Basketball in Africa

By Aloysius Byamukama

LAST 5 YEARS’ WINNERS
Boys
2005--Kibuli SS
2006--Kabojja SS
2007--King’s Coll. Budo
2008--Greenhill
2009--Saaku

Girls
2005--Nabisunsa
2006--Kibuli SS
2007–-Kibuli SS
2008–-Nabisunsa
2009––Nabisunsa

THE 15th edition of the National Schools Basketball Association (NASBA) organised post primary schools tournament tips off next week at St. Mary’s College Kisubi (SMACK). More than 70 school teams from across the country are expected to take part.

It will be the first time a Wakiso or Kampala school hosts the rest in the basketball fraternity since the tournament was inaugurated in 1996.

However, this has not barred the Kampala giants from lifting the trophy away from home as they have dominated the 15-year old competition.

At this time, the schools that have made it to this final are gearing up for the Monday tip off.

Boys’ race is the tightest
The last two editions have seen ‘the old order of doing things’ for the traditional giants take a turn as newcomers have come in and won the championship.
Green Hill was playing at their first tournament in 2008 at Mary Hill, Mbarara, where they won the accolade, while Luwero’s Ssaku SS also playing at their maiden competition won last year at Manjasi.

It is most likely that the trend may ccontinue this year as other strong new comers like London College, Kalinaabiri SS, Namirembe Hill Side and St. Joseph’s Naggalama will surely pose a threat.

And like NASBA technical man Edmund Lumu said, “These make the camps of old timers like Buddo SS, Crane High, Kibuli, St. Mary’s Kitende and Eagles Nest shake as the race for boys in still tricky,”

Nabisunsa, the indomitables
Nabisunsa Girls has won nine of the 14 national titles. Although this does not guarantee them a 10th title this year, they still remain the strongest side to watch in the girls’ category.

Arguably the youngest team at every tournament, they have got players who have seen it all from their seniors, the reason they have kept in dominant position both in Kampala and at nationals.
The team’s FUBA league experience also takes them above others.

They will, however, face a challenge from Ndejje SS, Crane High, Kibuli SS, Buddo SS and Mary Hill.

Hosts ready
SMACK is finalising works on two other courts and their neighbours Savio, Kisubi Technical and Mapera SS will be standby for any assistance. The teams arrive at Kisubi this Sunday and the event that runs up to May 2.