Basketball in Africa

Adefemi Babayemi Oriyo, the 6'7' prospect from Nigeria, is expected to hit Cebu on the first week of October. Babayemi has expressed his intentions to join the USC Warriors and has so far spoken to USC Warriors head coach Mike Reyes about his plans since a year ago. However, he was unable to come immediately owing to his financial situation. Recently however, he has found an airfare sponsor while playing a game in Nigeria. Babayemi's arrival should be welcome development to a Warriors squad plagued by issues of player disqualification lately.
source:www.uscwarriors.blogspot.com

Uhuru Kings have qualified for the grand final of the Liberia Basketball Federation league.

The kings beat their bitter rivals LPRC Oilers 61-59 points in game three of their best out three series on Thursday evening at a lively in built gym in Paynesville.

The pairing was fire-burning and it provided the change of lead several times.

Uhuru Kings looked very energetic through out the outing compared to Oilers who were a complete shadow of the side that won game one of the series.

The result means the kings will play NPA Deadly Pythons in a best out of five meeting which takes place this Sunday at the same venue.

It also allows them to play in their second final in the space of three years.

Games played aroung the BBA over the weekend in Gaborone and Selebi-Phikwe

Flames 20 v F Spartans
Splinters 20 v F Spartans
Troopers 71 v 40 Falcons
Troopers 103 v 90 Flames
Eagles 65 v 57 NIIT
Cadets 74 v 73 Police

F- Denotes Forfeited game

League Standings

Troopers 7-0
Spartans 5-4
Cadets 5-4
Flames 4-3
Police 4-4
Eagles 4-5
Falcons 3-4
BDF V 1-4
NIIT 0-9
Next round of matches 31 July 2010

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Royal Hooppers basketball club of Lagos at the weekend became the first team to book a playoffs ticket after recording two away wins over Nigeria Customs basketball and Islanders basketball club of Lagos in the Atlantic Conference of the DStv Premier Basketball League.

The Hoopers coached by former Nigeria international point guard, Ogoh Odaudu stunned Lagos fans with wins over Nigeria Customs and Islanders basketball clubs at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

Hoopers who has enjoyed the top spot of the conference in the past one week defeated both Customs and Islanders 73-61 and 79-68 points respectively.

And in the Savannah Conference the dwindling fortune of AHIP Giants basketball club of Kano continued as it lost its two road games to Bauchi Nets and Yelwa Hawks basketball clubs of Bauchi.

The Bauchi Nets versus AHIP Giants game began on a promising note for the Kano-side who though lost the first three quarters of the explosive game giving their best in the fourth quarter cutting down a 12 points deficit to go down by 63-68 points but the game against Yelwa Hawks exposed the AHIP side who gave up a first quarter win of 19-15 points to surrender the last three quarters which was dominated by the Hawks (16-07, 14-12 and 25-22) for a cumulative score-line of 70-60 points.

The win for the Hawks moved up to the fourth position of the Savannah conference which is being dictated by Kano Pillars.

Results:
Atlantic conference:
Delta Force 86-80 Union Bank
Union Bank 68-45 Police Baton
Islanders 51-53 Delta Force
Dodan Warriors 74-81 Delta Force
Royal Hoopers 63-58 Ebun Comets
NGR Customs 61-73 Royal Hoopers
Islanders 68-79 Royal Hoopers

Savannah conference
Niger Potters 59-51 Plateau Peaks
Kano Pillars 94-72 Kada Stars

AHIP Giants 72-74 Kada Stars
Bauchi Nets 63-58 AHIP Giants
Yelwa Hawks 70-60 AHIP Giants

(by Charis BX)
The league ended with CEPS as champion - again making it their 10th league cup in a row. Their last game took place on the Prisons court, Cantonments. They won their 10th straight GABL title after once again keeping a 100% record throughout the season. They beat C.Y.O in what seemed to be a too easy game for them on Wednesday. The game so interesting with C.E.P.S' center and the tallest player in the league, Richard Darko at 6'10' knocking down a trey in the third quarter. the question now is who is going to beat the CEPS team? Would they retain their title next season or a team would finally beat them?
The teams that went to relegation are Panthers, Yotive and Tema Youth who came to court late therefore giving 2 points to their opponents the Hoops.
the final results were

1. CEPS
2. HOOPS
3. WARRIORS
4. REFORMERS
5. POLICE
6. MAGIC
7. HOLY FAMILY
8. FIRE SERVICE
9. C.Y.O
10. LIONS
11. TURBO JETS
12. TEMA YOUTH*
13. PANTHERS*
14. YOTIVE*

For the ladies who have not still finished their league, Police Women and CEPS are tied at the top of the table.
In a game held today,Holy family ladies defeated Reformers with a beautiful come back after the Reformers were leading till the last quarter. Holy Family them took full dominance of the game and beat Reformers 39 - 32. CEPS laies also defeated the C.Y.O ladies 52 - 28 after a nice game. The final games for the ladies would take place next week.

Throughout the first round, Warriors was the only member of the top four teams that failed to cause an upset to any of the other three losing to Falcon, Dmark Power and UCU. The second round has brought a different luck.
After the league failed to start a week ago, Warriors then had the opportunity to once again play a championship contender at the start of a round after they lost the first round opener to Dmark Power.

Notably, one of the key questions was that could key players Ronnie Kasewu and Michael Karuiki keep their concentration on court?!. Ronnie lost his dad a few days ago and by game time, news had come in that Center Michael Karuiki had lost his sister. Against all odds, these athletes put up a splendid performance.
It was also all emotions among the capacity crowd at YMCA courts since it was the first game being played since the July 11th bombing in Kampala. For the fans, security was a key issue. You have to commend FUBA because the security checked out. There was enough manpower and security equipment to ensure the safety of the fans from any terror and everyone focused on the game.


Falcon started strong, even without starters Mike Bazangu and Bienvenne Ngandu who for unknown reasons only appeared at the beginning of the second half. In their absence, Sudi Mulunga and Richard Osana Omondi took charge. The two players are showing more than just skill but also leadership and maturity and it’s evident Falcon can count on them, the two players played the entire game, unrested. They were also mostly responsible for the 21-15 scoreboard in favor of Falcon at the end of the first quarter and the 39-34 scoreboard by halftime, still in Falcon’s favor.


The game never ran short of highlights, remarkably, Ramadhan Abdullahi’s unpredicted baseline dunk, which was soon over shadowed by a crossover on him by Sudi and moments later, a monster two handed dunk in traffic by Richard Omondi. And who can forget that block on Jude Ochieng by Omondi.


The Warriors were so disciplined in executing their plays and also showed great character coming from behind to win in 4th quarter after a 57-49 3rd quarter score in favor of Falcon.
Warriors took the much needed win in the last few seconds. Jude Ochieng had the opportunity to level the score at 62:62 with a three pointer, 5 minutes to play in the last quarter. Falcon would once again seem to break away. With under 40 seconds to play, Abdullahi Ramathan once again ties the game at 74:74 yet again with a long range three pointer , After two excellently shot free throws from Eric Malinga, Gad Eteu calls for a time out and his clipboard would produce the lay up fom Joshua Etalu for a 78:74 score in favor of Warriors, at the most crucial stage, Warriors had taken a lead for the first time in the game. Falcon pulled back one for a 78:76 score and it at this point with 4 seconds to play that Mike Bazangu is fouled to shoot for two. Now the game lay in Mike’s hands to tie the game for a possible overtime.
Only a few players cherish these moments but certainly not Mike Bazangu who has so far in the season only managed about 10% of all opportunities he has had at the charity line. Indeed he missed both shots.


The game ended in controversy. A foul was commited on a Falcon player but before referee Mandy Baker could award the two throws, he had to consult if the foul had happened after or before the buzzer and indeed it had happened after the final buzzer. And 78:76 it was, In favor of Warriors.
The celebrations for the Warriors fans was only comparable to the historic win over Dmark Power in final last season’s game four in which the warriors won the their inaugural title as a basketball club.

Today at YMCA
Angels v St. Michael (7.30pm)
KCC v Berkley (5.30pm)
MBC v Rhino (1.30pm)
Women
Amazon v Mak Sparks (3.30pm)
Crane v Cubs (11.30am)


The fight against relegation from the MTN-Fuba League is bound to be as interesting as the rush for the four playoff slots. Raising the relegation quota from two to four following a stay of execution for UCU Canons and KCC Lions surely elevated the stakes.

As UCU, third with 21 points, look destined for the postseason, KCC, who face winless Berkley at YMCA court, Wandegeya today, find themselves in familiar yet undesirable territory.

KCC (14) are third from bottom, the same tally as St. Michael ahead of the latter’s clash with Ndejje University Angels (15) in the late game. In addition to Knight Riders (14), all four will treat each of their remaining 11 fixtures as a Cup Final of sorts.

Andrew Okot and Daniel Owiti must continue to stand tall for St. Michael against the onslaught of coach Walker Obedi’s Ndejje. The latter seem to be suffering from the proverbial second season which must provoke Cyrus Kiviri, Crispin Biko and Donald Ssali to bear more responsibility to avoid the drop. For Berkley, their maiden season in division one has offered more despair than lessons.

National Basketball League

Today

CSK vs KIE
KBC vs Espoir
UGB vs NUR
APR vs Rusizi
Sunday
KBC vs KIE
UGB vs Rusizi
APR vs NUR

NATIONAL basketball league champions APR are looking to carry on from where they left off last weekend when they take on Rusizi this afternoon and National University of Rwanda (NUR) tomorrow.

The Indomitable lions, who raked in 14 points to finish a point behind surprise package Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) in the first round, regained top spot last Sunday after beating UGB 72-51 and the team’s head coach Cliff Owour reckons that they have to win all their remaining games.

“We have a couple of injuries in the side but we shall fight till the very end if we have to. We have been on top for the past three seasons and we have no intentions of letting that go,” the former Kenyan international stated.

KBC have two games on cards; a tricky test against Espoir today before entertaining Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) who had to thank NUR for their only win in the first round.
In the women fray, G.S Karubanda face NUR before taking on defending champions APR at Nyarugenge courts tomorrow.

Today at YMCA
Warriors v Falcons (7.30pm)
Women
KCC v A-1 (5.30pm)

Every team could afford as many mistakes as they liked during the first round of the MTN-Fuba League. That luxury will fade as second round starts this evening at YMCA court, Wandegeya.

