Last Friday, it officially unveiled new sponsors Tiger Head as well as five new signings just weeks before the start of the 2014 season. Amid the excitement and fanfare, Power has put themselves in a win-or-bust situation where anything less than a championship would be seen as failure.
For the past two seasons, Power basketball team has looked over the edge but never having the guts to make the big leap over the cliff. They had that embarrassing 2012 campaign where UCU Canons stopped them at the quarterfinals and last year when defending champions City Oilers made a fool out of them in the semis.
Such shortcomings are the reason why Power pulled all the stops to secure a 'championship winning squad.'
They got a major boost when Tiger Head batteries came on board to bankroll the team and with the hefty sponsorship fee, Power went into the market to capture the crème de la crème as well as two top prospects.
Power management broke the bank to get Ivan Enabu, Phillip Amenyi and Adbullahi Ramadan while Moses Olobo and Francis Odom have been tipped to be future stars.
"We have been having a lot of indiscipline problems but as management, we have sorted out ourselves," says club president Patrick Omera. "At the moment Bernice Ankunda (Power coach) has one option... win the championship or be fired."
THE National Basketball League (NBL), which was scheduled to start from Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, has been rescheduled to April 12, next month.
Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Secretary General Saleh Zonga told the 'Daily News on Saturday' that the event has been rescheduled to enable more teams to confirm their participation in the tournament, which for the first time will be an open event.
"We have been forced to delay the event for two weeks so as to enable more regional teams to take part in the event," Zonga said, adding that the tournament is expected to involved over 20 teams from all over Tanzania Mainland.
He named some of the teams which has already confirmed their participation in the event as Vijana 'City Bulls,' ABC, Chui, Don Bosco, Oilers, Chang'ombe, JKT, Jogoo and Kurasini Hits for men's category.
Women category has Don Bosco Lioness, Jeshi Stars and JKT all from Dar es Salaam, while other teams from Arusha, Tanga, Mbeya, Morogoro, Tabora, Iringa, Shinyanga, Dodoma, Mara, Lindi and Kagera are expected to make their confirmation after the rescheduling of the event.
"We are expecting more teams from upcountry to confirm their participation in the NBL and they should make necessary preparations for the event," said Zonga.
According to Zonga, winners of the tournament in both men and women categories will battle with their colleagues from Zanzibar for the tickets to represent the country in the Zone Five tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Mombasa, Kenya in August, this year.
NBL reigning champions for men's category are ABC and ladies category holders are Don Bosco Lioness. Meanwhile, three Tanzanians youngsters are expected to jet off to United States early next month after grabbing a scholarship to attended further basketball training and higher studies.
According to TBF the scholarship programmes have been made possible by the former national basketball team coach from US Albert Sokaitis.
PLS Hawks defended their Curtain-raiser title on Saturday at the Victoria Gymnasium in front of a large crowd by defeating Baya 73-57, while Mont Fleuri were unlucky once again this year as they lost 45-50 to HotShots.
HotShots edge Mont Fleuri
In Saturday’s women’s final, last year’s runners-up Mont Fleuri met HotShots who defeated 2013 winners Anse Etoile Stars in the semifinal.
HotShots looked a little unsure during the first quarter which ended in Mont Fleuri’s favour with a score of 11-8, but the players of coach Philip Arissol started stronger in the second and managed to outscore Mont Fleuri. They scored 17 points and Mont Fleuri got 12 to lead 25-23 at half-time.
Mont Fleuri started the third quarter with a 3-pointer by Williana Dubois, but the score stayed close as HotShots led 38-36 at the end of 30 minutes of play.
With victory on their minds, the HotShots players made sure of committing fewer mistakes and scoring more baskets to win the fourth quarter 12-9 and the game 50-45. HotShots’ Tina Agathine led all scores with 13 points. HotShots coach Philip Arissol said he is happy with how his players performed although they did not work out their plays as they should. “The Curtain-raiser tournament has given me the opportunity to see what I have to work on for the league championship which is to start soon,” added coach Arissol. As for his counterpart Tony Juliette he had this to say: “Our defence wasn’t good. What we worked on in training we did not implement during the game, and we did not perform the plays we worked on.” Commenting on Mont Fleuri losing the Curtain-raiser final for a second year in a row, coach Juliette said this tournament is a preparation for the league championship. “I’m confident Mont Fleuri will do well this season,” he added.
PLS Hawks retain title
PLS Hawks are once again the winners of the pre-season Curtain-raiser tournament. If they narrowly defeated MBU Rockers 96-91 in last year’s final and eliminated them in the semifinal this time, PLS Hawks earned a comfortable 73-57 victory over Baya in Saturday’s final. Baya’s Marcus Victor scored the first basket of the game and Timmy Adam had a good start, scoring eight points including a two-handed slam on an alley-oop in the first quarter, but their team trailed 14-19. Hawks began the second quarter with a strong defence, whereby they forced Baya to make a number of turnovers which they turned into basket as Baya failed to score for nearly seven minutes. Although Baya scored 12 points in the final three minutes of this quarter, PLS Hawks were much stronger and they led 33-26 at half-time. PLS Hawks stepped on the accelerator in the third quarter as Baya looked disorganised with stray passes. As coach Clifford Joubert gave most of his players playing time, Baya were lost in confusion and they were outscored 21-10 (54-36 after 30 minutes of action). Baya tried to bring the game to the Hawks and closed the game to 10 points but this is the best they could do although their supporters brought their vocal support. Although Adam got 10 of his team’s 21 fourth-quarter points, it was too little to stop them from losing as the Hawks got 19 to win the 73-57 to send their fans in raptures. PLS Hawks’ veteran power forward Jim Domingue felt that his team played well and were able to destabilise Baya early in the game. “Although we started training a bit late for the tournament, we were still able to defend the title which shows that all the players worked hard. PLS Hawks are looking forward to the 2014 league competition, and we know that all the other teams will be looking to bring us down,” said Domingue. Baya’s coach Michel Malbrook said his players lost the game because they weren’t consistent in defence and attack. “We were unable to score easy lay-ups and free-throws and it cost us dearly in the end. The 2014 season is going to be a tight, competitive season, and that’s why I feel that we need to work on all aspects of our game in order to be ready to challenge for the titles on offer,” said coach Malbrook.
Adam finished as the game’s top scorer with 26 points.
The cups were handed out by Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton in the presence of National Sports Council chief executive Giovanna Rousseau and Seychelles Basketball Federation chairperson Sheila Ah-kong.
KENYA : Shimba Win Big As Kaya Tiwi Set Stage for Battle
Shimba Hills started their basketball title defence on a winning as the Coast regional secondary schools ball games got underway yesterday. Shimba mauled St. John's Girls from Kaloleni Giryama 141-16 during their opening match played at the Aga Khan Academy basketball court.
Shimba Hills boys were not to be left behind as they emulated their girls to dismiss Mombasa Baptist 57-27. Kwale's Kaya Tiwi girls beat Bura from Taita/Taveta 66-22 at the same venue.
Kaya Tiwi boys also dismissed hosts Aga Khan 56-37. They won the first quarter 10-05, took second quarter 12-10 and went on to wrap the match 16-17 for the third quarter and 18-05 in the final. Kaya Tiwi is coached by their Principal Robert Aran who left Shimba Hills early last year.
ANGOLA : 1º De Agosto Beat Libolo and Reach Angola Basketball Cup's Final
1º de Agosto qualified on Friday for the final of Angola basketball cup, after defeating Recreativo do Libolo by 102-76, in the second leg match of the referred competition.
In the first half the match, played at Luanda's Dream Space, 1º de Agosto were already winning by 43-29.
In the first leg match, 1º de Agosto had lost to Recreativo do Libolo by 87-95 at Luanda's Victorino Cunha arena.
1º de Agosto will face in the final Petro de Luanda who ousted ASA on Friday in the other semi-final by 78-71.
The first and second leg matches of the final will be played on 15 and 18 April, respectively.
SEYCHELLES : Curtain-raiser finals: Hawks meet Baya in men’s final
*HotShots face Mont Fleuri in women’s game
Defending men’s Curtain-raiser champions PLS Hawks will contest the men’s final once again this year and will face the tough challenge of Baya this afternoon.
