Basketball in Africa

By Ismail Dhakaba Kigongo (email the author)

Kyambogo Warriors will need to draw into their reserves to hold onto Tanzanian guard Abdullahi Ramadhan and Kenyan forward Martin Okwako following the expiry of the pair’s contracts.

According to the club patron Ambrose Tashobya, he is hopeful of agreeing new deals with the players if the team is to build on the success achieved this season.
“Their contracts expired and we are yet to discuss new ones with them. Hopefully, we can maintain all of them and continue with the same team,” Tashobya told Saturday Monitor.

Big influence
The duo’s influence was felt upon their arrival as Warriors won a maiden MTN-Fuba League title last year only to surrender it to DMark Power seven days ago.

However, Okwako may be a tough nut to crack having joined Uganda Christian University (UCU) as a student making him eligible to feature for Canons.
“Martin has spoken to me and has indicated his willingness to talk. For Dulah, there is still a long way to go. Both players are now home for holidays,” he added.

Unlike the first, the going has been very tough for the foreigners. Whereas Dulah was brilliant before choking when it mattered most in Game Six and Seven, Okwako can only look back at an average season when teams read his post-play.

In the interview, the Fuba president also spoke openly for the first time about the future of coach Gad Eteu whose contract run out and the need for new players.
“I plan to keep the coach only that he’s got to be won over first. On the whole, Warriors performed but didn’t win. “I can confirm that we are trying to sign two Ugandan players with pedigree and a foreigner depending on the future of Martin and Dulah plus a couple of young ones including 15-year old Japheth Hingiro (6ft 7’).”

Though Tashobya didn’t divulge the names being targeted, earlier reports intimated a failed bid to lure Kenyan Richard Osano Omondi who left Mountain Dew Falcons for Miracle Eagles.

This has left Warriors with an interesting prospect of trying to snatch two-time MVP Norman Blick from Power. Warriors want to finish their rota for next season by end of January.