The menu is enticing as champions Kyambogo Warriors and KCC Leopards clash with Mountain Dew Falcons and A-1 Challenge respectively after a delayed resumption due to bomb blasts about three weeks ago.

An average first round left Warriors, Uganda’s representatives in the Zone V Club Championships next month, trailing in fourth on 19 points, two behind leaders Falcons.
“Losing three games wasn’t so bad for a team trying to build an understanding,” a defiant Gad Eteu, the Warriors coach, told Daily Monitor. MVP Ronnie Kasewu lost his father last week and only resumed training on Wednesday but Makmot Orom is missing due to similar reasons.

Falcons offered glimpses of being the team to beat during the first as foreigners Mike Buzangu, Richard Osano Omondi and Biekenvenue Ngandu became instant hits.
In the women’s category, defending champions KCC face unbeaten A-1 Challenge.

Kampala

Friday at YMCA
KCC v A-1 Challenge 5:30pm
Men
Warriors v Falcons 7:30pm

Champions Warriors will play Falcons in the MTN-Fuba League second round opener on Friday at YMCA. Women title holders KCC Leopards also have a tough fixture against unbeaten A-1 Challenge after basketball body Fuba further delayed the second round tip-off due to security concerns.

Following bomb blasts at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds that left over 70 people dead recently, Fuba were forced to call off the league that had been expected to start yesterday evening.

“Due to security clearance issues for now, we regret to inform you that the league opening has once again been postponed to next Friday,” Fuba technical committee member Donan Byabazaire wrote to clubs on Saturday. Fuba promised to tighten security for the Friday games.

Kenya has been given a bye to the quarter-finals of the African Nations Basketball Cup Championships scheduled for Cairo, Egypt next week.

The draw released from Cairo, however, puts Kenya in a ‘pool of death.’ Kenya is grouped with hosts Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal in Pool ‘A’, while Mali, Nigeria, DR Congo, Ivory Coast and Mozambique are in Pool ‘B’.

National team coach, Philip Onyango, conceded his girls have been pooled in a tough group, but promised to pull an upset.

He said the team had stepped up training, moving its morning training sessions to the Kenyatta Public Beach in Mombasa for physical fitness.

Three titles

In an interview with Feverpitch, Onyango said all the players had reported to camp, and morale was high.

The team leaves on July 27 for the event in Cairo, Egypt, which runs from July 29 to August 6. Onyango said Christine Adhiambo has been dropped due to a nagging knee injury, while Susan Wadegu and Mwaijabu Mwidadi would not be making the trip due to lack of vital documents, among them birth certificates.

However, Onyango said all is well at the training camp at Mombasa Sports Club and Changamwe Catholic Church, where the team is training.

He said the team would play three friendly matches with boys’ teams in Mombasa as part of their preparation before it’s departure to Cairo. Onyango is an experienced coach, having guided Shimba Hills Secondary School last year to winning the East and Central Africa girls’ basketball title. He will be seeking to improve the team’s performance at the tournament.

Members of the team are Virginia Awino, Purity Odhiambo (both of Strathmore University) and Helen Oketch (Kenya Ports Authority).

Others are Susan Akinyi, Fatuma Mohammed, Zippy Khasoa, Michelle Adhiambo, Salome Oketch, Lucy Immaculate, Lucy Machuma, Mercy Wanyama, Natalie Mwangale, Georgia Adhiambo, Melisa Akinyi, Georgina Adhiambo and Harriet Awuor.

Game Venue Time
Flames v Spartans, Phikwe 09:00:00
Troopers v Falcons, Phikwe 11:00:00
Splinters v Spartans, Phikwe 13:00:00
Troopers v Flames, Phikwe 15:00:00
Relics v NIIT Ladies, Gabs SSKB 11:00:00
Cadets v Police Gabs SSKB 13:00:00
Eagles v NIIT Gabs SSKB 15:00:00

By Usher Komugisha

THE national basketball body FUBA is working round the clock to ensure security is in place ahead of the second round starting on Sunday.
Falcons are up against KIU Titans in one of the games due at the YMCA ground in Wandegeya.
FUBA’s plan on security follows the bomb blasts that rocked Kampala on July 11.
The bomb blasts at Kyadondo Rugby Club and at the Ethiopian Village Restaurant, left 76 people dead and several others injured.
FUBA secretary Tom Ocamringa, said plans are on to have games end by 9pm. Under the old schedule, the last games of the day would start at 9pm and end after 11pm.
“We are taking measures to protect the basketball family,” Ocamringa explained.

At the same time, the All-stars Challenge event due to have been held tomorrow has been pushed to August 7.

Sunday at YMCA
Heaters v Gulu Hawks 9:30am
Bushcourt v Ssaku 11:30am
Stormers v Crane High 3:30pm
KIU Titans v Falcons 7:30pm
Women
Crane High v Mak Sparks 1:30pm
Nabisunsa v A-1 5:30pm
August 7
All Star gala

After a long lull of uncertainty, the MTN Fuba League second round will finally get underway this weekend at YMCA, Wandegeya.

Following the recent bomb blasts that rocked Kampala, there had been fears the league, whose first round was as exciting as they come, wouldn’t resume soon. But the sport’s governing body, Fuba, yesterday said action would roll off on Sunday at the YMCA court. “We sincerely apologise for the delay but it was beyond us,” Fuba technical committee member Donan Byabazaire wrote to club officials after releasing the fixtures yesterday.

Beefed up security
Fuba vice-president Bob Buga said security will be beefed up for the games. “Please don’t feel offended if you are subjected to security checks, they are for the good of everyone,” he said.

Men’s topflight table leaders Falcons will hit the court first against Kampala International University (KIU) Titans.

Having finished the first round topping the standings with 21 points from 11 games, Falcons are determined to start off from where they left. “If we keep up the momentum, I believe we’ll maintain that spot as a cushion for the play-offs,” Falcons technical director Sam Obol told Daily Monitor yesterday.

“We are ready for any game.” Falcons were beaten at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Warriors last year but massive recruitments have ensured they mount another challenge this season. Second-placed DMark Power and UCU Canons are on level points with Falcons while Warriors are fourth.

Second division basketball side Cestos Mogars have booked their tickets for the first division category of the LBF championship.

They did so with an eye-catching victory over Heats on Tuesday at the in built gym in Paynesville.
Cestos Mogars over shadowed Heats 54-48 points in a match that was filled with skills, good ball distribution and tactical brilliance.
The Barnesville based outfit are the first to qualify for the premier stage of Liberian basketball in the on going play off competition.
Earlier on Destiny Queens fell disgracefully to K-Deltas.
They were beaten 26-39 points.
The result means they are now out of the rice for the finals of the competition.

Diviers dumped Island Calves 55-22 points in Tuesday’s first proceeding.

The LBF play off continued on Monday with Monrovia Sky Force continuing their unbeaten run in the second division championship with a commanding victory against St. Paul Crushers.

The defeated their opponents 50-37 points in a fire burning showdown.

In the day’s first encounter, SOS Troters dumped Georgia Blazers 43-37 points.

Phoenix scored a deserved 52-29 points victory over Angel Shooters in Monday’s second play off proceedings.

A team of college coaches from the United States of America arrive in the country next month for a series of clinics.

The ten tacticians numbering will be among a team of 50 members of the Athletes in Action (AIA) that will tour three East African states, also including Uganda and Rwanda, for different activities.

According to AIA Kenya co-ordinator David Nyamu, the first group is due to arrive on 5th August before embarking on their mission that will also see the travel to Kampala and Kigali.

Nyamu, who has been involved with AIA for the last three years, asked the invited coaches to register for the four day clinics that will be conducted at the Nairobi Railways Club beginning 9th August.

"They are a team of college coaches with vast experience in the game. Other than Kenya, they will also go to Uganda and Rwanda" said Nyamu, adding that participants from DR Congo have also been invited.

Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) chairman Ronny Owino and former KBF chairman Agina Wesonga also made the appeal for players and coaches to turn up and gain from the visitors knowledge and experience.

"There is always something new for coaches to learn during such clinics. As a coach myself, I will be there and my message for those who will be invited is to come and learn." said Owino who also a continental coaches instructor.

Agina said that they will be involved with different age groups cartegorised from will 10-12, 13-15 and 16-18 and cover 17 topics. "In the morning they will train the youngsters and take on the coaches in the afternoon." he said.

Dan Miles, who has a coaching career spanning 39 years, will lead the group that also includes Roger Kollmansgerer (16 years experience), Eileen Kleinfelter (25 years exp.), Eric Nelson (24 years exp.), Tim Shepler (25 years exp.) and Matt Murken (10 years exp.).

AIA has committed to sharing a "victory beyond competition" since 1966.

FIBA

NAIROBI (Premier League) - Posta climbed back to the top of the premier league once again by beating Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 67-55 at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

The Mailmen dislodged champions KCB Lions from top spot after the bankers had taken a brief lead with a 69-48 win over the same team the previous day. Posta, who led 29-21 at the break now have 18 points while Lions are lying third on 17.

William Ochieng led the scoring tally with 13 points while Joshua Orwe managed 12. The Students have found life rough in the top league and continue to struggled. They had 13 from Titus Musembi and 12 from Antonia Bwire.

Co-operative Bank of Kenya remain second with 18 points, trailings only on score difference following a 74-53 triumph over Strathmore University. Peter Kiganya scored 21 points and John Paul had 16. The Blades were pepped by Arthur Ameso who managed 18.

International Christian Center (ICC) posted a 92-73 win over United States International University (USIU). Both teams tied 20-20 and 22-22 in the first and third quarters. ICC's 14-6 second quarter run did the trick.Griffin Ligare collected 24 and James Omune added 21. Chris Mulumba made 14 for the Tigers.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) had a fruitful Nairobi tour when they won their second the beating 73-54 win over Lomboritz. Tony Okello posted 13 points with Musa Odari sinking 10.

KCB Lions shot to the top once again when they beat Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University 69-48. Tobias Onyango made 21 points and Juma Ikapian hit 10. Antonio Bwire made 15 for KCA.

KPA women thrashed Mennonites 71-39 as Mirriam Owuor shot 13 and Joyce Makungu added nine. Linet Atieno and Evalynb Itabu combined for 15 for the losers.

