Basketball in Africa

I recently bumped into a diehard basketball fan and his attitude was all doom and gloom for Mountain Dew Falcons.

His description of a new Falcons era without Stephen Omony plus brothers Henry and Eric Malinga made me laugh most of all, to the point of semi-convincing me that this whole parody was an outrageous prank to frustrate Falcons – ironically it was April 1.

The fan said, “Basketball is all about big names and without the trio Falcons just aren’t going to win as many games this season.” Well, funny enough, I had him know that last season Falcons posted a modest regular season record and for the first time in four years failed to make the playoffs final.

My point is, I’m convinced that there are quite a number of people that have been brainwashed into thinking that Omony and the Malingas cannot be replaced. Yes, the three were instrumental in what is a cracking 12-year existence for the club.

Yes, they won us many championships and helped raise the brand Mountain Dew Falcons. No one can deny that the team most enjoyed the games in which those lads went for the jugular.

But what we must not forget is that every victory was a team effort. Every player had a part to play in each and every match. Nor must we forget how the team should work: like a machine, all parts of it working together towards a victorious outcome, silverware and titles.

Take one part out, and you replace it with another that brings the same qualities. The machine that is Mountain Dew Falcons is flexible and adaptable because it has to be – not just game to game, but from season to season too.

Players come and go. They are loved while they wear the red shirt, and fans retain fond memories when they leave. Sometimes they leave on bittersweet terms – Malingas did. And no one needs reminding that there’s no Ugandan club bigger than Falcons.

I’m absolutely convinced that the new recruits led by John Omondi (2009 Zone V MVP), Nkusi Aime Karim (Rwanda national team captain), Mike Buzangu, Bienvenu Ndandu, Cedric Sinarinzi and many more have what it takes to move the club to greater heights.

Omondi and company know the stature of the club they joined. Omondi is the best in East Africa as evidenced at last year’s Zone V championships – that’s why he is at the most successful club in Uganda, so why is the point in worrying?

In essence, everyone just needs to calm down. I want you to revert back to this article come season end and realise that the impending prophecy of doom just didn’t happen – although a few out there crave for that scenario.

Just like the trash talk that follows unbeaten boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather, the success of Mountain Dew Falcons has created a situation where by some basketball aficionados love to hate the club!