Basketball in Africa

By Usher Komugisha

BASKETBALL fans will have to pay more to watch their favourite teams at the national league play-offs that start October 29 at Lugogo.

Entrance charges have been raised from sh3,000 to 5,000 while a VIP ticket goes from sh5, 000 to sh10,000.

“We are increasing the costs because the play-offs are starting and we have moved to Lugogo,” was the explanation given by basketball association head Ambrose Tashobya at a press conference in Kampala yesterday.

Tashobya said FUBA has also decided that the revenue amounting to about sh12.5m from gate collections in the second round will be divided among the 41 teams in the league.

The 16 teams playing in this year’s play-offs will also stand to benefit largely from the gate collections, as they will receive 70% of the revenue.

Meanwhile, division one and women’s games will be played at Lugogo while the second and third division games will be played at YMCA courts in Wandegeya.

The UCU Lady Canons face KIU Rangers in the first play-offs women’s tie while Power will host Falcons at Lugogo on October 29.

Tashobya has meanwhile, named three coaches to prepare the national team for the Africa Zone 5 qualifiers that will be hosted in Kampala in February.

Head coach will be Robert Ndamagye assisted by Gad Eteu (Warriors) and Hamza Nyambogo (A-1 Challenge) for the men with Timothy Odeke (KCC Leopards) and Mande Juruni (UCU Lady Canons) for the women.

They will name the national team in the next two weeks.