Sprite Storms hit KCA 49-39 behind Mercy Wanyama's 15 and another 14 from Emma Nyakweba. Jill Muthoni scored 11 for KC. Mirriam Owuor was good for 18 points and Hilda Indasi grabbed 14 to guide KPA to a 45-30 win over Strathmore University. Faith Owich pepped the Swords with game high 25 points.

USIU Flames dosed Kenya Polytechnic University 67-40 wit Sajda Ahmed running away with 25 points while Linda Mpuchi nailed 12. Damaris Katuna was the losers toast hitting 11.


Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the national Under 18 women team, the Junior Tigress will jet out of the country on 27 July for the FIBA-Africa U-18 Basketball Championship in Cairo, Egypt.

In a telephone chat with Basketball Timeout from their camp in Kaduna, Head Coach of the team, Aderemi ‘Owolo’ Adewunmi, disclosed that seven players will be decamped today, leaving only 15 players to fight for places in the 12-man team that will represent the country in the championship.

He said that despite the short time the team have for preparation, the players are gradually getting into shape. He revealed that the plan is to play some friendly matches with some U-16 and U-18 teams, to put the team in competitive mood ahead of the FIBA tourney in Cairo, which will dunk-off on 29 July.

The winners and runners-up of the competition will pick tickets for the FIBA-World Under 18 Championship coming up in 2011.

Some of the players in the Junior Tigress’ camp are Blessing Amos, Atunuwa Eva Lillian, Ogahanduku Sharon, Chika Juliet, Igiebor Osaume, Ogah Akpeze, Afimia Joan, Chukwuedo Emmanuela, Mohammed Samira, Eleumuku Sandra, Ugoka Uju and Edema Elo.

Others are Ayalogbe Bose, Isioma Okorie, Akanni Yetunde, Udo Marry, Atosu Upe and the 2009/2010 Zenith Bank Women’s Premier League best rebounder, Uchendu Ijeoma.

Read more: Owolo Decamps Seven Players Ahead Of FIBA-Africa U-18 Championship | Nigerian News – P.M.NEWS Nigeria http://pmnewsnigeria.com/2010/07/19/owolo-decamps-seven-players-ahead-of-fiba-africa-u-18-championship/#ixzz0u9QzrEWv

PLS HAWKS ne jouera pas la finale de l’édition 2010 de la Coupe des Clubs Champions de l'Océan Indien (CCCOI) de basket-ball qui se déroule au Palais des Sports Mahamasina, à Madagascar.

Lors de la première demi-finale jouée hier après-midi, la formation seychelloise s’est inclinée sur le score de 75-81 face à l’équipe Jeunesse Canon de Mayotte.

PLS Hawks a battu Amisco des Comores sur le score de 64-54 et l’équipe réunionnaise du BCD (Basket Club Dyonisien) 68-61 pour terminer en tête de la poule B pour se qualifier pour les demi-finales croisées.

Chez les dames, HotShots n’a pas pu atteindre les demi-finales après deux défaites dans la poule A.
Après s’être inclinée 62-68 contre M’tsapere de Mayotte lors de son premier match mercredi, la championne des Seychelles a subi la loi des Malgaches du BBCM, perdant sur le score de 29-105.


G. G.

Mildred Olumasi, a student of Union University in USA is the only player yet to report at the national girls’ Under-18 team residential training camp in Mombasa.

Coach Philip Onyango said on Sunday that Mildred is to arrive in the country today and join the rest of the players on Tuesday.

Onyango said arrival of on two Buruburu High School players- Melisa Akinyi, daughter of former Harambee Stars defender, John “Bobby” Ogolla and Mary Atieno on Saturday was a morale booster to the team.

The team is in Mombasa to train and acclimatise in readiness for this year’s Africa girls’ Under-18 basketball championship to be held in Cairo, Egypt from July 29 to August 6.

“I am happy that the two Buruburu players have reported to the camp as their presence is a booster to other members of the squad,” Onyango said.

During last year’s championship held in Tunisia, the Kenya ladies team finished sixth position. Onyango said the players are are currently working on offensive, defensive and tactical approach of the game.

By CAXTON APOLLO,

Posta on Sunday maintained their top position on the men’s basketball premier league table standings when they beat Kenya College of Accountancy-University 67-55 in an entertaining first leg encounter at the KCB Sports Club, Ruaraka.

The expected victory saw coach Ronnie Owino’s mailmen stay at the top of the 12-team competition with 18 points. Posta have so far played 10 matches, won eight and lost two.

Champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions had only enjoyed the league leadership for a few hours following their 69-48 win Saturday’s over coach KCA-U

Lions had garnered two points which shot them at the top with 17 points from eight wins and one loss. but Posta were back on top after their win over KCA-U.

Kenya Ports Authority men and women’s teams returned home in celebration after winning all their four away matches. On Sunday, the new look KPA men’s team defeated winless Lomboritz 73-54 after leading 34-17 at half-time.

Earlier, the dockwomen had set the ball rolling after resisting pressure to defeat stubborn Strathmore University 45-30. The students had worried the experienced KPA from start by leading 14-6 in the first quarter and went ahead to enjoy a 20-17 half-time run.

On Saturday, KPA men’s team had rocked Terrorists 39-23 in a tension charged tie which international referee Joseph Amoko end end in the third quarter. The dockwomen had started their tour of Nairobi well with a huge 71-39 win over hosts Mennonites.

In other matches on Sunday, Sadja scored game-high 25 poinst while Linda Mfuchi hit 12 points to help Flames of the USIU-A beat Kenya Polytechnic.

Written by Anthony A. Stephens
Friday, 16 July 2010
The contentious female basketball star has for the first time spoken out on her move to C. Deltas.

Player Amie Weah was transferred to the club from their better rivals K. Deltas but the latter is still claiming her ownership.

The battle over the ownership of Amie has sparked verbal clashes between the two clubs.

But the player told Star Sports has far as she was concerned, she was still the property of C-Deltas.
“I belong to C-Deltas and not K-deltas,”.

Player Weah said she wrote a letter to authorities of the LBF requesting a transfer to the club but did not however say whether it was approved.

The controversial player said she made the decision to move to C-Deltas after she noticed K-Deltas had broken the transfer law.
“They played more than 17 players and definitely I don’t have space on the team so I decided to join C-Deltas,”.
“The LBF rule says you registered 15 players and play 12 at the time but they went on to play 17,”.

She added: “my transfer to C-Deltas was legitimate,”.

As the transfer saga between the two clubs continues, K-Deltas have threatened to boycott the up coming playoff competition should the LBF fail to address the matter properly.

By ABDULRAHMAN SHERIFF

Mildred Olumasi, a student at Union University of Tennessee in USA, is expected in Kenya this weekend to join the national under-18 basketball team.

The team is in residential training in Mombasa for the Africa Under-18 girls’ basketball championships in Cairo from July 29 to August 6.

“Eleven players have reported to camp and are training at the St Mary’s Catholic Church in Changamwe every morning and at the Mombasa Sports Club (MSC) in the evenings,” team coach Philip Onyango said.

Travel document hitches

Mildred is among four players yet to report to camp while the remaining players are expected by this weekend.

Buruburu High School’s Melisa Akinyi, daughter of former Harambee Stars defender John “Bobby” Ogolla, is expected on Friday and her two school mates, Mary Atieno and Salome Vuhasho, on Thursday.

“I will drop three players from the 15 in the squad before the team’s departure to Cairo,” said Onyango. Already, Mwijabu Mwidadi and Suzan Wadegu, both from Shimba Hills, have been axed due to travel document hitches while Christine Ndalo is out with a knee injury.

The Coastal resort was chosen for the training since it has similar hot and humid conditions to the Egyptian city. Kenya will also be sending a team to Kigali, Rwanda, for the boys’ competition.

The two teams earned automatic qualification to represent Zone Five in the championship after they failed to get opponents in the elimination round matches in Nairobi in April.

It will be Kenya’s second appearance in the continental event. This time round the teams will be looking to improve on their performance, having finished last without a win in the boys’ event in Egypt and eighth in the girls’ category in Tunisia in 2008.

Under-18 players in camp

Zipporah Khasoa, Lucy Ohanga, Fatuma Mohamed (Shimba Hills High School, Coast), Natally Akinyi (Bulimo Secondary, Western), Harriet Awuor (Nakuru High, Rift Valley), Georgia Adhiambo (Buruburu High, Nairobi), Purity Auma, Virginia Awino (Strathmore, Nairobi), Susan Akinyi (MSC, Coast), Hellen Mtulla (KPA, Coast), Lucy Wanjala (unattached)

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has shortlist eighteen players to begin preparation ahead the 26th FIBA Africa Championship Zone-III qualifiers slated for Lome, Togo from August 6 through 18 this year.

According the Secretary General of the NBBF, Francis Gbiri that most of the players was drawn from the All-Stars Game the federation organized earlier this month.

The eighteen players to be tinkered by the duo of Coaches Sani Ahmed of Kano Pillars basketball club and Adeka Daudu of Dodan Warriors basketball club are to begin their preparation from the July 18 in Kaduna.

Kano Pillars has the largest number of invited players, the Nigeria league champion has four players which includes, Abubakar Usman, Ibrahim, Kelvin Nambam and Mattew Omonye; Kada Stars basketball club has three of its players invited for the Zone-III elimination they are Yusuf Yakubu, Adeolu Olaiya and Richio Dickson; Ebun Comets, Union Bank and Royal Hoopers basketball clubs each contributed two players.

The players are Yomi Joshua, Obumnaeme Onyia, Azuoma Dike, Onyeka Ekpete, Musa Usman and Victor Anthony; All-Stars Game MVP, Mohammed Bukar was invited from Dodan Warriors, Malik Tella from the Police Baton basketball club of Lagos, Manasseh Achii from Bauchi Nets while the duo of Louis Edem and Stanley Gumut who ply their trade in the Middle East league complete the list of invited players.

The players are expected in camp with their international passport, four passport photograph and training kits.

Nigeria will battle for one of the two slots in the zonal qualifiers alongside Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Liberia, Burkina Faso and Niger Republic

National Basketball League

Saturday

UGB 55-82 KBC
Espoir 62-45 Ferwaba
KIE 53-49 UNR
CSK 62-60 Rusizi

Sunday

CSK 63-56 UNR
Espoir 47-58 UGB
KIE 48- 67APR
KBC 64-46 Ferwaba

Kigali Basketball Club wrapped up their first round campaign in style after climbing back on top of the national basketball league table.