Coach Michel Malbrook’s Baya were the first to book their place in the final when they defeated Victoria Shooters on Tuesday. A 25-point contribution from Timmy Adam helped Baya ease to a 104-45 victory over the newly formed Shooters. Baya made the difference in the fourth quarter when they capitalised on their opponents’ fitness to score a massive 44 points. Benjamin Henriette led the scores for Shooters win 14 points. As for PLS Hawks, they faced a tough task as they came up against an MBU Rockers side who had eliminated Premium Cobras on their way to the semifinal. In the match played on Thursday, it was a close high-scoring affair and Hawks eventually managed to squeeze through with a 94-89 victory. It was Hawks’ Rodney Lozé and Rockers captain Nigel Sinon who led the game in scoring with 28 points apiece. Wilby Domingue added a further 23 for the Hawks as they now face the task of defeating Baya to claim their first trophy of the season. The Hawks are without last season’s player of the year Alao Solomon for this season, and they are already proving that they were not a one-man team as they continue to show why they claimed all titles on offer last season. Baya meanwhile, will be hoping to stop the defending league champions as they aim to get their season off to the best possible start with a challenge for the title surely expected from them. It should prove to be a very exciting affair which basketball fans must not miss this afternoon.
As for the women’s final, the battle will be between last year’s SBF Cup winners Mont Fleuri and HotShots. Mont Fleuri booked their final berth with a 49-44 victory over defending league champions Anse Etoile Stars.
Meanwhile, HotShots had a much easier passage into the final as they claimed an 88-17 victory over BV Sonics after earlier defeating the newly formed Bel Air side in the quarterfinal. It should be another entertaining final during which both teams will be looking to assert themselves early on to show that they will be the main challengers for the league title this season after the many changes that have occurred in women’s basketball this year.
The finals will be played today at the Victoria Gymnasium, with the ladies’ match starting at 3pm, followed by the men’s at 4.30pm.
Last year, PLS Hawks ran out lucky 96-91 against MBU Rockers to retain the men’s title, while Anse Etoile Stars dethroned Mont Fleuri with a 53-45 win in the women’s game.
For the second time in succession the Ganta United Methodist School has lost the reactivated Upcountry National Basketball Championship. The gold and blue boys from Ganta City, Nimba County bowed 47-50 points to Margibi-based Booker Washington Institute or BWI on Sunday, 25 November in the grand final of the competition.
The two day tournament was staged at the William V.S Tubman Gray United Methodist High School Gymnasium in Gbarnga, Bong County. Ganta United Methodists, who are giants of the game in Nimba, similarly lost the gigantic trophy last year when they suffered defeat at the hands of Catholic-run St. Martin’s High School. The Booker Washington Institute, who reached the final thru a protest filed against St. Martin’s after losing a semifinal match to them proved too tough for the Methodists in a match that drew huge spectators. The Upcountry National Basketball Championship, exclusively organized for high schools across the country was introduced here by a team of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers. The game was famous in Liberia some years back as a talent-hunt event for top-notch basketball teams participating in the National Club Championships in Monrovia.
Under the administration of former Youth and Sports Minister Tornolah Varpilah, the Liberian Government partnered with the Liberia Basketball Association to re-launch the tournament. The re-launch is credited to Dr. Harold McGowan, a legendary Peace Corps volunteer, who inaugurated the tournament about three decades ago. Eleven selected schools from six counties competed for the top prize. Counties whose schools participated in the tournament included, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Margibi, Grand Bassa, Nimba and Bong.
Participating schools were: Suah Memorial, Grand Gedeh; Booker Washington Institute, Margibi; Zorzor Central High, Lofa; and Ganta United Methodist,Nimba. Others were: Bishop Juwle, Grand Gedeh; Gboveh High, Bong; and William V.S Tubman Gray, Bong; host. The remaining schools included: St. Martin’s (2012 winners & defending Champions /Bong); St. Mary’s Nimba; Voinjama Multilateral High, Lofa; and W.L. Brumskine High, Grand Bassa.
The Upcountry Basketball National Championship aims to promote sports in rural communities, where players have little or no opportunity of participating in the National Club Championships in Monrovia.
LIBERIA : Dennis High Overwhelms B. W. Harris 38-31
By: Alvin Worzi
Despite the lack of student-spectators at the Sports Commission last Tuesday, March 11, on Broad Street, Henri Wilmot Dennis United High School did not feel unsupported and went ahead to defeat B.W. Harris 38-31 points.
The game was dominated by Henri Wilmot Dennis’ basketball squad and forced their opponents to trail.
Wilmot High’s tormentor-in-chief was forward Vaifee Sirleaf who made sure that his school won the game. The Tuesday March 11 encounter was in continuation of the Inter High School League.
Vaifee Sirleaf made 19 points and he was evidently the man of the match and team-mates Barry Tequah made seven points and Tarnue Nyanquoi made point.
In the second encounter Monrovia College defeated Bethesda 32 -16 points
Makerere (with ball) obliterated IUIU 90-3 last weekend. PHOTO BY A. BABIRYE That things have to get worse before they get better is a cliché overly used that one is tempted to avoid unless when discussing IUIU Mbale.
The university has appeared miles behind most of the other teams in the Zuku University Basketball League.Its men’s team lost 20-0 to MUK while the ladies team did not fare any better with the same university inflicting more damage with a 90-3 thrashing last weekend. While improvement is expected, it is unlikely to come in today’s encounter against hosts UCU today in the latest round of games.
The Mukono-based side possesses a number of National Basketball League players and will be favourites to claim victory in the last game of the evening. Ndejje University, another side with experienced players such as Geoffrey Soro and James Okello will also be expected to build on last week’s 71-37 blow-out victory over St. Lawrence.
The Bombo based side play Cavendish University, who are yet to feature in the conference games but triumphed 54-35 in the out of conference games against UMU last week .
Uganda Christian University will be the host of match-day four of the Zuku University basketball league that will go down this Saturday. Kampala University and Cavendish ladies' teams open up with an early morning fixture.
'We are ready for the battle and challenge. It is a good test that is opening us up to new things". Kampala University Administrator Christine Kide told The Observer.
Cavendish University, 54 - 35 winners over Uganda Martyrs' University (UMU) Nkozi last weekend, will feature next though they face an uphill task as they take on the unbeaten Ndejje University.
Walker Obedi, Ndejje University head coach, boldly asserts that he will take the fixture like any other competitive game.
"We can't afford to falter. We respect all our opponents and will approach the game with a great strategy," Obedi says.
Ndejje will rely on the services of forward James Okello and Geoffrey Soro. Hosts UCU are expected to give the fans a bit of comic relief that they have been exhibiting in the previous fixtures when they take on Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU).
Nick Natuhereza, head coach at UCU, will use the fixture to boost the confidence and fitness of his squad ahead of the Fuba campaign that kicks off next month. UCU will rely on the expertise of forwards Jonathan Egau and Amos Okello Okongo who have been in terrific form since the university league began.
However, despite it being evident that Natuhereza will not break a sweat to get the victory, he says: "Sometimes, it is not good to underrate a team. It all happens and ends on the court."
Saturday fixtures:
Men:
Ndejje v Cavendish (10am)
K.U v Cavendish (12pm)
MUK v IUIU (2pm)
UCU v IUIU (4pm)
Women:
KU v Cavendish (10am)
Ndejje v Cavendish (2pm)
KENYA : Players kick-start association registration
Players at a past league match.(Photo:SNA File)
Local basketball players have officially began the process of registering their association, only a week after the resolution was passed at the Kenya Basketball Federation annual general meeting.
During the meeting, the players had to stage a walkout in protest and got a reprieve when their demands were met.
The players association, once fully registered and operational, will join the KBF Referees Association and the Kenya Basketball Coaches Association which are already in existence.
“The association will cater for the welfare of players in the league.The players association will be represented in the AGM sitting with one vote and shall pay affiliation fee to the Federation as stipulated in the constitution,” read part of the resolutions contained in the AGM minutes held last week.
The interim officials led by Rojaz Too and Denis Opiyo have already sent a notice to all teams to supply information key to the realization of the association.
Initially, the association targets players from the women and premier league teams with a longterm plan to bring together all basketball players right from the grassroots.
The players, who felt to have been neglected for long in the running of the league, will also play a critical role in designing of league fixtures.
The association will appoint a representative who will sit in the fixtures committee alongside other stakeholders. New season to begin in April
Resolutions of the AGM also affected the new season calendar which was slated to begin this weekend and opening fixtures already released.
However, the season will now commence on April 5 to allow time for the league committee come up with new fixtures. Initially, the league rules had been changed to include conferences but that proposal attracted opposition from many teams.
