Basketball in Africa

“We had deals before KCC became KCCA but they were all wiped out,” a basketball player, who asked to speak anonymously for fear of reprisal, said. Under the new system, KCCA, which also runs sports teams in football and volleyball among others, ordered players to open bank accounts. “Everyone gets a flat salary. In this day and age, who do you give Shs197, 000 (a month)? That’s not even (enough for) transport,” she added.

“We are all thinking of a strike because I am quite sure the people at the top don’t know about this.” Joy Olinga, the team manager, told us the contrary. “Those players have been paid for all the active months since April,” Olinga, seemingly puzzled by the development, responded.

The Airtel National Basketball League where KCC lie third runs from April to December. The monthly stipend is the fixed pay for sportsmen and women under KCCA and the body’s publicist Peter Kaujju sounded shocked when contacted.

“Are you sure?” Kaujju responded. Daily Monitor understands that players have missed several practice sessions this season over the same issue. “Everyone thinks all is good but no transport money or allowances have been given to us ladies since the beginning of the year,” the source added. However, Daily Monitor established that during the Zone V Club Championship last month, some allowances were paid.

Players got Shs2,000 for the first two days. A further Shs5,000 was paid for the next two, Shs15,000 for the semifinals and Shs7, 000 on August 26 when the tournament climaxed at Lugogo. Things were better under the old KCC, according to some players.
“Those days, we used to get tournament allowances of even Shs400, 000 especially when we travel plus our usual monthly salary,” the player revealed. Until recently, KCC Leopards has been one of the most financially stable clubs in the league.