The league debutants cruised to back to back wins over UGB (82-55) and Ferwaba Select (64-46) to move to 15 points, one clear of reigning champions APR, who also ended their first round campaign on a positive note after trouncing Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) 67-48.

The result also means that KIE end the first round with just one win (53-49) in eight matches. KBC coach Pierre Gategabondo is full of praise for the team after a thrilling first round.

“The team exceeded our expectations and we have to acknowledge that,” he said before adding, “But we still have a long way to go. We need to keep working hard in training and staying focused at the task ahead.”

Gategabondo singled out Fiston Muhire as KBC‘s central player after averaging 20 points in the first round.

In the women league, KIE were humiliated by reigning champions APR (20-63), National University of Rwanda (NUR) thrashed St. Joseph 79-58 while G.S Karubanda landed default points against ISAE.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Union Bank basketball club of Lagos brightened it chances of making the final-8 playoffs cut with a 87-79 points victory over Dodan Warriors basketball club after Over-time at the weekend in Lagos.

Warriors had led in the first three quarters of the week-32 games of the Atlantic conference of the DStv Premier League by 21-20; 18-11 and 22-20 to move into the last quarter with a nine points advantage of 60-51 points only to surrender to the Stallion Boys as the bankers are known in the fourth and decisive quarter by 18-09 points to force an over-time after scores stood at 69 points apiece.

Union Bank coached by its former team manager, Rotimi Savage stood its ground in the over-time winning by 18-10 points to run away with a 87-79 points win thus confirming its superiority over the Coach Adeka Daudu tutored Warriors.

Union Bank combo-guard and former captain, Seyi Ayodele was in superb form netting a total of 21 points, skipper of the side and Nigeria Senior National Team player, Azuoma Dike recorded 14 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists while the duo of Abba Usman and Peter Okojie added 13 and 12 points each with centre, Godspower Igben grabbing 10 rebounds for the bankers victory.

Ebun Comets returned to the court on Sunday to hand Nigeria Customs basketball club of Lagos its tenth defeat of the season by 91-60 points thus confirming the border boys road to division-one.

Comets now take its record to 5-4 and catapult them to the second position on the Atlantic conference standing with an eye for a playoffs slot.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

Kada Stars hope of qualifying for its second consecutive playoffs receive a big boost Saturday when the Coach Sani Turi side defeated visiting Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi by 73-68 points.

The visitor who raced to a first half lead of (14-12 and 20-16) were made to kiss the court in the third and fourth quarters by the home team forcing them down by 26-16 and 19-18 points lose for a cumulative score-line of 73-68 points.

Kada Stars forward, Yusuf Oyaifo Yakubu who records a double double figure of 13 rebounds, 10 points, 3 assists and 2 steal says his side is committed to making it to Port Harcourt for the playoffs.

Im happy we won today (Saturday) which is good for our playoffs ambition, but I must give credit to the Yelwa players who were not ready to go down easily, they are a solid side but the good thing is that we won, said the Kada Stars forward.

In Kano it was defending champion, Kano Pillars all the way as they spanked AHIP Giants by a whopping 40 points difference of 89-49 points.

Pillars back-line anchored by Abubakar Usman proved a hard nut for the AHIP Giants side to crack as they turned the week-32 Savannah conference pairing to a one-sided game.

The win took their record to 7-1 while Niger Potters basketball club defeated Bauchi Nets basketball club by 48-39 points in a lack-luster game in Minna.

And on Sunday Coach Oche Omuh tutored Yelwa Hawks lost narrowly to Plateau Peaks at the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna by 69-67 points.

The lose by the Hawks to the Peaks making it two consecutive road game lose and a 3-7 record as their hope of making the final-8 playoffs now hangs in the balance with four games left for them in the regular season.

Weekend Results:

Atlantic Conference

Ebun Comets 79-67 Police Baton
Union Bank 87-79 Dodan Warriors OT
NGR Customs 60-91 Ebun Comets

Savannah Conference

Kada Stars 73-68 Yelwa Hawks
AHIP Giants 49-89
Niger Potters 48-39 Bauchi Nets
Plateau Peaks 69-67 Yelwa Hawks

Liberty Stadium complex, Ibadan, headquarters of the Southwest Zone-One of the National Sports Commission is agog for the 4th edition of Southwest Private Secondary Schools Basketball Championship expected to run from July 28 through August 1, 2010.

The Zonal Coordinator Steve Olarinoye affirms that, the aim of the zone in organizing the game is to enable it discover new talents; promote the game in our schools and to encourage friendliness among the students.

Trophies, Certificates and gift are awaiting winners at the 3 days Championship.

By Brown Msyani, Zanzibar
Jeshi Stars defeated Don Bosco Lioness to claim Union Basketball League in a thrilling final held here yesterday at Amani Stadium courts.

Led by Faraja Maliki, Jabu Shaaban and Lucy Augustine upfront, Jeshi Stars, however, had to sweat profusely before posting 50-44 at the end of the fiercely fought encounter
It was their third title this season after the Regional Basketball League(RBA) they won in March and the National Basketball League(NBL) grabbed a month later.
"Our mission is now accomplished after winning our third title," said Jeshi Stars captain, Lucy Augustino.
Jeshi Stars took a slim 26-22 lead at the break. Jabu Shaaban led Jeshi’s assault after netting 15 points as team-mate Faraja Malaki scored 12 points.
They widened the gap to 45-33 at the end of the third quarter and finished their onslaught with five more points at the end of the final quarter.
Lady Lioness top scorers were Zakia Kondo who penned 11 points and Jasmine Bablia who netted 9 points.
Savio defeated Oilers 63-44 to claim the men’s title in the second final match held at the same venue. Savio also claimed the NBL title in April this year after defeating Oilers in Dar es Salaam.
The newly crowned champions showed intent to win from the word go, pinning their opponents at their own domain.
They recorded a 15-12 lead in the first quarter, before stretching their muscle to lead 30-26 at the break.
The third quarter was very disastrous to Oilers as Savio came strong to post hefty 46-34 at the end.
Savio fired 17 points in the fourth quarter while restricting Oilers to garner only 10 points the period.
Mohamed Yusuf displayed an outstanding game and was at the top of things as he led the scoring chart with 21 points. His team mate Paschal Nsana contributed 15 points.
Evergreen, Dominic Zakaria led the charges for Oilers, scoring 19 points, while team-mate Lusajo Samuel assisted with 8 points but their efforts ended in vain.

By Brown Msyani, Zanzibar

Oilers of Dar es Salaam hit the Tornadoes 100-35 in the ongoing Union Basketball Tournament at Amani Stadium courts yesterday.
Inexperienced Tornadoes slumped to a humiliating 110-53 defeat to Savio in their opening match.
Oilers meet resurgent Savio in today’s final. They stand a better chance of clinching the trophy following their mercurial form.
Savio sailed through to the final after edging out Stone Town of Zanzibar 59-53 in a well-contested game held at the same venue.
Led by Mohamed Yusuf and Jije Makani, Savio laboured for the victory as Stone Town’s shot blockers thwarted most of their opponents’ moves.
Speaking about today’s final, Savio playmaker George Tarimo said they would go all out in a bid to beat their old adversaries.
“They have been playing very well lately, but we’re confident to defeat them, we’re all ready for the battle,” he said.

Backed by Mbesso Construction, Oilers began their ride to the final with 68-65 win over Savio before defeating Rangers 79-52 in their second game.
Gerard Baru and Lusajo Samuel have so far proved too difficult to mark in all matches they have played.

Stone Town defeated Sixers 62-52 to romp into the semifinals while Mzinga earned a 40-0 walkover after JKT decided not to show up.

By CAXTON APOLLO
http://www.nation.co.ke

National women’s basketball league champions Eagle Wings and Posta on Sunday shot at the top of the table standings after registering easy victories in their first leg matches at KCB Sports Club Ruaraka.

Eagle Wings humiliated weak Mennonites 70-32 while Co-op Bank also had an easy run beating Kenya College of Accountancy-University 64-27.

Willy Ochieng had hit 23 points while Desmond Owili added 12 to help Posta beat the Lomboritz 66-46. Posta now lead the 12-team standings with 16 points .

Eagle Wings needed to grab the two points from the hapless Mennonites to dislodge league leaders Yana from the top of the 10-team league standing with with 12 points.

Out-door courts

Wings, who started with a 24-9 first quarter run, remained unbeaten from six outings. Yana, who had no engagement at the Ruaraka out-door courts, dropped to the second position with 11 from five wins and one lose.

Little known Silalei Shani had a brilliant day scoring 14 points for Wings, who flied past their disorganised opponents 37-18 at half-time. Samba Mjomba added 11 points for Wings while Mennonites players Leila Hussein (6 points) and Everline Itabu (9) were restricted not to score in double figures.

Forward Peter Kiganya shot 11 points while Bobby Okwabo hit 10 as Co-op Bank beat KCA-U 64-27. The bankers led 35-20 at half-time. Strathmore University had to battle hard to defeat fellow students Tigers of the USIU-A 65-58 in a tight first leg tie. Strathmore led 33-32 at half-time but had raise their game to win.

Clifton Odhiambo scored 16 points, Paul Nyakinda shot 11 and Emmanuel Odhiambo added 10 for the winners. Victor Bosire who helped Tigers to lead 18-12 in the first quarter, hit 12 and Chris Mulumba replied with 12 for the losers. Flames of the USIU-A harvested two more points when they beat Strathmore University 49-39 in the women’s tie.

Results

Ulinzi Warriors 58 Mennonites 52, Parklands Baptist 69 Friends of Basketball 48, African Nazarene University 41 Nairobi Pentecostal Church 54, Emyba 71 FOB 70, World Hope 77 ANU 46, Mennonites-women 36 Sprite Storms 50, Flames of the USIU-A 49 Strathmore University 39, Tigers of the USIU-A 58 Strathmore University 65.

The Zimbabwe Under 18 men basketball squad is seeking a wild card entry into the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) African Championships to be held in Rwanda in September.

Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) competitions director Simon Lawson said Zimbabwe stood a very good chance of qualifying for the games after Buz applied to Fiba to be considered for a wild card entry.

This came after the Zimbabwean team failed to secure automatic qualification for the games after losing to Mozambique during the Zone Six Basketball qualifiers last month.

Zimbabwe managed to beat Malawi but they came unstuck against a well-drilled Mozambique side which sealed automatic qualification at the games.

“It would be nice if we qualify for the tournament but by the time Fiba reaches the decision, there would not be enough time to finalise all the logistics like travel documents for the players and organising camps for the team,” said Lawson.

Wild cards are invitations to any Fiba-organised competitions provided to any country by the Fiba Central Board, Fiba’s highest executive body.

Fiba makes the decision according to a list of carefully studied criteria, which includes aspects related to sporting performance, sports governance and economic factors.

The Liberia Basketball Federation is expected to release the fixture for its play offs competition today.

The fixture will pair bigger clubs against their smaller opponents in the male category, while the female clubs will ramble among themselves.

Meanwhile reports coming in say this year’s playoffs will be held at the unfinished SKD Sports Complex gymnasium in Paynesville-the venue for the recently held international basketball qualifiers.

The reports say the decision is due to the huge down pour of rain which normally interrupts basketball matches at the Sports Commission.

This will be the first time for the LBF to transfer its league to another venue while it is in progress.

LBF Secretary General Fred Pratt couldn’t deny nor confirm the reports but said what ever the decision is; it would be in the interest of the game.

(by Olusegun Ikuesan)
Ebun Comets basketball club Friday confirm superiority over the Police Baton basketball club of Lagos with a 79-67 points victory making it 2-0 record n favour of the Coach Ayo Bakare tutored young Comets side.

The week-31 Atlantic conference pairing which was beamed live on SuperSport Select by the title sponsor DStv/MultiChoice saw the Comets winning the first three quarters 24-23, 13-11 and 23-13 points to move up to the fourth position of the conference standing while the Police Baton who began the game on a good note won the fourth quarter by 22-19 points.

Comets co-captain Yomi Joshua led the floor with 17 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, Jacob Ogenyi added a double double effort of 13 points and 11 rebounds, shooting guard Obum Onyia contributed 17 points and 5 rebounds, Benjamin Nims scored 12 points and 9 rebounds with Nigeria U16 national team point guard, Peter Odia added 12 points to give their side victory.

By Doreen Umutesi

National basketball league

Today

UGB vs KBC
Espoir vs Ferwaba
KIE vs NUR
CSK vs Rusizi

Sunday

CSK vs NUR
Espoir vs UGB
KIE vs APR
KBC vs Ferwaba

KIGALI Basketball Club (KBC) are looking to bounce back from defeat against APR (75-55) and reclaim top spot on the national basketball league table this weekend.

KBC, who are a point adrift of the reigning champions, take on UGB this morning before clashing with Ferwaba select tomorrow.

KBC coach Pierre Gategabondo is confident they can leapfrog the army side by picking up maximum points against the two sides.

“We did not prepare well for our previous game against APR and paid the price but we are now good to go,” he said before adding, “We know that winning both games will take us back to the top.”

KBC will also welcome back their star guard Oliver Kanamugire, who has been held up with a tight work schedule.

APR will also look to keep their winning streak going when they entertain weaklings KIE tomorrow. Other weekend games will merge Espoir and UGB, CSK and National University of Rwanda (NUR) among others.

APR top the table with 12 points after a run of five wins and two defeats

Posta and Co-operative Bank will be out to dislodge champions Kenya Commercial Bank Lions from the basketball league leadership when they play their key first leg matches at the KCB sports club in Ruaraka this weekend.

Big league wins for Lions, Eagle Wings
Champs Lions back to winning ways
Soccer daughters in Kenya U-18 team
On Saturday, Co-op Bank, who beat Blazers 86-50 last weekend, will start as favourites against Charles Goro’s Kenya College of Accountancy-University while the mailmen will confront Lomboritz on Sunday.

Renovations

Joseph Amoko, Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) said the change of venue was necessitated due to the unavailability of World Hope Centre on Saturday and Sunday.

Amoko said Nairobi fixtures had been switched to the Lavington venue last weekend because of the on-going renovations at the Nyayo Stadium and apologised to all teams for the inconveniences.

Posta struggled to beat University of Nairobi’s Terrorists 44-40 to move to the second spot on the 12-team standings with 14 points from six wins and two loses.

KCB Lions, without a game this weekend, are likely to drop to the second with 15 points.

After going down 86-70 to Ulinzi Warriors, Trail Blazers have another chance to improve on their mediocre performance when they host Nakuru Club on Saturday at 12pm.

Fixtures: Saturday: FOB v Parklands Baptist (10am), NPC v ANU (10am),Trail Blazers v Nakuru Club (12pm), Ulinzi Warriors v Mennonites (12pm), Eagle Wings v Mennonites (2pm), Co-op Bank v KCA-U (2pm). Sunday: Emyba v FOB (9am),Trail Blazers (9am), ANU v World Hope (10.30am), Mennonites v Sprite Storms (10.30am), Strathmore University v Flames of USIU-A (12pm), Posta v Lomboritz (2pm), Strathmore University v Tigers of USIU-A (2pm)

(by Olusegun Ikuesan) africabasket.com

The Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF organized DStv Premier League resume this weekend with seven crucial games on bill across the country as teams jostle for a place in the final-8 playoffs slot while other battle against relegation.

In the Atlantic conference former champion, Ebun Comets basketball club would expect to raise its games as it went for a double assault against the Police Baton on Friday (today) and Nigeria Customs basketball club on Sunday at the sports hall of the national stadium, Lagos.

The Comets versus Police Baton game today promised to attract the best of basketball artistry as the Coach Mark Balogun Police side have vowed to repay Comets back in its own coins after the Coach Ayo Bakare tutored young Comets side humbled the Police side penultimate weekend by 100-92 points to assume a contender role for a place in the conference playoffs slot.

Coach Bakare who promised that his side has what it takes to make it to the playoffs coming up in Port Harcourt in September will be guest of Nigeria Customs side who are still searching for a winning formula. Comets were the better of the two sides when both teams meet in week-one of the Atlantic conference pairing with a 73-54 points advantage.

Still in the Atlantic conference Union Bank basketball club and Dodan Warriors basketball club will entertain the fans in Lagos on Saturday as both sides engage each other in a supremacy battle with Union Bank having the upper hand having won the league opener between both sides by 77-76 points and presently occupied the fourth spot on the conference standing.

Yelwa Hawks basketball club of Bauchi is another team waging a double war against home side Kada Stars basketball club of Kaduna and Plateau Peaks basketball club of Jos but has its home games played in the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

The Kada versus Yelwa match-up holds on Saturday at the sports hall of the Murlata Square Sports Complex gymnasium with the home side gunning for a double supremacy win over the Coach Oche Omuh tutored Hawks who suffered a 48-53 points home lose to the Kada side in the week-one of the league earlier in the year while it will attempt to confirm its superiority over the Peaks on Sunday.

AHIP Giants basketball club of Kano will battle defending champion, Kano Pillars basketball club at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofa mata, Kano in a local derby. While Niger Potters basketball club will be at home to Savannah conference second placed team, Bauchi Nets basketball club in a must win game if it hope to make final-8 playoffs cut.

This Weekend Games

Atlantic Conference

09/07/10 Ebun Comets Vs Police Baton Lagos - 4pm (100-92)
10/07/10 Union Bank Vs Dodan Warriors Lagos 4pm (77-76)
11/07/10 NGR Customs Vs Ebun Comets Lagos 4pm (54-73)

Savannah Conference

10/07/10 Kada Stars Vs Yelwa Hawks Kaduna 5pm (53-48)
10/07/10 Niger Potters Vs Bauchi Nets Minna 4pm (41-67)
10/07/10 AHIP Giants Vs Kano Pillars Kano 4pm (52-73)
11/07/10 Plateau Peaks Vs Yelwa Hawks Kaduna 4pm (57-60)

The screening of the Akofa Ivy League All Stars team scheduled to play in a youth basketball tournament in Belgium begins today at the Rowe Park Sports Complex, Yaba, Lagos State, Nigeria.

At least 82 young basketballers from different schools across the state have been invited to fight for a place in the final list of the Under 15 (boys and girls), Under 17 (boys and girls) and Under 18 (girls) teams for the tournament billed for Ghent, Belgium.

Some of the players invited for the screening exercise that will hold between 9a.m. and 3p.m. tomorrow and 3p.m. and 6p.m. on Sunday are Atta Aronze, Cole Olamide and Guobadia Omoregie from Corona School.

Jesse Michael,Amaobi Michael,Ogbonna Fredrick, Esiobu Emmanuel and Esiobu Michael from Honeyland College were also invited for the exercise.

Others are International School, University of Lagos’s Adeoye Kehinde, Adeola Taiwo, Adeloye Babajide, Nwachukwu Aham and Ogundipe Morounfoluwa.

Indian School has Pete Savio, Aditya Malhotra, Prabhjeet Kaur, Amrath Bai, Vishal Kirpalani, Shubhta Seth, Arushi Tewari, Deepakshi Khuraria, Rucha Despande, Vijayta Lalwani, Devyani Ahuja, Mmoulya Paramesh, Pooja Wadwani, Vidhisha Paryani, Shristi Aain, while Nigerian Turkish Int’l School is represented by Bobby Kingsley Uranta Others will be coming from Christland College, Engee High School, Whitesands School, Towergate School and Ansar-ud-Deen Grammar School.

—Wale Joseph

The 2005 ladies’ basketball champions, A-1 Challenge have pulled out of the Zone V Club Championships due in Bujumbura, Burundi August 15-21. The team has cited insecurity in Rwanda as reason for pulling out. “We have considered instability in Rwanda due to elections taking place in August. This is an obstacle to our participations considering that half of the players are students,” said the A-1 captain, Gloria Kyomugisha.

The duo of Coaches Sani Ahmed and Adeka Daudu has been named by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF as Head Coach and Assistant Coach of the nation senior men national team, D’Tigers. Speaking to journalists last weekend in Kaduna , President of the NBBF, Tijjani Umar says the two coaches are to tinker D’Tigers for the FIBA Africa Zone-III elimination billed for Lome , Togo next month.