Critics said the new format would render the league weak by limiting players to few matches. During the AGM, it was recommended that the league format returns to the old format without the conferences and should be more competitive and with more games.
The conferences will, however, remain in the constitution for administrative purposes.
Additionally, the federation is expected to take more games outside Nairobi in strengthening the conferences. The new season will see the inclusion of ten new teams across the three leagues from the traditional twelve to promote competition.
The men premier will welcome four teams, two in the women premier and four in division one.
RWANDA : Hoops league: CSK target crucial win over APR
Today CSK vs APR - 6pm Saturday (KIST Court)IPRC vs Rusizi - 2pmUGB vs UR-Huye - 4pm (Kimisagara)Espoirvs UR-CE - 2pmAPR vs Kigali - 4pm Sunday (KIST)UGB vs Rusizi - 9amIPRC-Kigali vs UR-Huye - 11am (Kimisagara)30-Plus vs Gisenyi - 10am (CSK Court)CSK vs UR-CE - 11amEspoir vs KBC - 1pm
CERCLE SPORTIF de Kigali (CSK) head coach Janvier Kamanzi is keen to win the national basketball league game against APR at Cercle Sportif de Kigali court in Rugunga.
The 2011 league champions, host the second-placed APR seeking to register their fifth win of the campaign in six games. APR are in second position with 13 points, one behind reigning champions Espoir from seven games.
Kamanzi knows a win will keep his team in a good position for the regular season title or at least to finish in the four playoff spots.
Last season, APR finished in third position, behind Espoir and KBC, while CSK finished in fourth position.
“It’s a crucial game as far as our ambitions for the season are concerned. We need to win this game to climb up the table and close the gap on the top team vying for the title,” Kamanzi told Times Sport yesterday.
His counterpart, Cliff Owuor said, “We know we are facing a strong team, but it is better to play against the best teams. It helps you know what you’re capable of.”
The league will continue on Saturday, when Jean Bahufite’s Espoir take on University of Rwanda College of Education at Kimisagara youth sports centre, seeking to extend their unbeaten record in regular league season for over two seasons.
Basketball powerhouse, Troopers have won the Basketball Association League national championships. The team, which has been looking to reclaim their title all season after suffering a loss at the hands of their opponents Spartans last season, kept their eyes on the prize and walked away with medals and bragging rights this past weekend. The games were held at the new BNYC indoor hall in Gaborone.
The league secretary and Spartans’ player Peter Ubakar informed Gazette Sport that the league turned out better than they had expected as teams attended all their games and participated. After being the first team in the tournament to proceed to the finals last week, Troopers emerged with a narrow 56-51 win against Spartans in the first game of the series before proceeding to take the title after a tough battle which saw Troopers win with a close 6 point lead in the final score of 64-58.
Having lost only one game in the league thus far, Troopers have stamped their authority throughout the tournament following a 19-match unbeaten run. Troopers coach William Nyangu shared with Gazette Sport that preparation was key. “We treated every game with the same respect no matter who we played. Another important element to our games was balancing the older and more experienced players with the younger ones so that no one gets tired or worn out. I used a total of 21 players throughout the tournament and that is a very large number but it worked out for us at the end of the day.” Commenting on the team’s winning formula, Nyangu said “we had to step up our defense and block our opponents from scoring and not make it easy for them to score. We managed to contain the Spartans’ main scorer even!”
Meanwhile, in a thrilling game BDF V ladies escaped with a narrow 50-46 win against Police ladies in the first game of the series. BDF V ladies were set to win game 2 until Police ladies turned up the heat and thrashed the team with a 69-44 win in the second game. But the BDF V highfliers came back in top form during the third game and emerged the ladies champions after beating Police again with 66-59 points.
Sacré champion des clubs de Bujumbura, le club Urunani s’est imposé sur son rival d’antan, New star, sur un score de 79 points contre 62,ce dimanche 23 mars, au terrain de Gikungu.
La course vers la victoire des play offs a été longue pour Urunani. A la veille du triomphe, les bleus blancs ont été surpris par New star, ce samedi 22. Dimanche, les amateurs du ballon orange se sont régalés. Sous un ciel ensoleillé de la capitale en cette période de la petite saison sèche, Les deux formations ont affiché un bon match. Les deux premières quart-temps personnes ne pensaient qu’Urunani allait remporter la victoire. A la mi-temps New star était en avance des trois points. De retour des vestiaires, le match change de donne. Urunani bien décidé d’en découdre avec New star se montre plus offensant. Blaise rapide et Willy avec ses passes font la différence. Elvis Hakizimana, dit Gafyisi, pénètre le bloc New star et déstabilise la défense. Et Landry le pivot d’Urunani vient anéantir New star avec ses contre attaques.
Le coach se réjouit de ce sacre. « Bien sûr tout n’a pas été rose…d’ailleurs il n’y a pas de rose sans épines. Hier nous avons été surpris par New star qui nous a battu », martèle Aaron Kagabo, coach d’Urunani. L’entrainement au quotidien est notre secret, se félicite Kagabo.
Elvis Hakizimana d’Urunani souligne que l’arbitrage de ce samedi n’était pas bon. Mais rappelle que la volonté de remporter la victoire dominait tout.
Plus de 90 points est la totalité des points encaissé par New star dans les 4 matches joués contre Urunani. En attendant le début du championnat national qui débute d’ici peu, « Nous avons une trêve … juste le temps de nous reposer car nous savons que New Star ne dort pas… », martèle-t-on dans dans les rangs de l’Urunani.
By ‘Mamohlakola Letuka MASERU — The Lesotho Basketball Association (LBA) is set to hold a two-day referees’ course at Lesotho High School this weekend. The training, according to one of the organisation’s officials Sekhoane Moshabesha, begins on Saturday and is meant to prepare the officials ahead of the 2014 season which begins on March 29. “The aim of the course is to refresh the knowledge of those who are currently on our books and also impart the rules and regulations of the game to those that will be embarking on a career in basketball-officiating,” Moshabesha said. Moshabesha further said the association would want to have the officials in tip-top condition when the league gets underway in a week’s time. “We are trying to attract more people into the sport, which is why the clinics are going to be open to anyone who is interested in basketball. “If more people know about the rules of the game, there will be fewer conflicts at matches, thereby attracting more people to come and watch and also be part of the sport.” Moshabesha also noted the training would ensure there are enough officials for the high schools league, which covers the whole country. The weekend clinic, he added, also seeks to convince basketball enthusiasts to volunteer their services since the LBA has no funds to pay officials. “That is one of the reasons why there are so few people willing to offer their time, but we are hoping this clinic will motivate the officials to volunteer.” - See more at: http://lestimes.com/?p=15841#sthash.tqzSEOKI.dpuf
NIGERIA : Zenith Bank Basketball League - First Deepwater Cruise Past Immigration
First Deepwater of Lagos showed the stuff of champions at the ongoing 2014 Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League in Abuja as they cruise past Nigerian Immigration Club 80-29 on Tuesday.
The win means the team has picked maximum points from all its four matches at the first phase of the league which started in Abuja on March 21 and will end on March 29.
The 10th edition of the league, which is now in its first phase, is holding at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Abuja National Stadium. The match saw First Deepwater displaying their superiority from the start, with the first quarter ending 18-6. They went ahead to garner 19 points in the second quarter while Immigration had just eight, and they secured 22 points in the third quarter as they ran over their opponents.
Yesterday was rest day for all the teams. Speaking at the end of the match, Coach of First Deepwater, Lateef Erinfolami, restated the team's commitment to retain the National Female Basketball League title.
"We have already said it, that we are trying to retain the cup. This is the first phase and we have been picking up with each game. "Although, we have new players in the team, but they have started to understand us more and they have gained confidence," Erinfolami told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He however added that the team did not feel challenged by any of the clubs in the league.
"There is nothing really extraordinary in this first phase, so we want to take the opponents as they come. "But, we don't feel challenged with the teams here because we have both the experienced and young players," the coach said. He said his side was already toughened by experience and was ready for the challenge, even as it was not going to underrate any of its opponents. "We have faced tougher opponents when we represented the country at the continental level. But, irrespective of that, no opponent is weak.
"So, we will not underrate anybody. I don't underestimate any of the teams because you shouldn't rate any opponent until you play them to assess them," Erinfolami said. The coach however said only four clubs could give his team a good fight, even though he was still confident they could overcome them. "We have only four or five teams that can give us a good game on a good day here. But I still have confidence that we will retain our title.
