala (Chui), Frank Agustino, Gilbert Batungi, Stephen Athanasio and Haleluya Kavalambi (ABC) and Gerald Baru, Lusajo Samwel, Naftali Msogoti (Oilers).

Others are Andrew Ikunguru, Mohamedy Mshale, Claudio Kisanko (Pazi) while from Savio there are George Tarimo and Mohamedy Yusuph.

Vijana City Bulls have produced Sylvian Yunzu, Dotto Zephania, Sunday Matondo, Alphael Kisusi, Antony Jeikanga while Alex George and Samwel Sige are from TZ Prisons.

Maluwe named the women team’s players as Nina Mliga, Zakhia Kondo, Jasmin Bablia, Esther Nelson, Amina Ahmed (DB Lioness), Grace Thomas, Neema Emanuel (Polisi Dar), Lucy Agustino, Angela Ignas, Faraja Malaki, Jabu Shaban, Grace Mugyabuso, Annomisiata Antony AND Jackline Shemeza (Jeshi Stars).

Others are Nelly Anyingisye, Sheilla Kibwana, Levina Julius, Evodia Kazinja, Lulu Joseph (JKT Stars) while Asha Iddy and Fanuna Yasini (Cargo Ladies)

By Brown Msyani

Jeshi Stars waged brave fights yesterday to claim this year’s Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball titles at the National Indoor Stadium.
The TPDF girls sealed the league title after beating Don Bosco Lioness 63-53 in thrilling encounter.
Don Bosco Lioness started the game threateningly to seal 16-13 lead in the first quarter, but Jeshi Stars fought aggressively to level the score to 28 all at the end of the first half.
Jeshi Stars maintained their rhythm to seal a 42-37 lead at the end of the third quarter.

They added 21 points in the fourth quarter while restricting their opponents to post 18 points at the period.
Jabu Shaaban who emerged the match’s Most Valuable Player(MVP) was played a major role in Jeshi Stars victory.
Teamed up with Faraja Malaki upfront, Jabu penned 24 points for the winners while Malaki chalked 12 points.
Don Bosco Lioness banked on pointer Esther Nelson who fired 11 points and Jasmine Bablia who managed to card 10 points.
This year league saw both defending champions JKT, the men’s title winners and the ladies category champs JKT Stars bowing out of the league prematurely.
Meanwhile ABC defeated Oilers 63-49 to claim the league's third place in a play off match held at the same venue yesterday.
Playing tactful game, ABC showed winning intention right from the start. They finished the first half with commanding 34-24 lead and went on post 29 more points in the second half to claim a comfortable win.
Steven Atanasio of ABC fired incredible 21 points to end up the match's top scorer while his team mate Gilbert Batungi penned 11 points.
Oilers’ playmaker Gerald Baru fought bravely to score 14 points while his team mate Kadiola Joseph chalked 11 points.
Police beat holders JKT Stars 75-73 to claim the Ladies League's third place in the play off held on Saturday at the same venue.

MEN’S defending champs Premium Cobras are in the quarterfinals of the Curtain-raiser tournament after their 77-60 victory over Cascade Bullets on Sunday at Victoria Gymnasium, but it was Drifters who stole the limelight on the day with a big win over Angels.

Cobras skipper Pillay (no. 11) finished with 14 pointsThe Cobras, with Nigerian playmaker Michael Oko Ohiero making his debut and scoring 13 points, won three of the four quarters against the Bullets, coached by Tony Juliette.

Skipper Dominic Pillay finished with 14 points and Nigerian centre Simon Pusam added 11 for Premium Cobras, while Bullets’ captain Biko Biong led all scores with 18.

Playing in the bottom half of the draw, Premium Cobras will next meet Pointe Larue Falcons, who dispatched AAP Brothers 54-38 on the back of 21 points from Sam Gabriel.

After reaching the century mark in a 124-46 victory over LMS Youth in their first match, MBU Rockers got balanced scoring with Brian Morel getting 16 (including three treys), playmaker Nigel Sinon 15 and swingman Cyril Agrippine 12 (including two buckets from downtown) in Sunday’s 85-33 victory over Anse Etoile.

Second division outfit Drifters of Anse Boileau, who are made up of a crop of talented young players, shocked first division side Angels, who come from the same district but play in the big league.