Coach Sani Ahmed was chosen due to his vast experience having served as assistant to Coaches Ayo Bakare and the immediate past foreign coach of the national team, John Lucas, Coach Daudu on the other hand was head coach of Nigeria Junior national team and the two tacticians will have six other countries to contend with for the two spot reserved for the remaining seven countries in zone since Cote d’Ivoire is already through to the final round as 2009 runner-up and host of the 2011 edition of the biggest basketball showpiece in Africa and the 10th All Africa Games.

The qualifiers will be prosecuted mainly by home-based players many of whom featured in the first DStv All-Stars Games last weekend in Kaduna which saw the Atlantic conference running away with a 93-82 point’s victory over its Savannah conference counterpart.

The team is expected to open camp next week in a yet to be named venue ahead of the qualifiers. The Nigerian team will begin camping in Kaduna – north central region of the country - as from July 29 and train through August 7 before the journey to Lome. Sani was an assistant coach to Libya 2009 Afrobasket where Nigeria finished fifth.

Other countries expected at the Togo elimination series includes, host Togo , Liberia , Niger , Benin , Burkina Faso and Ghana .

The national U 18 boys and girls teams will participate in the Fiba Africa championships, a top official has disclosed.Vitalis Gode the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) secretary told the Star that the teams will start training this weekend at different venues ahead of the tournament slated for Egypt and Rwanda. "The teams will take part in the two championships as we have got an assurance from the government." Gode said adding that what KBF is looking for is the money to assemble the two teams for serious training.

The girls will travel to Cairo for the 11th edition of the junior tournament that throws off July 29 to August 6. Defending champions Mali, host Egypt, Nigeria, Mozambique, Tunisia, Angola, Cote d Ivoire, Congo DRC and Senegal.

The boys on the other hand will travel to Kigali next month. Gode said that KBF have named Shimba Hills tactician Philip Onyango and David Maina of St Austins to handle the sides. The same coaches were in charge during the last show.

Kenya teams booked direct tickets to the championships as a result of regional teams pull out of the Zone Five qualifiers earlier scheduled for April due to varied reasons.

Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia all withdrew from the five day tournament earning Kenya direct tickets in both the categories as the only contestants. International referee Juma Kent will accompany the girls team.

In a related development, 17 clubs have so far confirmed entry in the regional club championships that will be staged in Bujumbura, Burundi next month.

Gode, who is also the Zone Five secretary, said that Kenya will be represented by four teams led by defending champions Kenya Ports Authority and Co-operative Bank of Kenya. The other two to fly the flag are national champions KCB Lions and Eagle Wings.

The event will tip off in Bujumbura from August 16-27 and will have four teams each from Uganda, Rwanda and host nation while Tanzania will have one club. Kampala hosted the last championships with a record 19 teams entry.

"So far the entry is very impressive. Wings are the only team to have registered their participation but we expect the rest to follow suit in due course." said Gode.

PORT HARCOURT (DStv Premier League playoffs) - The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has ratified the bid of Royal Hoopers to stage the 2009/ 2010 DStv Premier League playoffs.

According to Nigerian federation president Tijjani Umar, the decision to award the hosting rights of the eight-team playoffs to the Port Harcourt-based side was reached during the NBBF board meeting held in Lagos last Saturday.

"We are glad to announce to the public, especially the basketball faithfuls, that the NBBF have awarded the hosting of this years final-8 playoffs to Royal Hoopers basketball club of Port Harcourt after going through their bid papers," said Umar.

"Staging the playoffs outside Lagos is also part of efforts by the NBBF to make all the cities in Nigeria feel the impact of the playoffs which is usually a festival of sorts and we are happy that Royal Hoopers basketball club came forward to host the event.

"We want to congratulate the management and players of Royal Hoopers basketball club ahead of the playoffs which is coming up in the first week of September 2010, exactly two weeks after the regular season ends in the two conferences."

Royal Hoopers team manager Ifie Ozaka thanked the NBBF for deeming the club fit to host the playoffs and assured that every measure would be taken to stage playoffs the federation will be proud of.

Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa

ABUJA (Afrobasket 2011) - The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has named Sani Ahmed as the coach of the national team, the Tigers.

Sani, who is also the coach of current Nigerian DStv Premier League champions Kano Pillars, is to prepare the national side for the African Nations Cup qualifiers for FIBA Africa Zone 3 that will take place in Lome, Togo from 10th to 15th August. Adeka Daudu is to assist him.

"After due consultations and deliberations by the board, we have selected Sani Ahmed to lead the men's team," said NBBF president Tijjani Umar.

"He will be assisted by Adeka Odaudu and their primary task is to prepare a good team that will qualify for the next African Nations Cup in Ivory Coast."

In Togo, the competition will serve as the qualifiers for both the 2011 Afrobasket and the next All Africa Games. Nigeria will contest only for a place in the Nations Cup having already qualified for the All Africa Games while Ivory Coast will compete only for a place in the latter as the country is the host for the 2011 African Cup.

The Nigerian national team will hold a training camp in Kaduna (north central region of the country) from 29th July until 7th August before making their way to Lome.

Sani was an assistant coach on Libya's national team at last year's Afrobasket, where Nigeria finished fifth.

Pius Ayinor
FIBA Africa

The Tijani Umar-led board of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, has added a new dimension to the game in the country with the staging of All-Stars Match at the Indoor Sports Hall of Murtala Square Sports Complex in Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Stakeholders of the sport have been commending the board for the innovation which they say will further improve the game in the country.

Former President of the federation, Senator U.K. Umar told P.M.Sports that basketball had never had it so good, adding that it could only get better if innovations like the All Stars Match are organised regularly.

Agboola Pinheiro said the sports event shows that the board is heading towards a positive direction. He added that the country can now boast of having a pool of players that can be called up to represent Nigeria at short notice.

He commended the board for the innovation and urged the players to keep working hard to improve their game now that they have a board that is ready to develop the game.

The All-Stars Game, which served as a stop-gap for the one-week break of the NBBF/ DSTV Premier League, was used to create a frontier among players of the two conferences (Atlantic and Savannah ). Atlantic conference went on to win the game by 93-82 points.

The President of the federation, Tijani Umar expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the match and promised that the federation will continue to uphold the importance of the All-Stars Match.

—Wale Joseph

National Basketball League

Saturday

UGB 56- 73 CSK
Ferwaba 67- 65 UNR
KIE 65- 68 Rusizi
Espoir 55-75 APR

Sunday

UNR 80-77 Rusizi

CLIFF Owour believes there is no more rivalry between his APR lions and 2004 champions Espoir following Saturday’s 75-55 mauling at Amahoro’s indoor stadium.

The reigning champions, who endured a shaky start to the season after defeats against UGB and CSK, seem to be back in the groove after Espoir’s win which left them top of the national basketball league for the first time this season.
“Going by our recent meetings, it’s been a one sided contest. We (APR) have been by far the better side so I don’t think it’s fair to continue hyping our matches,” the Kenyan coach reasoned.

Aboubacar Barame, who is back at APR after a one-year stint at Marine, spearheaded the win with a game high 25 points.

Espoir coach Albert Tuyishime was however quick to blame the club’s deteriorating form to inexperience and lack of full time players.
“Most of our senior players have moved on so the team is full of inexperienced players. The few senior players in the side have to balance their jobs with the sport so it is very tricky. They rarely show up for training,” Tuyishime noted.

CSK and Rusizi joined Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) in second place (11 points) after wins over UGB and KIE. CSK thrashed UGB 73-56 while Rusizi were made to work hard for their 68-65 victory over KIE who are still chasing for their maiden win of the season after a devastating run of six defeats on the trot.

In the women league, defending champions APR proved why they have the trophy in their locker after compelling back to back wins over National University of Rwanda (NUR) 88-32 and St. Joseph (85-41).

KADUNA (DStv All-Stars Weekend) - A new development was added to the Nigeria Basketball League at the weekend with the staging of the All-Stars Weekend at the magnificent Murtala Square Sports Complex, Kaduna by the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF).

The All-Stars Game, pitting the best players from the Atlantic and Savannah conferences against each other, took place during the one-week break in the Nigeria DStv Premier League.

The Atlantic Conference won 93-82 and Mohammad Bukar of Dodan Warriors was named the game's MVP.

Bukar and Ebun Comets point guard Yomi Joshua helped the Atlantic Conference get of to a quick start as they took a 30-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Savannah Conference charged back in the second and third quarters to get within 67-65 heading into the final frame.

But head coaches Ogoh Odaudu (Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt) and Mark Balogun (Police Baton of Lagos) brought Shola Alayande into the game and he hit consecutive three-pointers to give the Atlantic Conference some breathing room before Bukar and Joshua closed out the game.

The game was made more special as the League Board of the Nigeria federation approved the use of the modern three-man officiating which on this day consisted of Pierre Ndobegang (Cameroon), Ado Ahmed (Kano) and Ibrahim Hassan (Kaduna), with Bala Usman serving as technical commissioner of the day.

Sunday's action opened with the traditional three-point contest between six players drawn from both conferences with Shola Alayande of the Lagos Islanders clinching the title in superb manner. Alayande had won the event 10 years ago when the All-Stars Game was last held in Lagos.

Next up was the slam dunk contest which also featured six contestants from the two conferences. Mattew Esiegbe took the title thanks to a unique dunk that saw him glide over two players 209cms tall players before jamming the ball in the basket.

NBBF president Tijjani Umar expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the weekend and promised that the federation will continue to uphold the importance of the All-Stars Games.

He appealed to all stake-holders to be up and going while pledging the NBBF's readiness to continue its open-door policy calling on anyone with wider idea on how to continue on the improvement of the game to feel free to approach the federation.

The league resumes this weekend in both conferences as the playoff race hots up.

In the Atlantic Conference, Ebun Comets will try to hold on to their unbeaten record against the Police Batons in Lagos on Friday; Union Bank and Dodan Warriors will battle it out on Saturday and Ebun Comets go up against against Nigeria Customs on Sunday.

In the Savannah Conference, Kada Stars host Yelwa Hawks on Friday while Bauchi Nets travels to Minna to face Niger Potters. AHIP Giants and Kano Pillars will do battle in a local derby on Saturday and on Sunday Plateau Peaks face off against Yelwa Hawks at the sports hall of the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa

ZIMBABWE will be hoping to secure their place at the FIBA African championships when they take on Malawi and favourites Mozambique in Zone Six Under-18 basketball qualifiers at the City Sports Centre today.