"I am sure teams like Dolphins, First Bank, Sunshine Angels and Customs will give us a tough time, but we won't give them the chance," Erinfolami said. The team had thrashed Taraba Hurricanes 71-14, Delta Force 63-35 and GT 2000 82-29 in their first, second and third Group A matches respectively. The league's second phase will hold in Ilorin in April before the final eight play-offs in Lagos later in the year.
DAY SEVEN FIXTURES
First Deep Water v Oluyole Babes 7am
Dolphins v First Bank 9am
Sunshine Angels v IGP Queens 10am
FCT Angels v Customs 12pm
Delta Force v Immigration 1pm
AHIP Queens v Benue Queens 3pm
Taraba Hurricane v GT 2000 4pm
Coal City v Plateau Rocks 6pm
Tunis — Draw for the quarter-finals of Tunisia's basketball Championship made Wednesday:
Men's seniors:
C. Africain - AS Cimenterie de Bizerte
AS Megrine - JS Kairouan
US Monastir - Etoile du Sahel
Ezzahra Sport - S. Nabeulien
Women's seniors
Zitouna Sport - ASF Jammel
S. Tunisien - CS Police de Circulation
CSF Bizerte - CS Sfaxien
ES Cap Bon - Al-Hilal Sport
JOGOO suffered their second successive defeat at the hands of classy Savio in the ongoing Ilala District basketball league. Savio claimed a 68-58 win in the league's second leg match played on Monday evening at Don Bosco ground in Dar es Salaam.
Savio humbled Jogoo 82-75 in the first leg tie at Zanaki Secondary School ground. The win means a lot to Savio, who lost a match to Vijana 'City Bulls' in the first leg of the six-team tournament that winds up on Saturday.
The mighty Savio started very well and led 19-10 in the first quarter, but were down to 13-19 in the second to allow Jogoo to close the gap to 32-29 at the breather.
Savio added 15 points against Jogoo's seven in the third quarter and sealed the score with 21-22 in the final quarter. Mohamed Yusuph scored 14 points, while Amini Mtambo and Romanus Annania added six each.
But it was Jogoo's Haruna Saringo who counted more points -- 21 -- which were, however, not enough to help his team revenge the first leg defeat.
Stephen Mshana and Kayumba Maregesi hit 15 and 10 points respectively. Vijana 'City Bulls' had to fight hard to record a 49- 48 win over Magone in a closely contested match.
The game was totally different to that of the first leg which last year's Tanzania representatives to the FIBA Africa Zone Five basketball championship Vijana easily won 104-73.
This time around, underdogs Magone went head to head against Vijana before losing narrowly with a point adrift.
ANGOLA : Libolo Beat Away 1º De Agosto for Angola Cup
Recreativo do Libolo defeated away on Tuesday 1º de Agosto by 95-87, in the first leg match of the senior males basketball semi-finals of Angola cup.
The second leg match will be played on Friday at Dream Space in Viana municipality.
The other semi-finals match was played between Petro de Luanda and ASA.
ANGOLA : 1º De Agosto and Libolo Scramble for Cup Final
Luanda — 1º de Agosto and Recreativo do Libolo will seek to qualify for the final of the Angola men basketball cup with the first leg match of the semi-final on Tuesday in Luanda .
This is after the two teams played the first round match of the second phase of the National Championship, in which the central Cuanza Sul-based side (Recreativo do Libolo) ended in the first position and the Luanda's team came second.
In the current season, 1º de Agosto and Libolo came face to face six times, with Recreativo do Libolo winning five, three of which at the national championship (94-89, 83-75 and 78-69), one at Victorino Cunha Cup (78-69) and one at the zone phase of the African Cup Winners Cup (57-56), having lost one (66-78).
ANGOLA : Libolo Unbeaten in First National Basketball Round
Luanda — With four victories, the same number of games, Recreativo do Libolo ended the first round of second phase of National Male Basketball Championship, leading with 8 points.
After winning the first phase with record of 17 victories in 18 games, the team of central Cuanza Sul province is the main candidate to the title.
The first round classification ended on Saturday group A:
1º Libolo 08 points
2º 1º de Agosto 07
3º Petro de Luanda 06
4º Interclube 05
5º Lusíadas 04
NIGERIA : First Deepwater Have All It Takes to Retain Title
First Deepwater Basketball Club of Lagos, the title-holders in the Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League, has said they have all it takes to win the competition again this year. The club's head coach, Lateef Erinfolami, said yesterday in Abuja that the club had prepared very well for the competition and he was looking forward to retaining the title.
Erinfolami told NAN that his team's resolve and determination were shown in their 77-14 defeat of Taraba Hurricane of Jalingo on Saturday. First Deepwater, winners of the league in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 seasons, had on Saturday joined the fray at the competition, a day after Friday's opening ceremony. Erinfolami said his players were in good shape and in high spirits, and were ready to take on any team in the competition. "My girls are fully prepared and ready to lift the trophy again, and this showed in the way we played in our first match on Saturday and beat our opponents.
"I am so happy that my players are all in good shape, healthy and with no record of injury," he said. The coach, however, said he had cautioned the players not to allow being three-times champions get into their heads and begin to underrate other teams in the competition. "I am sure that other teams in the competition will come out strong to contest for the trophy too, and this is why I have charged my players to remain focused," he said. 16 clubs are involved in the competition's first phase, holding from March 21 to March 29 in Abuja, with the second phase slated for Ilorin in April.
Meanwhile, Coach Emmanuel Odah of the FCT Angels has attributed the team's current good form at the ongoing 10th Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League to early preparations. Odah told NAN on Sunday in Abuja after FCT Angels beat Plateau Rocks 60-45 in their second match of the 2014 edition of the league. While the first quarter ended 10-15 in favour of Plateau Rocks, the FCT Angels stormed back in the second quarter to dominate the game. They garnered 13 points while Plateau Rocks had only five points, for a 23-20 scoreline at the break. The Abuja side went on to shore up their dominance in the third quarter with 25 points, while Plateau Rocks could only register 14 points for the quarter to end 48-34. "We have been in camp for about three weeks and this is the longest camp we have ever had since we started playing in the Zenith League. "We have been working hard, although we are not satisfied with our present form because this is a new team. Some of our players left to go to school in the U.S. "So, we had to fill that gap as soon as possible, which was difficult for us though," Odah said. He noted that the poor start of the team in its game against Plateau Rocks was as a result of technical mistake. "The mistake we made in the first quarter was a technical one, because we did not detect on time that we were playing to the opponent's pace.
"Normally, we do not play half court. We run the ball. So, in the second quarter, we started doing what we know how to do best, which is running the ball and it worked for us. "Plateau Rocks players are bigger than ours and their guards are more experienced than our guards, but we just overcame them because they nearly took the game," Odah said. On the team's next match against Benue Queens, the FCT Angels coach said the team would take each match at a time and play according to the rhythm of the game. "We will take the matches as they come, which is one step at a time, just like we did today. "We will wait and see what happens in the next match, then we (will) take it from there," he said. On his part, the coach of Plateau Rocks, Alex Guwan, said that the weather affected his players. "Most of my players fell sick after our first match on Saturday and this affected our performance. "Although, we started Sunday's match on a good note, we are not used to this hot weather. "It was the weather which made them (the players) fall ill and though they are better now, it is still affecting them," he noted. In the other matches played earlier on Sunday, First Bank of Lagos mauled Coal City of Enugu 97-18 while Benue Queens fell 42-53 to Nigeria Customs. Also, Oluyole Babes beat Taraba Hurricanes 65-47 while IGP Queens from Abuja, beat Immigration of Lagos 58-36.
TANZANIA : Prisons Snatch First Victory in Ilala Basketball League
TANZANIA Prisons recorded their first victory at the ongoing Ilala District Basketball League against Mogone at the Zanaki Secondary School ground in Dar es Salaam on Friday.
Prisons grabbed their first two points in the league after thrashing their rival Magone 74-65 in the tough match.
The match was tough for each team from the start. Prisons went ahead to win the first quarter 14-9 but found themselves down 10-14 in the second to make the game even tough after interval when Prisons recorder a narrow 24-23 lead.
In the third quarter, Tanzania Prisons added 14 points while Magone in sparking form, fought back and their efforts paid back with 19 points.
Magone could not strengthen their grip at final quarter to allow Tanzania Prisons to fire exciting 36-23 points and seal the victory.
In-form Justin Mkama scored 17 points for Tanzania Prisons and took four rebounds during the match to help his team, as Abel Rikosi also hit 17 points. Alex George scored seven points, who had 15 rebounds and eight points came from Samwel Singe.