With playmaker Arnaud Arissol orchestrating his team’s play and burying five treys to shoot the lights out of Angels with his team-leading 20 points, Drifters celebrated a deserved 72-66 victory. Dominique Françoise made a 15-point contribution in the win and captain Frank Seth added 13.

Although Garry Duprès top-scored with 26 points, he could do nothing to stop Angels from making an embarrassing exit.
Coached by Angels’ forward Denis Dodin, Drifters will play first divisioners Mont Fleuri Dawgz on Thursday for a place in the quarterfinals.

In the top half, Baya got a game-high 27 points from centre and captain Robert Léon and shooting guard Steve Denis added 16, including three 3-pointers, in their 77-73 victory over reigning league champions PLS Hawks, who beat them 82-70 in the Charity match on Sunday February 21.

Veteran Jim Domingue finished with 16 points to lead the Hawks, who gave former Premium Cobras’ Nigerian forward Alao Solomon a debut. Solomon, who along with playmaker Thomas Collie, fouled out in the fourth quarter, finished with 12 points – the same total as player of the year Rodney Lozé – while Jefferson Nganga added 11.

In the quarterfinals, Baya will now match up with RC Dynamics, who got 27 points from skipper Jean-Paul Desaubin in a 69-50 defeat of relegated Beau Vallon Heat.

RA Herons, who walked over Cadets, will meet Razors who eliminated Juniors 59-45 in their first match.

In the women’s competition, defending champions Anse Etoile Stars will start the defence of their title on Friday when they play last year’s top-of-the-table winners Mont Fleuri, who had no trouble beating RA Sisters 53-27.

Veteran Williana Dubois had the hot hands for Mont Fleuri with 11 points and forward Bernadette Songor added 10.
Another veteran, Lina Lestrange, led RA Sisters with 10 points.

G. G.

By Timothy Muvunyi

Heroes’ basketball tourney

Finals

Espoir 59-89 APR (men)
UNR 56-62 APR (women)

Preliminary results

KIE 53 -107 APR
UGB 68-78 Espoir
KIE 55-59 UNR
UGB 77-83 CSK
UNR 48-57 APR

APR continued to prove that they are untouchable on the local scene after defending their Heroes basketball title.

The indomitable lions, who will be gunning for an unprecedented third successive league title this year, outplayed old rivals Espoir in Sunday’s final 89-59.

Presta Malemba led APR’s scoring wheels with 18 points but the club’s head coach Cliff Owuor reserved particular praise for Blaise Nikobahoze and new signing Aboubacar Barame.

“Barame and Nikobahoze were outstanding today. They complemented each other so well,” the former Kenyan international said.

En route the final, the army side made light work of Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) 107-53 but struggled against National University of Rwanda (UNR) 57-48 in a low scoring game.

The varsity side walked away with a consolation third-place medal after outscoring CSK 75-65.
In the women final, APR dislodged UNR 62-56.

Botswana Basketball Association is preparing for Under 18 African championship qualifiers billed for Zimbabwe.

A spokesperson for the organisation, Mothusi Thipe, said Under 18 boys and girls teams have already reported for camp in Gaborone and will take part in the games billed for April 24 - May 1.

We have 18 girls and boys but they will be scaled down to 12 on each side, he said.

The team will lock horns with Zone 6 countries including Angola and Mozambique which are currently regarded as the continental heavy weights.

Top two teams in this tournament will proceed to the continental showpiece scheduled for Egypt towards end of this year.

Angolan boys and Mozambican girls teams have already qualified for the African championship as the defending champions.

Previous records show that the two countries have proved to be a thorn for the local side although Botswana has done well in the Zone 6 tournaments.

Thipe said both boys and girls teams did well last year in BISA tournament in Swaziland where they brought home silver medals.

Although we have a challenge of having a pool of players to select from, we have tried to overcome that by building on the team that brought silver from BISA games in Swaziland, he said adding that many players come from the central region secondary schools.

Both teams are under tough training under the mentorship of Cuban Roberto Richard.

We will announce the coaches but currently Mr Richard is in charge, This time around we want to put our foot down, we are eyeing the second position, he said.

Anderson Affi (195-F-82) was named 'Player of the Week' after scoring 23 points for ABC in their 60-44 winner over Generation on the first day of competition in the N1A (Ivorian Championship).