The hosts got off to a winning start when they walloped Malawi 105-26 in their opening match on Monday.

The boys will play Mozambique in the morning before taking on the Malawians again in the evening.

The three teams are having to play each other twice to determine who wins the sole ticket to the FIBA Championships which will be hosted by Mozambique later this year.

But it is Mozambique who pose the biggest threat to Zimbabwe;'s hopes of being among the continent's best Under-18 teams.

Zimbabwean teams have always struggled against Mozambican opposition and their coach Laddie Munetsi said they would treat today's match differently from their approach to the tie against Malawi.

"We obviously watched Mozambique and Malawi playing and they have watched us playing.

"We will make a small adjustment on the team because Mozambique are a totally different team from Malawi.

"They have the experience and they have one of the best junior development programmes and we are aware of it.

"We are taking each game as it comes and we are being very cautious as we approach each and every game," said Munetsi.

With Malawi turning out to be the whipping boys having also lost 34-89 to Mozambique earlier on Monday, it is the Zimbabwe against Mozambique encounter that will decide who progresses to the FIBA finals.

This means captain Munyaradzi Gonese, shooting guard Robert Mugabe Jnr, Simba Chitsungwe and Munashe Gwenzi would have to be at their best to overcome the taller Mozambicans.

A tall order also awaits the Girls team, who would have to clear the tough challenge from perennial campaigners Angola.

Zimbabwe and Angola square off at 2pm.

It will be the second meeting between the two sides as they are the only teams competing.

In their first meeting on Monday, Zimbabwe were on the receiving end of a 90-38 defeat by the Angolans.

Girls' coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu while acknowledging that they would have to literally move mountains said he was expecting an improved show by his charges.

"We are trying to work on some of the mistakes and create a positive mind on the players.

"Yesterday (Monday) the girls were not on top of their game, they did not play as a unit.

"We want to build confidence in the players and come up with a combination that will turn the tables.

"We are hopeful that the girls will put up a very good show.
"Usually the first games are tight however, we are going out in full force and do our best because there is still a chance," said Ndlovu.

Team manager Farai Kanyenze also shared the same sentiments with Ndlovu.

"Yesterday (Monday) the girls panicked, it was sort of stage fright because most of them have never played at international level but in terms of skill I think our girls are better and I believe they were just intimidated by the Angolans' height. The girls saw their mistakes and are now working as a team.

"I think they are now motivated because we also pointed their strength to them," Kanyenze said.

Only two teams, one from each category will qualify for the FIBA African Championships.

In commemoration of Malawi’s 46 Independence Anniversary, the Malawi National Basketball Team will play Zimbabwe in two matches slated for July 6 and July 8.

According to a statement signed by Basketball Association of Malawi (BASMAL) Vice Secretary General Mayeso Chirwa, the Zimbabwe team arrives in the Country on Sunday, July 4 for the Tuesday, July 6 game at College of Medicine Sports Complex which will start at 3:00 p.m.

The two teams will meet again in Lilongwe on Thursday, July 8 at the African Bible College Gym from 5 p.m.

Blair Phiri is coach for the Malawi Team which is in camp.

The team comprises Mayamiko Chilongozi, Manson Phiri, Nelson Kanyenda, Chimwemwe Jeremiah, Kumbukani Mithi, Richard Chavula, Chikondi Mwendera, Weluzani Chingota, Alinane Harawa and Titus Phoya.

Others are Takondwa Jana, Emmanuel Kambalame, Wellington Mwafulirwa and Fletcher Mtawali.

After the conclusion of the Western and Central Conferences, eight teams that will compete in the grand finale of this year’s Milo Secondary Schools Basketball Championship have emerged. The finalists comprise of four teams in both boys’ and girls’ categories.

From the Savannah Conference in Kano are boys and girls teams from Adamawa and Kano, while the Atlantic Conference has Ebonyi and Enugu. At the Central Conference, Kwara and Benue emerged, while the Western Conference has Lagos and Delta.

According to the spokesman of Nigeria School Sports Federation, (NSSF), Kudu Biu Omar: “We want to ensure that bona fide students take part in the competition and we will continue to work hard to ensure that cheating is not encouraged. I want to assure that any team that are found wanting will be dealt with. We were indeed impressed with this year’s tourney because of the keen competition among the teams, considering the fact that we had reduced the conference to four from six.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State team, International School Lagos (ISL) are aiming to lift the title come October. The team emerged winners at the finals of the Western Conference held in Ibadan last month. The ISL team have dominated all the basketball championships in Lagos State except for the maiden Dr Olukoya Tourney where they finished as runners-up.

The Akoka team are yearning for more trophies as they aim for the coveted crown of this year’s Milo Secondary School Championship.

This year, the team won the Doregos tourney and the annual Ivy League titles. The Ernest Ijeomah-tutored side reaffirmed their readiness to lift the coveted trophy after beating Ogun State’s Excel College during the final of the Western Conference in Ibadan, Oyo State. The team, which won the Fair Play award as well as the most entertaining team at the 2009 grand finale, believe they will be unstoppable in the Lagos final in October.

“Having picked the ticket for the Western Conference, our focus now is to go all the way and win the trophy for ourselves, the school management, our parents and indeed Lagos State. We don’t want to remain a local champion, but go all the way to win the grand finale. We tried it last year, we could not achieve it, but this year we are ready to give our best to make the school and the state proud. God has been our strength and we will continue to rely on Him,” said Coach Ijeoma.

Former international, Funmi Bamidele, lauded the sponsor, Nestle Plc, for their continued support of the game at grassroots level, saying, “the sponsor should be commended for ensuring the continuation of the annual event. We need more of this, so that we can discover more players from the schools.”

From www.nytimes.com

Basketball star Manute Bol was buried in his family's home town in south Sudan on Sunday and hundreds of mourners paid tribute to the man whose talent took him from the grazing lands of Africa to NBA fame.

Sudan-born Bol, a phenomenon through 10 NBA seasons thanks to his 7-foot, 7-inch (2.31-meter) frame and ability to block opponents' shots, died in a U.S. hospital on June 19 aged 47.

Bol herded his family's cattle in south Sudan as a boy and was spotted playing basketball in Khartoum by a visiting U.S. coach. After his NBA career he continued to focus his time and wealth on humanitarian work in his underdeveloped homeland.

The charity he worked with building schools said the cause of death was kidney failure and a painful skin disease, Stevens- Johnson syndrome, which worsened after his last trip to Sudan during the country's April elections.

A plane carrying Bol's body arrived in south Sudan's capital Juba Saturday. Sunday, members of his extended family and local politicians accompanied Bol's remains on a two-hour plane ride and four-hour road trek to Turalei, his remote home town in the region's Warrap state.

"There are lots of family here, lots of people who loved him very much ... He gave his life for south Sudan," Bol's wife Ajok Deng told Reuters before the burial.

"We are here because he told me 'I want to be buried next to my grandfather'. We're here to go according to his will."

His wife said she was planning to stay in Sudan for a few days with their three sons and one daughter before returning to their U.S. home in Olathe, Kansas.

Hundreds of people from surrounding villages walked to Turalei for the burial and lined the road from outside the settlement right up to his family's mud-walled hut.

Young men carried pictures of the sports star and a local basketball team accompanied the coffin that was lowered into the grave lined with cattle hides.

Locals would continue slaughtering bulls in his honor until Tuesday, as part of the funeral rites that mixed Christianity with Dinka tribal custom, said Bol's brother Nicola, adding: "He will be remembered for all the charity work he did in Sudan."

Bol, who played for Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, is tied for the record as the tallest person to play in the NBA. He also owns the career record for most blocked shots per 48 minutes of playing time.

South Sudan's president Salva Kiir paid tribute to Bol's work during a Catholic requiem mass in Juba Saturday, saying he supported the region during its decades-long civil war with north Sudan.

The oil-producing territory is just over six months away from the scheduled start of a referendum on whether it should split away from Sudan as an independent country, a vote promised under the 2005 accord that ended the civil war.

APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Malawi’s National Basketball team (MNB) will play two matches against Zimbabwe as part of this country’s 46th independence anniversary celebrations on Tuesday and Thursday, APA learnt here Monday.

MNB Coach Blair Phiri said the team, comprising 12 players, has been preparing for the game to show Malawians their talent during the independence celebrations.

"The team is very much prepared and Malawians should expect a win during this friendly game with Zimbabwe," he said.

The Zimbabweans arrived in the country on Sunday for the Tuesday encounter to be played at the College of Medicine Sports Complex in Blantyre and in Lilongwe on Thursday at the African Bible College.

Malawi became independence on 6 July from British colonial rule.

frpm Fiba.com

NAIROBI (Kenyan Premier League) - Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions beat Lomboritz 64-41 at the World Hope Centre on Sunday to remain at the top of the table.
New bankers signing Zaddock Osogo had 16 points while Dennis 'Dike' Opiyo added 13 for the reigning champions, while Charles Kituyi had a dozen to pace winless Lomboritz.

KCB top the league table with 15 points while Posta and Co-operative Bank of Kenya are second and third respectively on 14 and International Christian center (ICC) - who lost in Mombasa - have 13 to round out the top four.

Posta pipped University of Nairobi (UoN) 44-40, with William Ochieng and Fidel Delano combining for 21 of the mailmen's points. Brian Obimbo had nine to pace the students.

Co-op Bank whipped Blazers 86-50 behind Mark Mayieng's 16 points and Brian Busu's 13.
Meanwhile, in Mombasa, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) cruised past visiting International Christian Centre (ICC) 92-59. Dan Okwirri poured in a game-high 17, Musa Odari added 16 and Fred Otieno finished with 11.

Masine Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) handed Strathmore University Blades a 74-56 hammering at the Kakamega Police canteen courts.

Elsewhere, Kenya College of Accountancy University's (KCA) woes continued when they were thumped 47-29 by United States International University (USIU) Flames who were without the suspended Arou Chan.