Top scorers for Magone were Isiaka Masoud -12 points and he was instrumental for his team with string of good passes. Alex Mbwana and Joseph Luzangi scored 11 and 8 points respectively.
In another match, Savio were awarded two points without a fight after their opponent Airwing failed to turn-up for the match.
The results helped Savio to strengthen their league lead with eight points from four matches. However, they had big test to their skill later on the day against Vijana 'City Bulls' who are also yet to drop a point.
Vijana took maximum six points from three matches against Airwing, Jogoo and Magone. Their match against Prisons on Thursday was cancelled before final whistle due to heavy rain.
The winners of six-team league which will be played over two legs will represent Ilala District in the National Basketball League later this year.
After winning back-to-back national basketball titles in 2010-11, Dmark Power has had nothing to celebrate since and, in a bid to turn tables over the opposition, they have broken the bank to sign three star players ahead of the upcoming new season, writes Felix Eupal.
According to Phillip Kyomuhendo, the Power manager, the team has secured the services of Ivan Enabu from Kyambogo Warriors, centre Philip Amenyi and Abdullahi Ramathan from Falcons.
The move has been received with enthusiasm from Power fans after the club recently lost the services of point guard Ben Komakech to City Oilers.
"The thirst for title means we couldn't afford to nurture young players, who would take time to become title contenders," Kyomuhendo says.
Last season, Power lost the services of shooting guard Isaac Lugudde who relocated to South Africa and Emmanuel Enabu who left to studies. That's why on paper, the three signings seem to tilt the balance of strength in Power's hands.
The trio brings vast experience to the team but it remains to be seen how they will fit into the team. Enabu and Ramathan are at their best when running the show. On their day, they can bring down any team but the back court is not Power's Achilles' heel. It is their front court, which makes Amenyi the most important signing.
Enabu is a luxury which will be quite a baggage for Ankunda to handle because he has to deal with the egos of Isaac Afidra and Norman Blick. Ramathan, on the other hand, is one individual who is hyper sensitive and often loses his head over small altercations.
So, before Power fans get excited about how they will be running at opponents, coach Barnes Ankunda has his work cut out to create a winning team. The trio will be unveiled this Thursday and on the same occasion, Kyomuhendo says Power will unveil a new sponsor.
Will it be a quick fix that only clears the damage on the surface or the answer to Power's questions? Only time can tell.
NIGERIA : Nigerian Basketball League - Union Bank Humiliates Police Baton
The Union Bank of Lagos defeated Police Baton of Lagos 72-58 to earn their first victory at the ongoing Atlantic Conference match of the DStv/Basketball Men's League in Lagos.
Union Bank had lost their first match to Customs of Lagos in the league that began a fortnight ago.
Coach Ayinla Johnson of the Union Bank Club told the News Agency of Nigeria after the match on Friday that his team had approached the game with the right attitude.
"We won today because we played with the right attitude to win; we worked hard for the ball and worked hard for ourselves.
"We dominated the game right from the first quarter because we did not want the same thing that happened in our first game against Customs to recur.
"We hope to continue this way or even do better for the bigger games ahead," Johnson said.
Solomon Ajegbeyi, who recorded the highest points for Union Bank with 18 points, said he was delighted about their win and his performance.
"I'm happy I played well, we lost our first match to my former club (Customs) and it did not make me feel good.
"I played with a lot of determination against Police Baton because I wanted to prove my worth to my new coach and my new team mates," he said.
In a twist of fate, Frank Okafor of the Police Baton, who made 22 baskets, also said that he was unhappy that he could save his team from losing the match.
"It is a sad loss, we did not play well, and unfortunately it is our third loss in the three games we have played.
"We need to start winning our matches which is important for the team's survival at the end," he said.
In other matches played in Lagos, Lagos Islanders defeated visiting two times DStv/League champions -- Royal Hoopers of Port Harcourt -- 62-45 to earn their third straight win.
Tajudeen Adeyemi, the Islanders' Team Manager, said:"The team is getting better."
NIGERIA : Zenith B'ball League - NBBF Slams Code of Conduct On Players
Abuja — The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) has announced a plan to apply the Code of Conduct on basketball players featuring in all competitions organised by the body. The disciplinary code has been strongly advanced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in its dealing with the players of the national teaam.
NBBF President, Tijani Umar, announced at the ongoing Zenith Bank National Female Basketball League that the measure would stamp out indecent dressing among players and will also regulate the conduct of team officials and referees.
Umar said the policy will change the perception of the public about basketball players and make them adjust to a new behavourial model.
"We have worked out a code of conduct for the players and we will get them sign the document. The players must be well dressed as they are being watched on television and assessed by FIBA. A team including a coach must also face the media after a match. This is to make the players accountable and to play in an organised environment," Umar said.
The Zenith League which began at the weekend and will run through March 31 will feature 16 teams. In Group 'A' FCT Angels, AHIP Queens, Dolphins, Coal City Queens, Customs, Plateau Rock, First Bank and Benue Queens.
Group 'B' comprises of Sunshine, Delta Force, First Deepwaters, IGP Queens, Immigrations, Great Team 2000, Oluyole Babes and Taraba Hurricane.
The winner of the tournament will reap the cash price of N1million while the runners up will cash N750,000. The third placed team will go home with N500,000.
The teams will move to Ilorin from where the four best teams will be picked for the round-robin series that will be held in Lagos.
THE Kenya Basketball Federation have revered to their former league format.KBF secretary general Vitalis Gode said yesterday the decisions was reached during the annual general meeting at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium on Saturday.
"The governors reverted to the old system which will now mean the premier league for men, women and division will have additional teams but will play in the old round robin format." he said.
The men's premier league will now have 16 teams, up from 12, the women will have 14, up from 12 while the lower Division One will also have 16 teams, up from 12. The league throws off this weekend in Kakamega, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa and Nairobi. Gode said eight teams will now make the play offs from all the three divisions. They will play on a best of three series in the quarters while the semis and finals will be played on a best of five series.
The same meeting approved the league rules with a few amendments. The constitution was also approved and the players were given voice in the governing council.
TUNISIA : National Basketball Championship - Playoff/Day 12 - Results
Tunis — Results of Tunisia's national basketball Championship playoff day-12 games played Saturday afternoon:
ES Rades - ES Sahel 72-62
AS Hammamet - ES Goulette 72-76
Ezzahra Sport - JS Manazeh 56-57
C.Africain - US Monastir 83-67
NIGERIA : Winners of 2014 Women Basketball League to Get N1m
Winners of the 2014 Zenith Bank Women basketball league will go home with N1m, organizers have revealed.
President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), Tijani Umar made this known while speaking with journalists after the opening ceremony of this year's edition of the league at the indoor sports hall of the Abuja national stadium at the weekend.
While stating that the top three teams at the end of the championship would take home a prize money of over N2 million, he said the money will be given to the winners in Lagos.
"Prize money will be presented in Lagos. The first team will take N1 million home, the first and second runners up will be given N750,000 and N500,000 respectively," he said.
Umar added: "This year we got N25 million and about 45 per cent of the sponsorship fee is going to be used to support all the 16 participating teams in the league," he said.
Earlier, a General Manager of Zenith Bank who represented the bank at the opening ceremony of the league, Louis Odom announced that the bank has renewed its deal with NBBF.
He said the new three-year deal is worth N90 million and will run till 2016.
"The money is broken down as N25 million for 2014, N30 million for 2015 and N35 million for 2016, " he said.
While expressing satisfaction with the growth of women basketball in Nigeria, Mr. Odom said the bank was proud of its 10-year sponsorship of the women basketball league.
The deal is a 35 per cent increment in the sponsorship deal but the NBBF is optimistic of getting a better deal in the future.
Forty five per cent of the total sum is to be made available to participating teams.
The Zenith Bank women's basketball league season dunked off in Abuja on Friday evening with Sunshine Angels edging Delta Force 45:41 in a closely contested encounter.
KENYA : Ambira End Maseno's 11-Year Lake Region Basketball Dominance
MASENO School's 11-year reign as Lake Region secondary schools boy's basketball champions came to a crashing end at Nyamira Girls in Bondo over the weekend. Maseno crashed out losing by half a basket to eventual winners Ambira High.
Ambira won the tension packed game 41-40 after Kennedy Ogeno scored a three pointer with seconds left on the clock.
