05 September 2012

KENYA : Rewarded after dumping honeymoon for basketball

Eagle Wings captain Silalei Shani
Eagle Wings captain Silalei Shani

 Updated on 04/09/12 | By AMOS ABUGA

Newly married Eagle Wings captain Silalei Shani says winning the regional tournament in Kampala Uganda was the biggest wedding gift to her from her team mates. Silalei who got married a day before her team travelled to Kampala Uganda for the regional Zone 5 Competition had to cancel all her honeymoon plans to join her team mates in the chase for the regional title.
As one of the leading players in the Kenyan league, Silaei Shani, supported by her long time lover now husband Kabaka Owuor, played a major role in Eagle Wings’ success in Kampala as the club won all their matches including whipping bitter local rivals KPA in the finals.
“Kampala was a wonderful experience for the team and for me in particular. It came immediately after my wedding and I felt something special. The players were composed, we played as a team and everyone was determined to lift the title.” she said.
The reigning Kenyan champions had a slow start to the league this year losing to KPA and early leaders USIU but the captain says they have found their rhythm after learning from their mistakes and are on course towards retaining their title.
“We had a slow start to the league but that happens. The most important thing is how we recovered and I am glad we have managed to shake that off and we are more determined now than ever especially because we have to represent Kenya and the region in Ivory Coast. That challenges us to be at our highest best.” She added.
But the self supported club is faced with a financial problem and must raise over 3.5 Million shillings to facilitate their travel and participation in the tournament that will be held in Ivory Coast in October. Silalei while speaking on behalf of her team mates is appealing to well wishers and friends of sports in Kenya to join hands and finance their trip.
“We have the fighting spirit and we are stronger than before. In 2010 it was heartbreaking not to make it to club championships in Tunisia due to finances. We are praying the same does not happen again. As a team we are promising one thing, that whoever comes in to help, as players we will not disappoint. We shall do our best.”

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