The box scores of the first round:

ABC - GBC 60-44
ABC : Affi Anderson (23) ; Kokoun A (19) ; Traore Seydou (7) ; Nguessan N (3) ; Yao A (2 ) Abo K (2) ; Fofana A (2) ; Coulibaly P (2)
GBC : Adjoumani R (13) ; Kone K.S (12) ; Ouattara S (7) ; Diomande M (7) ; Saba R (2) ; Diallo A (2) ; Yeo O (1)

Ermess - Phenix 70-57
ERMESS : Meite A. (16), Gnahoue M. (12), Sidibe O. (10), Pohoulou S. (6), Coulibaly A. (6), Gnagno A. (5), Fadiga B. (5), Akatchi K. (4), Zadi S. (3), Zokou A. (3)
PHENIX : Yeboue A. (20), Kouibonhi J. (11), Diop A. (9), Abdoul K. (7), Kanga T. (4), Djakaridja S. (2), Bokobri A. (2), Kouetoh J. (1), Ouattara K (1)

Zenith - OBC 64-52
OBC : Koutouan R (17) , Ngardinga E (9), Camara D (8), Kamara F (6), Affi F (4), Aman V (3) Kouassi A (2), Keita H (2), Oueza A (1).
ZENITH : Diakite I (13), Toh H (12), Mian T (11), N'Guessan K (11), Akasson K. (10), Toure T (6), Hallage J. J (1)

IVESTP - SOA 69-51
SOA : Toe K T (14), Lagui B B (9), Kone K (8), Ble K K R (8), Akadiri M (7), N'Dri E P V (2), Behibro K L (2), Cisse M (1)
IVESTP : Traore A (12), Nana A (11), Toure G S (10), Traore M (9), Me F O (8), Tapa G (6), Coulibaly M (2), Kouassi K M (1)

THE Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) expects that the four-day referees training, to be held in Arusha early next month, would help improve the standard of the sport in the country.

TBF’s Secretary General Alexander Msoffe told the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ over the phone today that the course is aimed at refreshing and introducing new ideas to various refs in order to get good, experienced and qualified referees.
“The training has been approved by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and aims to impart officials with new skills which can help them bring about changes in the sport,” he said.

He underscored that the standard of the sport is still low in the country which haunt local teams at various international tournaments.
“Our players are short of skills and hardly understand the rules of the game while on the court, by teaching the referees, the knowledge will be transferred to the teams.”

Msoffe also noted that the federation felt that there is a need of having qualified arbitrators, saying they are important components in improving the standard of the sport.

The official added that apart from training referees, the federation will also make sure that they get a large number of competent personnel to be placed in every region to promote the sport from the grassroots level.

Msoffe said a good number of coaches have shown interest to participate in the short course to start on April 10 in northern city and have started registering for the training.

He urged interested referees to make use of the trainings to improve their understanding of the game and earn national and international recognition.
"We hope that after the course, the referees will be well equipped to perform their duties better and pass the expertise to the grassroots to unearth new talents," he said.

By Brown Msyani
Four giants today clash to vie for the final spot in the Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball league semis at the Indoor Stadium.

For the first time, the semi final stage will miss two regular performers Vijana City Bulls and holders JKT who have bowed out of the race.

Army Basketball Club(ABC) are scheduled to play Pazi in the first semi final before Savio take on Oilers in the second match at the same venue.

Winners of today's match will meet in the league's final at the same venue on Sunday. Absence of last year's finalists Vijana and JKT, makes it difficult to predict the winners of this year's league as all four teams have equal chances of claiming the crown.

Oilers beat Savio when they met at the preliminary stage, but Savio's playmaker and pointer George Tarimo says it won't be the same this time.

"We were yet to regain our winning form by then, we are now well organised to win the rest of the matches," said Tarimo. Gerald Baru, Oilers playmaker, promised to maintain their superiority over Savio once again.

"We beat them last time, nothing will stop us from posting another victory this time," he boasted. Ikunguru brothers, Ladislaus and

Andrew will lead Pazi against ABC today. However, Pazi still relay on Mohamed Mshale's remarkable marksmanship to blow off ABC challenge.

However, Pazi have to work extra time to block ABC lethal pointers Haleluya Kavalambi and Gilbert Batungi upfront. Unbeaten Jeshi Stars will take on
DB Lioness