Ambira dubbed the "Dream Team" defeated Yala 50-43 to clinch the title for the first time. In the semis, Yala defeated Kisumu Boys 66-51.
RWANDA : Buzangu brothers lead CSK to big win over 30-Plus
Sunday
UGB 81-48 Gisenyi
30-Plus 50-47 Rusizi Saturday
UR-CE 43-73 Rusizi
ESPOIR 89-41 Gisenyi
Women
APR 20-00 UR-CE Friday
CSK 94-48 30-Plus
DR Congo-born pair of brothers Mike and Patrick Buzangu helped their team, Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK), to a 94-48 win over 30-Plus in a national basketball league game on Friday evening at NPC gymnasium.
The former KBC deadly duo scored 66 points between themselves, out of the total score 94 points. Mike, the youngest of the two siblings poured in a game high of 48 points, which is also the season’s high, while his elder brother Patrick added 18.
The win was CSK’s fourth in five games this season. Their head coach, Janvier Kamanzi, says the win sets them up nicely for Friday’s clash against APR, who dropped to second, behind Espoir following the reigning champions’89-41 win over Gisenyi BBC on Saturday.
Jean Bahufite’s team has won all their opening seven games, which gives them 14 points, one ahead of APR, who have played the same number of games but were not in action this weekend.
CSK are third with eight points but have played two games less.
“We are all happy for the victory, every player contributed his best for the win. Mike and Patrick have surely added much strength to the team, they are two big players for us and I am happy to be working with them,” Kamanzi told Times Sport.
Mike and Patrick Buzangu joined CSK from rivals KBC this season, and coach Kamanzi believes the Rugunga-based side that last won the championship in 2011, are now genuine contenders.
“That is four wins in five and I hope we continue this run until the end of the season, we have only lost to Espoir and next Friday we’ll be playing APR. We need to beat APR to remain in a good position,” he added.
Elsewhere, on Saturday, University of Rwanda- College of Education lost 43-73 to Rusizi.
On Sunday, UGB won 81-47 against newcomers Gisenyi at Kimisagara youth sports centre, while 30-Plus picked up a narrow win of 50-47 over Rusizi at the same venue, for their second win of the season.
UGANDA : Makerere Humiliates IUIU | ZUKU Basketball League
Photo: CourtesyMakerere University's Claire Nababuzizi dribbles past IUIU in Ndejje on Saturday.
ZUKU TV Basketball league:
Makerere University 90 –03 IUIU (Women)
Makerere University lady basketball team walloped her counterparts from Islamic University of Uganda University (IUIU) in a 90 - 03 drubbing at the ongoing ZUKU TV university basketball league.
This was one of the 6 fixtures of the day played at the Ndejje University main campus in Luweero district.
Claire Namunu and Treasure Nababuzizi shared a game high mark of 18 points with Namunu parrying 8 rebounds and 2 assists while the latter had rebounds.
IUIU only managed one basket that came in the 3rd quarter of the game from Shifah Assimwe as she worked tireslessly to paste the score line some colour.
In the other games, UCU overwhelmed Kisubi University 83 – 24. Jonathan Egawu top scored with 16 points and 7 rebounds with Amos Okello Okongo registering 12. Kisubi’c Charles Habonimana had 7 points coming off in the last quarter as they made a desperate catch up quest.
Towering Lino Clement was the start attraction as Cavendish clawed gallantly to a 54 – 35 victory over Uganda Martyr’s University, Nkozi.
The lanky center forward scored 9 points, registering 8 rebounds and 4 assists but it was Nkozi’z Mark Jerry Mayanja who had the last smile as he top scored with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
The passionate crowd was treated to entertainment from self-styled rappers, Martha Oceans and Foreva, much to their delight prior the closing two games.
UCU won their second game of the day with a narrow 37 – 26 victory over Kampala University in a game Jonathan Egawu was fouled out in the last quarter of the game with 5 minutes left on the clock.
Hosts, Ndejje University inspired by James Okello and Geofrey Soro reserved the best for the last moment. Okello had a game high 20 points, 11 rebounds and 2 assist, in his team’s 71 – 37 humiliation of St Lawrence University.
Big man, Sedar Segamba reserved face for St Lawrence with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The next series of games will be played at UCU next weekend on 29th March 2014.
KENYA : KBF: Women team allowances to be paid by 29th
File pictures
Updated on 22/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
The Kenya Basketball Federation has announced that the pending allowance settle for the Kenya women team will be settled by end of business on Saturday 29th March 2014.This was agreed and announced on Saturday during the Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi.
The team took part n the 2013 Afro Basket competition in Maputo Mozambique but are yet to get their allowances over five months later with claims that the money which had been released was diverted to other use by officials.
The missing allowances generated so much heat in the past few weeks with national team captain Silalei Shani writing to the federation officials demanding explanation to the whereabouts of the money while another section of basketball players’ representatives wrote to the Cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan Wario demanding that the Federation officials be held accountable for the disappearance of the money.
Silalei this week announced her retirement from basketball citing frustrations and mismanagement at the federation as her main reasons for premature quitting from the sport.
As it emerged during the AGM meeting on Saturday, over 100,000 shillings that was to be used as allowances for the players had been diverted to pay a last minute air ticket to one of the team officials.
According to KBF officials, each of the team members who travelled to Maputo will receive 10,000 shillings as allowances.
The Kenya Basketball Federation Annual General Meeting held in Nairobi on Saturday ratified the inclusion of the Basketball Players Association as a recognized entity in the constitution. The players Association will now have representation at Annual General Meetings, fixtures committees and will also have one vote during national elections.
The Association will take the next step of official registration and appointment of an interim committee which will be mandated with the responsibility of organizing and holding national elections before or by August 2014.
All players (current and retired) across the country will be eligible to vie for various posts that are yet to be created. Members will pay an annual fee of 50 shillings (Initial membership fee that may change with time).
The players association will among other objectives be the voice of the players representing their grievances to the national executive, will be holding players’ camps to foster unity, will hold a national membership registration campaign, will hold national workshops and grassroots development of the game as well as ensure the welfare of the players is well catered for at all fronts.
KENYA : Basketball AGM dumps conferences league format
Members during the AGM at Nyayo
Updated on 22/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
The 2014 Kenya Federation Basketball League kick off has been postponed to a later date. This comes after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Nairobi on Saturday dumped initial proposals to have a conferences format which was rejected by members. The league had been scheduled to kick off on the 29th of March.
The new fixtures are expected to be released after two weeks with the members agreeing to adopt the old format where all teams play against each other in a competitive nationwide league.
Majority of the members at the AGM resonated with the concerns from coaches and players who said the new format ,that had been divided into two zones, was unhealthy to the development of the league. The new league format proposal had been adopted in a previous team managers’ meeting held in Nairobi.
The six hour AGM held at the Nyayo gymnasium also agreed that the Conferences will be retained but only for administrative purposes with members suggesting the reintroduction of the points systems in annual tournaments in a bid to encourage more teams to take part. A special committee will be formed to discuss this at a later stage.
Kenya Basketball Federation official Peter Orero has said the Annual General Meeting (AGM) set for Saturday afternoon at the Nyayo gymnasium will go on as planned. Orero rubbished claims by basketball players that the AGM notice did not follow constitutional guidelines requesting anyone who has queries to present them at the meeting.
The players claim that the Federation deliberately omitted audited accounts from the AGM Notice as required by the constitution. According to the players’ spokesman Dennis Dikembe, “the management of basketball in Kenya is at its lowest and needs action from all stakeholders to save the game from sinking deeper.”
The players claim KBF have clearly flouted Article 17 of the constitution which clearly states that “b) At least 21 (twenty one) clear days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members and such notice shall specify the place, date and time of the meeting…… and that “All notices shall be accompanied by a copy of the audited accounts of the Federation for the period ending 31st December.”
But Orero says “Players have no business being involved in the AGM. Their business is to play basketball and they should not become politicians. If they want to be in politics they should quit playing.” He said.
Orero said all audited accounts were sent to the team managers of the respective clubs, “There are regulations in management and the players should not expect audited accounts to be sent to them. They should ask their team managers who represent them at the AGM.” He continues.
He accused the players of being manipulated by their political rivals, “People should understand that we held elections and we won fair and square period. Whoever has a problem should wait until the next elections instead of using players to try fight their own wars. We know who is behind all this.”
He adds that the KBF is the best run Federation in Kenya with no scandals and that those “making noise” should concentrate their energies elsewhere , “We are the best run Federation in Kenya. We don’t have any money scandals and we run our affairs very professionally. So the AGM will go on as planned.”
KENYA : National team captain Silalei quits Basketball
Silalei Shani
Updated on 21/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
Kenya women basketball captain Silalei Shani has announced her decision to quit basketball. Silalei who was also a member of the self supported Eagle Wings Basketball team says she has lost motivation to play basketball in Kenya despite her dedicated passion for club and country in the past few years since returning from studies abroad.
She blames the Kenya Basketball Federation officials of taking advantage of players both at domestic club competition leagues and national teams, “I have decided to take a break from Kenya basketball.” She says.
“There is no motivation to even wake up the following day and head to the court because of the insensitive officials who don’t care about the development of the sport. The officials are too corrupt and are only keen to take advantage of the players with an excuse that we are supposed to play for passion.”
She adds that players in the domestic league are also very frustrated because they play for nothing other than the love of the game. “We actually play for nothing in the league. At the end of the busy season there is nothing to show or appreciate the hard work by the players and many are of the opinion that it’s not even worth it.”
Silalei was the team captain to the national squad that took part in the 2013 Afro Basketball Competition in Maputo Mozambique. Since returning from Maputo over five months ago, the players are yet to receive any cent from the Federation in form of allowances.Michezoafrika.com has also seen a letter written to the cabinet Secretary Dr. Hassan Wario by a section of players requesting him to intervene and also inquiring on the whereabouts of the said allowances.
“I even wrote a letter to the Federation chairman and officials on behalf of my fellow players requesting information on the whereabouts of the allowances but to date nothing has happened. Besides allowances, we don’t even have kit or shoes to play with as a national team. No one has motivation to turn up for the national team anymore because it is just an embarrassment instead of being a patriotic thing.”
Silalei adds that overtime, she has spent her own money going for training and sacrificed her employer’s time to travel with the team for international matches but cannot continue in the same way especially considering she represents other players who are unemployed, “I don’t think it’s worth it to sacrifice my own money and employer’s time for federation officials who take advantage of us in the name of patriotism. There are girls in the national team who are patriotic and love playing for the flag but then cannot even raise money for their own sanitary pads forget about transport to trainings yet no one cares. I think I cannot stand and be a part of this anymore and it is time for me to quit.” She adds.
But when reached for comments over the same development and allowances clarification, KBF Treasurer Peter Orero said, “National team players are not entitled to any allowances. They are supposed to play for their country and we make that very clear when we appoint them to the team. As a federation we try as much as we can to ensure we send teams to all international matches.”
KENYA : Basketball players to hold protest press conference
BASKETBALL fans at the Nyayo gymnasium
Updated on 21/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
Kenya Basketball players will this morning hold a press briefing in Nairobi at the Nyayo stadium to protest the decision by the Kenya Basketball Federation to unconstitutionally hold an Annual General Meeting among other burning issues.
The players have harshly contested the issuance of the AGM notice without audited accounts which for many years have always been presented on the floor of the AGM without giving members time to peruse through the federation accounts.
Sources within the KBF executive also indicate some members of the executive have not even had an opportunity to see the audited accounts before the AGM to be held at the same Nyayo stadium venue later on Saturday afternoon.
Speaking to michezoafrika.com, the players’ meeting convener Dennis Dikembe says the management of basketball I Kenya is at its lowest and needs action from all stakeholders to save the game from sinking deeper, “Enough is enough help in the fight of this menace. Let’s all come out and help basketball from sinking to abysmal depths in our beloved Kenya due to mismanagement by dysfunctional KBF executive committee.” He said.
The players claim KBF have clearly flouted Article 17 of the constitution which clearly states that “ b) At least 21 (twenty one) clear days notice of the meeting shall be given to all members and such notice shall specify the place, date and time of the meeting.The accidental omission and/or failure to notify a member, or the non-receipt by any member of the said notice shall not invalidate the proceedings of the meeting. All notices shall be accompanied by a copy of the audited accounts of Federation for the period ending 31st December.”
However in a rejoinder KBF Treasurer Peter Orero said the federation has sent out audited accounts to all team managers and branches officials who will be attending the meeting on Saturday dismissing the players’ claims as malicious agendas by their political rivals.
“Players are supposed to play basketball and not to become politicians. The audited accounts are with the team managers and the AGM will go on as planned whoever has questions should present them at the AGM Meeting.” He said. KBF Constitution Article 29. Auditors 1. The auditor shall be appointed by the Council. All the Federation’s accounts, records and documents shall be open to the inspection of the auditor at any time. The auditor shall examine such annual accounts and statements and either certify that they are correct, duly vouched and in accordance with the law or report to the Federation in what respect they are found to be incorrect, unvouched or not in accordance with the law.
2. A copy of the auditor’s report on the accounts and statements together shall be furnished to all members at the same time as the notice convening the Annual General Meeting is sent out. An auditor may be paid such fees for his duties as may be resolved by the Council appointing him.
RWANDA : Espoir aim to maintain unbeaten run in league
Espoir’s Pascal Karekezi, left, tries to drive past an APR opponent during a previous game two weeks ago. File.
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Espoir will go into today’s basketball league against Gisenyi at NPC Gymnasium aiming to maintain their unbeaten run.
According to head coach Jean Bahufite, the two-time reigning champions are keen to keep their unprecedented record
“We are going into tomorrow game with an aim of winning. We will not change our mentality or approach, and we will continue to look for more wins because we want to win the league with an unbeaten record for a third consecutive season,” he told Saturday Sport.
Espoir is in second position with 12 points after winning their opening six games, one point behind APR, who have played a game more, while Gisenyi are in ninth position with five points after losing three games and winning one.
The Espoir vs Gisenyi game will be preceded with the game between University of Rwanda College of Education and Rusizi at the same venue, starting at 10am.
The actions will continue on Sunday when 30-Plus host Rusizi at Kimisagara youth sports center, while United Generation basketball Club will be up against Gisenyi at NPC Gymnasium.
Eagle Wings’ star player Samba Mjomba has joined Equity Bank basketball team and will be playing at the NBA league in the coming season with a hope of supporting her new team gain promotion to the KBF League in 2015.
While confirming her switch to michezoafrika.com, Mjomba says, “It’s time for a little change and I hope my experience at Equity bank and playing in the lower league will present me with new but exciting challenges.” She said.
Mjomba joined Eagle Wings right after University studies at USIU in 2010 and she played a key part in the team’s success that included back to back national and regional titles. Her last assignment with Eagle Wings was the third place finish at the Africa Club championships late last year.
“Eagle Wings played a big role in my basketball career and it is sad for me to say goodbye to my former team mates. But time comes when one must make a move and I have finally joined anew family here at Equity where I have already started training and bonding with my new team mates.”
Other players who have also moved to the new team include Denise Apondi formerly of Strathmore Swords and Eleanor formerly at Cooperative Bank’s Kingdom Queens. USIU’s Linda Mfuchi is also said to be on her way to the side whose men counterparts gained promotion to the Premier league last season.
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Head Coach Anthony Ojukwu has criticized the new proposed league format to be adopted by the Kenya Basketball Federation this season saying this is harmful to the growth of the league and the development of basketball as a whole.
Ojukwu in an interview with michezoafrika.com on Thursday said, “This format is not welcome at all. Looking at the 2014 season many teams may end up playing one match in one month and that for sure is very harmful to the development of the game.” He said.
“Sports is better when there is consistency in action and the more matches players play the better they become. Personally I am against this new short league structure and I hope the team managers will contest this as well during their meeting this weekend because it is not developmental at all.” He adds.
The coach continues to say that the KPA management has expressed concern over the league fixtures, “Our sponsors are concerned about the arrangements of the league fixtures. For us it is economical when our teams travel together for matches in Nairobi where most teams are concentrated and when you have our women team matches scheduled on different days with our men’s team then this becomes double cost to our sponsors.” He observes.
KENYA : Pam Sinda joins Eagle Wings as team recharges for title chase
Pam Sinda
Updated on 20/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
Immediate former Kenya basketball champions Eagle Wings Basketball team will play Footprints in their first match of the season on March 29th as the Kenya Basketball 2014 season kicks off. This will be the first time since its formation in 2007 that the team will be without the inspiration coach Thomas Smatts Olumbo who passed on last month after a long illness (May God Rest his Soul in Eternal Peace).
Former player Evelyn Kedogo is now the new head coach and is rebuilding a strong squad that will go for the title retrieve this season after losing it to rivals KPA. Eagle Wings lost to USIU in the semi finals last season, a team that went on to lose to KPA in the best of five playoffs.
The former champions will however have to do without key players including Samba Mjomba who has joined Equity Bank and Velma Achieng who has crossed the borders to join Uganda Christian University. Another player Natalie Akinyi has been linked with a likely move to KPA but coach Kedogo says they have recruited well to cover the spaces left.
“It is definitely a big blow to lose key players at one go but we will recover. We have started training and also recruited a number of players while we scout around for more.” She asserts.
Among the new faces captured by Eagle Wings include experienced Pam Sinda who joins from Gladiators and Debrah Akinyi from KPA, “Sinda has good experience and she will be a great valuable addition to our squad. Currently we are still scouting around for more possible talents to join our squad and will advise as we go along.” Kedogo adds.
Eagle Wings’ Natalie Akinyi has been linked with a likely move to reigning basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). If successful in her move, Natalie will become the third dependable player to leave the former national champions, Eagle Wings, after the departure of other key players Samba Mjomba who has joined newly formed lower division side Equity Bank and Velma who is headed o Kampala to join UCU.
KPA Coach Anthony Ojukwu when reached for comments however said the deal is yet to be concluded but confirmed having expressed interest in signing the player.
“Yes it is true there are talks but we are yet to make it official and there is nothing concrete so far. Perhaps we will have a clear picture by the end of Saturday.” He said.
KPA is also said to be eyeing another player from NYTA Shimba Hills though this is also yet to be made official.
A new competition has joined Uganda's basketball calendar after the University Basketball League (UBL) was launched today.
The tournament, which began on a low-key three weeks ago, features ten tertiary institutions. These include Kisubi Brothers University College, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Makerere University, St Lawrence University, Cavendish University, Islamic University In Uganda, Ndejje University, Bugema University, Uganda Martys University and Kampala University. They have been split into ten men's teams and eight for the ladies.
A brainchild of Makerere University sports tutor Peninah Kabenge, the UBL rolled off amid confusion and complaints from the various stakeholders. But gradually, the storm has cleared, paving way for brighter future towards the development of basketball in the country.
So far, Ndejje University leads the way and remains unbeaten after last weekend's 55-53 win over rivals UCU. Local basketball body Fuba was initially at loggerheads with the organisers but after discussions, both sides ironed out the differences.
"As a federation, we will render full support, commitment and technical support to the running of the university league," says Fuba President Ambrose Tashobya.
Meanwhile, Nkumba University and Kampala International University (KIU) disagreed and pulled out. The two cite failure to have rules and relegations clearly stipulated.
That notwithstanding, National University Sports Federation of Uganda (Nusfu) Vice President Vincent Kisenyi told The Observer: "Nkumba and KIU informed us that they have some financial issues and wouldn't be taking part but we are still working with them and hopefully we will have them on board next year."
Today
CSKvs30-Plus6pm Saturday
UR-CEvsRusizi 10am
Espoir vsGisenyi12pm Sunday
30-PlusvsRusizi9am
UGBvsGisenyi10am
The national men’s basketball league continues this evening when former champions Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) host Kimisagara-based 30-Plus at Cercle Sportif de Kigali court in Rugunga.
The 2011 league champions, CSK is in fifth position with seven points after winning three and losing one of the four games they have played so far, while 30-Plus have one win in five games and they are in 7th position in the 11-team league table.
Last year, 30-Plus finished bottom of the league, while CSK finished in fourth position, behind Espoir, Rusizi and KBC.
The game between CSK and 30-Plus was supposed to be played on Saturday, but it had to be shifted to Friday as both teams have many of their players taking part in the inter-university tournament which climaxes this weekend. The league will continue on Saturday as University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE) takes on Rusizi at the National Paralympics Committee gymnasium, starting at 10am.
That game will be followed by the encounter between Espoir against new entrants Gisenyi BBC at the same venue, beginning at 12pm. Gisenyi have one win in four games and stand in 9th position with five points.
Unbeaten Espoir have won six out of six but are second on the league table with 12 points, one behind APR, who have played a game more and have already lost to the defending champions. League table
1- APR: 13 pts (PG: 7, W/L: 6/1)
2- ESPOIR: 12 pts (PG: 6, W/L: 6/0)
3- KIGALI BC: 11 pts (PG: 6, W/L: 5/1)
4- UGB: 10 pts (PG: 7, W/L: 3/4)
5- CSK BBC: 7 pts (PG: 4, W/L: 3/1)
6- UR-Huye BBC: 6 pts (PG: 5, W/L: 1/4)
7- 30 Plus BBC: 6 pts (PG: 5, W/L: 1/4)
8- UR-CE BBC: 6 pts (PG: 6, W/L: 0/6)
9- Gisenyi BC: 5 pts (PG: 4, W/L: 1/3
10 - IPRC – Kigali: 4 pts (PG: 3, W/L: 1/2)
11- Rusizi BC: 4pts (PG: 3, W/L: 1/2)
KENYA : 2014 basketball season kicks off next weekend
Ulinzi vs Terrorists
Updated on 20/03/14 | By DENNIS MACHIO
The 2014 Kenya Basketball Federation season kicks off on the weekend of 29th March with 16 matches lined up on Saturday and Sunday in various courts across the country.
Newcomers Equity Bank will be in action on Day two of the season kick off when they take on USIU Tigers at the Nyayo gymnasium while KAA face last year’s finalists KPA.
KPA women are the defending champions having defeated USIU Flames in the finals last year to dethrone champions Eagle Wings who lost in the semi finals to the students.
Cooperative Bank who retained their men premiership title last season will open their campaign against KU Pirates at the Nyayo court n Saturday 2014 KBF FIXTURE 29TH March
Western Delight vs Coop Bank – KPC 10:00AM
Mombasa County vs Parklands Baptist -KPA 2:00PM
KPA Vs KAA – KSG 4:00
Nakuru Club vs Ulinzi –MHS -12:00
Lakeside vs Umoja – KSG -12:00
ANU VS Trailblazers – Nyayo stadium 9:00
Dankind Academy vs World Hope - Nyayo 10:30
Eagle Wings vs Footprints – Nyayo 12:00
Coop vs KU Pirates - Nyayo 2:00
Blades vs Lions – Nyayo 4:00 SUNDAY 30TH
MKU Kakamega vs Umoja - KPC 9:00
Baraka Extreme vs Barclays Bank – Nyayo 9:00
Little Prince vs KCA-U -Nyayo 10:30
USIU vs Mennonites -Nyayo 12:00
Blazers vs Strathmore -Nyayo 2:00
USIU vs Equity Bank – Nyayo 4:00
UGANDA : ZUBL: Makerere University beats UMU on their concrete
ZUBL PhotoMakerere University's Tony Drileba attempting from distance against Uganda Martyrs Uiversity
Saturday Results: UMU 40-50 Makerere University (men) UMU 17-76 Makerere University (women)
The Zuku University Basketball League (ZUBL) tipped off three weeks ago at Makerere, then went to UCU and on the weekend, action headed west to Uganda Martyrs University (UMU), Nkozi.
With Uganda Christian University, Kampala International University and Ndejje University taking part in the UCU Invitational Basketball tournament on the same weekend, there were just two games – both between Makerere University and the host Uganda Martyrs University.UMU were beaten in both games on their own floor. In fact the ladies games was a no contest as MUK were far to superior as most of the players on the team feature for the National Basketball League side MUK Sparks apart from forward Claire Lamuu (KCCA Leopards) and Sylvia Nakazibwe (A1 Challenge).
Makerere’s 24-14 first halftime advantage over UMU helped the men overcome the resilient hosts who were a handful in the second half and evenly matched Makerere. Tony Drileba led MUK with 13 points and 6 rebounds. Richard Ongom who also features for NBL outfit Vegetarian added 11 points while Daniel Kawesa and Daniel Oporo grabbed 11 and 10 rebounds respectively. Daniels Babara and Sam Wacha scored 8 points apiece to lead UMU. Mark Mayanja added 5 points and 11 rebounds.
Meanwhile, Claire Lamunu had a blast scoring game high 23 points and picking 12 rebounds as MUK Ladies blew out UMU. Joy Chemtai added 16 points and 5 assists. Shina Asimwe chipped in with 11 points.
Kush Nakazzi scored 7 for UMU. The home fans who cheered every UMU basket had nothing to celebrate in the after three periods as the host went scoreless in the fourth quarter.
HotShots edge Mont Fleuri