In the only women's game, leaders Yana dismissed struggling KCA 52-25 in their best start ever to a season that has at the top of the table with only one loss.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa

Kampala

Weekend results
St. Michael 44-79 Marines
Bush Court 38-51 Shooters
Vegetarian 73-57 Sharing
Planets 63-54 Bush Court
Stormers 67-72 Kings
Women
Cubs 26-37 Amazon
Stormers 60-38 Crane High
Nabisunsa 64-51 Bucks

It may not be an ideal situation but Nkumba Marines find themselves in a desirable position as the MTN-Fuba League reached the mid-way point on Saturday.

A 79-44 walloping of St. Michael at YMCA court, Wandegeya, ensured that Marines lurk in sixth on 17 points, just two behind Kyambogo Warriors, who occupy the final play-off position. Point guard Julius Lutwama capped a tumultuous first round, punctuated by a broken finger, with a game-high 22 points.

On a day when Philip Wakimwero blew cold with only two points, Alex Muluya (20), Danson Ngati (12) and Ladislavis Ikungura (8) rose to the occasion for coach Timothy Odeke’s side.

“If you look at our injury situation, our target was to finish the first round in fifth or sixth to give ourselves a chance of fighting for a play-off spot,” Odeke noted.

Results – Friday
Falcons 74-67 UCU
Ndejje 47-63 Miracle
Women
A-1 87-57 Sparks

Another gritty performance from Mountain Dew Falcons proved too much for UCU Canons as the six-time champions earned a deserved 74-67 victory in the MTN-Fuba League at YMCA court, Wandegeya on Friday night.

Related Stories

Loud UCU Canons silence KCC Lions in Fuba League
UCU take on Riders
Kyambogo Warriors hit century
Not only was it UCU’s first defeat of the season but also ensured that Falcons are joint leaders with DMark Power on 21 points as the league hit the mid-way point. It was a complete team performance from Falcons as UCU’s traditional flair was no more as the latter trailed 18-14 and 22-15 in the first two quarters respectively.

They never recovered as their plan to have two men defend inside the paint backfired, forcing the Enabu brothers, Ivan and Jimmy, into early foul trouble. Mike Buzangu’s scored a team-high 17 points for Falcons as Jimmy (8) was ejected in the penultimate quarter whereas Ivan (4) had to contend lots of time on the bench in order to avoid trouble.

Karim Aine Sudi (16), Richard Osano Omondi (12), Biekenvenue Ngandu (10) and Kami Kabange (10) supported Buzangu sufficiently. UCU coach Nick Natuhereza’s pre-match comments that Falcons were the team to beat came to pass as only Robert Mugabe (24) and Geoff Omondi (13) breached the 10-point mark.

As the first round wound down, Falcons must be satisfied with the progress made having been written off as soon as Steven Omony, Eric and Henry Malinga left the team before the start of the season. Earlier, Miracle Eagles beat Ndejje University Angels 63-47, while A-1 Challenge beat Makerere Sparks 87-57 in the women’s division.

Kampala

Today at YMCA
Marines v St. Michael (5.30pm)
Women
Stormers v Crane High (4pm)
Cubs v Amazon (1pm)

Nkumba Marines may be far away from the glory days in the MTN-Fuba League but coach Timothy Odeke is hopeful that reaching this year’s play-offs is a realistic target. Today at YMCA court Wandegeya, Marines wrap up their first round engagements against St. Michael lying in sixth, far from the title winning seasons of 2005 and 2006.
“If you look at the injury situation, fifth or sixth after round one is not so bad. I want us to be in a position good enough to launch a play-off charge,” Odeke said. Division one debutants St. Michael have only won once this season, beating fellow newcomers Berkley.

Odeke’s hopes Julius Lutwama, Philip Wakimwero and Ladslas Ikungura can take this opportunity to raise their confidence after injury spells over the past three months.

Fiston Muhire (with the ball) will be in action today. The small forward now plays for KBC. (File Photo)

National basketball league

Saturday
UGB vs CSK
Ferwaba vs UNR
KIE vs Rusizi
Espoir vs APR

Sunday
UNR vs Rusizi

APR will approach today’s league tie with Espoir in top confidence after Thursday’s 80-56 victory over surprise package Kigali Basketball Club (KBC).

Prior to Thursday, the reigning champions had struggled to find their feet after a run of three wins and two defeats but APR coach Cliff Owuor reckons that the win rejuvenated the side.

“It was a timely win for us. We needed to win but winning against KBC made it more enjoyable for us,” the former Kenyan international noted.

Like APR, Espoir don’t have much to brag about their season after a run of two wins and three defeats. Owour will turn to his in-form center Viateur Vuguziga, whose man of the match display against KBC spurred the indomitable lions to their fourth win of the season.
“We can’t afford to lose another game so we have to play a hard line game; just the way we played against KBC,” Owuor added.

With 10 points, APR is now a point adrift of KBC who have only lost one of their opening six games.

Prior to the APR-Espoir showdown at Amahoro indoor stadium, UGB clash with CSK, Ferwaba take on National University of Rwanda (UNR) while KIE will be plotting for their first win of the season when they entertain Rusizi.

The women league also throws off this weekend at Primature, Kimihurura when reigning champions APR entertain UNR, KIE face ISAE while Karubanda clash with St. Joseph.

Hoops Junior clash with Galaxy Academy on Saturday after the Greater Accra basketball Association released the fixtures for the maiden edition of the J-league.

The inaugural competition is expected to be keenly fought with the various coaches and teams eyeing to make history.

Hoops and Galaxy will meet at the Prison’s Court in Cantonment this weekend before they gather their loins against Dynamics FC on July 10 at the Lebanon House, Tudu in the Accra central business district.

The Cape Coast based side will round of their first round fixtures against a determined Warriors side on the final day of July.

Warriors opened their J-league account last weekend with a comfortable win over Coach Ferrani’s DC Dynamics. They tackle Galaxy on July 17 before

by Anthony A. Stephens http://www.starradio.org.lr

Players of the U-18 male basketball team of the country have expressed serious disappointment in local basketball authorities for their failure to settle their per diems.
The players said since their participation in the recently held FIBA Africa Zone III qualifier, they are yet to receive a dim from local basketball authorities.
The vice captain of the Team Napoleon Nyanfor said the lack of the money was causing financial problem for them.
He however clarified they would remain calm until their benefits were settled.
When contacted, the Secretary General of the Liberia Basketball Federation Fred Pratt confirmed the information but said all was being done to rescue the situation.
Mr. Pratt told Star Sports the LBF has submitted a budget containing the allowance of the players to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and was still awaiting a green signal.

by Anthony A. Stephens

Liberian international basketball star Boakai Lalugba has returned to the French league.

The 29 year old penned one year contract with the Denain Voltaire of the French league one with an option of renewal based on performance.

Boakai Lalugba joins the club from Finnish side Vilpas Vikings where he averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds in 31 minutes of play.
Denain’s coach Marc Silvert described the Liberian as a player who blows the rackets.
Coach Silvert believes the inclusion of the former Helsingborg star player on the team would make them much stronger next season.
France is no strange destination for the big man as he has had sting there before.
The forward spent two seasons at Pro B side JL Bourg where he made a significant impact.
Lalugba averaged 11.6 points and 5.8 rebounds in 59 games during his stay at the French outfit.

The Liberian who is bearing an American passport has also had spells with clubs in Sweden, and the USA.

MTN-FUBA League
Results
Men division 1
Warriors 116 Berkley 56
Falcons 75 Lions 43
Today at YMCA
Men’s division 1
Miracle v Ndejje (6pm)
Canons v Falcons (9pm)
Women:
A1 v Sparks (7.30)

NO one could have predicted this would be a top-of-the-table clash at any point in the FUBA basketball men’s top-flight season, let alone the half-way stage, writes Charles Mutebi.

The UCU Canons had flirted with relegation last year while the Mountain Dew Falcons threatened to disintegrate before the campaign began after losing Steven Omony and brothers Henry and Eric Malinga. Every sign pointed to a hard season for both.

But the Canons signed Jimmy Enabu and resigned Geoffrey Omondi while the Falcons splashed out on 11 signings, eight from the neighbouring states, and the rest is history.

The Canons are unbeaten in 10 matches while the Falcons, who defeated the KCC Lions 75-43 on Wednesday, have won nine and lost one. Today’s victor will finish the first round top.

The two teams employ somewhat different styles, with the Falcons more reliant on a half-court game than the Canons, who thrive on a transition approach.

“The key for us will be to slow them down,” said Falcons coach Michael Mureithi. “They play a fast game and are very good in one-on-one situations. We will have to cut those situations out.”

In the women league, A1 Challenge complete their first round against Makerere Sparks. A1 have won 10 in all while Sparks have lost three.

NAIROBI (Kenyan Premier League) - Reigning champions KCB Lions maintained their place at the top of the Premier League after crushing United States International University (USIU) 85-46 at the Nyayo National Stadium over the weekend.

The Lions got off to a quick start as they took a 17-7 lead by the end of the opening period. They stretched that advantage to 34-19 by halftime and kept on adding to their advantage over the course of the remaining two quarters.

Tobias Onyango had 20 points to pace KCB, who have now won five of their six games so far and have 13 points.

Meanwhile, International Christian Center (ICC) had an equally convincing win over Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) University, beating them 85-49.

KCA trailed 15-13 at the end of the first period and 30-22 by halftime and ICC found their offense after the break, outscoring their opponents 55-27 to run away with a comfortable victory. They found their range, hitting a total of 12 three-pointers.

Griffin Ligare and James Omune combined for 51 of ICC's 85 points. Antonio Bwire paced KCA with 16.

Elsewhere, Posta saw off Masinde Muliro University of Agriculture and Technology (MMUST) 91-72 in a game played at Kakamega Police canteen with William Ochieng collecting 23 and Ben Oluoch adding 21.

Ulinzi thrashed Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 104-34 behind Victor Odendo's impressive 38 points. World Hope got the better of Friends of Basketball (FoB), 72-66, with James Otundo pouring in 23 points.

Trailblazers beat Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) 64-61 behind Shem Otieno's 19 points. Radhi Ndalu managed 14 in the losing effort. Mennonites had 17 points from Steve McOdongo in a low-scoring 49-44 win over Kenya Poly.

On the women's side, reigning champions Eagle Wings thumped Kenya Polytechnic 108-18. Caroline Achieng managed 27 points while Angela Okoth shot 22.

Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa