31 May 2014

RWANDA : Hoops league: Espoir face motivated IPRC today

Today
Rusizi vs APR
UR- CoE vs 30-Plus
IPRC vs Espoir
Sunday
Gisenyi vs UGB
UR- Huye vs APR
30-Plus vs Espoir
Espoir will go top of the national basketball league table standings if they win their two games this weekend against IPRC and 30-Plus today and tomorrow respectively.
The league and playoffs defending champions will however face an on-form league’s new entrants IPRC- Kicukiro today at Amahoro Indoor stadium, starting at 4pm in a game that promises to be a real spectacle.
Much as Jean Bahufite’s side will go into the games as overwhelming favourites, this game could go either way as fourth-placed IPRC-Kicukiro are determined to book a place in the playoffs.
Espoir are currently ranked second behind APR but have played three games less. They have 26 points from 13 matches, while APR have 27 from 16 matches.
“We want to win both games, and if it happens then we will be in line for the third consecutive league title. IPRC will pose the biggest threat . They are a solid side and have shown consistency,” Bahufite told Saturday Sport yesterday.
His counterpart of IPRC-Kicukiro Albert Buhake said, “We are ready and I believe we can upset  the best team in the league. Beating them would be a fantastic achievement for us.”

LIBERIA : 18-Year-Old Liberian Eyes NBA Draft



Liberian Noah Vonleh will play for a team in the American National Basketball Association (NBA) if selected in June
Big-Ten Conference Freshman of the Year
By: 
Julio Chitunda
Eighteen-year-old Noah Vonleh’s dream of playing in the NBA will be under scrutiny when the 2014 Draft Combine opens on Thursday in Chicago.
American-born Vonleh is the son of Ms. Rennel Vonleh who moved to Massachusetts from Liberia in 1994 after spending some time in the neighbouring Ivory Coast.
He is one of the candidates willing to showcase their athletic abilities to executives, scouts, coaches and doctors.
Top NBA prospect, Vonleh joins the event with the Big-Ten Conference Freshman of the Year award under his belt, after averaging 11.3 points and 9 rebounds per game at the Indiana University (IU).
The 2.08m forward is a very athletic player who still needs to improve some skills including his footwork and ball handling, but this did not prevent him from declaring available for the 2014 NBA Draft.
During his press conference - held last month - alongside Indiana University head coach Tom Crean, Vonleh said it was a difficult decision to make, but encouraging messages from friends, former coaches, NBA scouts, critics, media and more importantly, the encouragement from his single mother, made him believe he can succeed in the Draft next month.
Vonleh spent only one season under coach Crean, but his numbers and performances kept growing, and he thought it was time to follow the steps of former IU Victor Oladipo and Cody Zeller who were selected 1st and 4th in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Coach Crean supported Vonleh’s decision, and highlighted his work ethic. “We're proud of him. He's got an unlimited future because of his potential, because of his character, because of his work ethic, the talent is there, the weight and the strength that he's put on in a short period of time,” Crean said of Vonleh.
When asked to talk about his game, Vonleh said: “I think I proved that I've got a pretty good skill set. I can step out, shoot threes. My post game has gotten a lot better, still a work in progress. I can still improve on it. I can still improve on a lot of things in my shot, getting my release quicker, being able to push the dribble out and do different things like that; just to make myself an overall better player.”
Usually the NBA Draft Combine determines whether participants have realistic chances of embracing the NBA world.

LIBERIA : Barrolle, Oilers Swell Chances in Basketball Championship



Snapshot from the Mighty Barrolle and Bardnersville Celtics’ game at the open-air Sports Commission on Broad Street
Mighty Barrolle, on Wednesday increases their chances for winning the 2014 Basketball Championship, when she thumped Barnersville Celtic, 71-62 points, reports Leroy M. Sonpon, lll.
The Rollers, in the first quarter, bowed to Barnersville Celtics 19-15 points, but led the remaining three quarters; 33-30, 47-35 and 71-62 points.
Wednesday’s game was rescheduled from Saturday, May 3 because of the rain.
The basketball outfit of the Kanyan pepper boys, last month in their strive to end their title famine in decades, pinned a number of basketball teams, including LPRC Oilers 55-53 points.
So far, Rollers have suffered two defeats to Timber Wolves and NPA Pythons, 53-49 and 64-54 points respectively.
Former and current basketball champions, NPA Pythons and LPRC Oilers surpassed Barrolle’s triumph. Both teams have so far lost a game.
However, in the second Wednesday’s game virtually youthful Timber Wolves convincingly walloped Dream Team II, 107-52 points, while Oilers boosted their chances over archrivals Pythons, winning 87-79 points.
The two games were also rescheduled from Sunday, May 4.
According to the fixture, the league continues today with two 2nd division teams opening the floor; Uhuru Prince and Heats; and Cestos Morgars will face Dream Team II, in the first division.
Several spectators, including Mary Taylor, Siatta Mensah, David Nagbe and Jenkins Nah on Wednesday expressed their hope for a continuous favorite weather condition for the league to end successfully.
They urged the LBA management to take care of the generator to avoid mechanical fault and should not rent the gym during scheduled games days.
Die-hard Barrolle fan, Madam Taylor said it is sad for the games to be cancelled because of the rains and it is frustrating for the generator to cause the deferment of games.
Nagbe and Nah, in separate interviews said it is not correct for the LBA management to rent the Sports Commission

30 May 2014

UGANDA : ity Oilers up for a Titanic test, A1 to get off the blocks

City Oilers' guard Jimmy Enabu going for a basket during last season playoffs against KIU Photo Credits: Daily Monitor City Oilers' guard Jimmy Enabu going for a basket during last season playoffs against KIU
Nkumba Lady Marines Vs A1 Challenge 6:30pm
City Oilers Vs KIU Titans 8:30pm
There is not much history between City Oilers and KIU Titans (and of course any other team). The little there is dates back to last year when Oilers (then new comers) faced defensive oriented Titans in the first leg of the National Basketball League.
Oilers were on a run that KIU ended with a 48-47 edge. That was City Oilers’ ugliest game of the season. No surprise it had to be against Titans as they try to make it difficult for opponents. In fact the Titans did a double on Oilers last season. The fourth quarter KIU explosion handed them the regular season double in the 72-65 win.
It was different in the first round of the playoffs – City Oilers swept the best of three series (76-56 and 70-56) against KIU to advance and later emerged champions
The teams will continue to write their script when they face off this evening at YMCA. KIU started the season with three wins on the bounce and lost in overtime in their last game while City Oilers opened the season with a lost a have won three straight.
Unlike last season when the university outfit had a lot of focus defense, they seem to be balancing offense and defense more. They have only scored under 70 points once in the four games they have played and so have the City Oilers.
Meanwhile, A1 Challenge could finally get off the blocks when they face Nkumba Lady Marines. A1 are sitting at the basement of the women’s log with three losses in the three games played – falling to KIU, UCU and Magic Stormers.

NIGERIA : NBBF Releases Zenith Bank League Playoff Schedule

The Nigeria basketball Federation (NBBF) on Thursday released the schedule for the 10th edition of the Zenith Bank Women's basketball league.
According to the federation, after 14 grueling matches across two cities and two phases, eight teams; First Deep Water, First Bank, Dolphins, Sunshine Angels, Customs, IGP Queens, Delta Force and FCT Angels have qualified for the playoffs billed for Lagos.
The Playoffs also known as "The Final 8" is scheduled to hold from 12th - 22nd June, 2014 at the Indoor Sports hall of the National Stadium, Surulere. The 9-day event commences with the technical meeting on 12 June with the tournament tipping off the following day.
The group matches, which will be in a round robin format, will end on 19 June with the semi-finals holding on June 20.
Zenith All Star Game holds 21st June with the third place and finals billed for June 22.
The Bank will also reward 10 players and three officials who have participated from inception of the Zenith Bank sponsorship from 2005 till date in order to commemorate its 10th anniversary of partnering with NBBF, sponsoring the Nigerian female basketball league.

29 May 2014

KENYA : KPA Teams Post Big Basketball Victories

KENYA Ports Authority (KPA) teams posted strong wins in their basketball premier league ties at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium. Reigning champions KPA women had to fight hammer and tongs before they nipped a hard fighting Sprite Storms 51-50 in a cracker. The men on the other hand had it easy as they crushed fast fading Lions who have found winning difficuilt 82-56. Nairobi Aviation College (NAC) were whipped 68-35 by United States International University (USIU).
At Upper Hill School, Griffin Ligare and Nelson Njau led Thunder to an emphatic 83-44 thrashing of the University of Nairobi "Terrorists". In lower division matches at the same venue, Little Prince beat Africa Nazarene University (ANU) 49-43 in a close tie. Upper Hill School thrashed Mombasa County 61-44 despite having tired players who had just returned from the U-18s show in Kampala, Uganda. Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) thrashed World Hope 60-39.

KENYA : Equity Bank Women Stun Nazarene in an NBA League Encounter

EQUITY Bank women's team whitewashed Africa Nazarene University 104-23 in a one-sided Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) match at Railways Club.
This was the first time a club was posting a century in the women's league this season. Linda Mfuchi tallied 23 points, Eleanor Musundi nailed 15, Samba Mjomba scored 14 and Denise Okoth bagged 11 for the winners.
Gladiators pipped Strathmore University 38-37, Footprints nipped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Mt Kenya University, Thika hit Zetech College 46-31. University of Nairobi 'Dynamites' beat Thika 45-27 while Zetech clobbered Africa Nazarene 47-36.
In the men's category, Old Pirates scored a 58-43 triumph over Upper Hill School while United States International University (USIU) beat All Stars 55-39.
Technical University of Kenya lost 49-52 to Machakos Hawks while Strathmore rolled over Pac University 34-19. Catholic University of Eastern Africa thumped Mt Kenya University (MKU) Nairobi 52-28.

UGANDA : Warriors, Power won’t give in on Enabu move

Ivan Enabu dribbles against KIU Titans last season.
Ivan Enabu dribbles against KIU Titans last season. PHOTO BY ISMAIL KEZAALA 
By  CLIVE KYAZZE

Posted  Thursday, May 29  2014 at  09:26
In Summary
The guard was unveiled by Power in the off-season but later decided to return to Warriors.
KAMPALA- In March, Tiger Head Power unveiled their squad for the ongoing Airtel Fuba League season.
The squad assembled at Kati Kati Restaurant in Lugogo included new recruits Ivan Enabu (Warriors), Abdullahi ‘Dulah’ Ramadhan (Falcons), Francis Odom (Rez Life), Moses Olobo (free agent) and centre Philip Ameny (Falcons).
Few weeks after the unveiling, Enabu reportedly declared he wanted to return to Warriors, the team that gave him his only league ring in 2012. Power were furious. One of Uganda’s most entertaining guards, Enabu is now sidelined because of the stand-off between the two clubs.
“The ball is in his (Enabu) court. Once he puts himself together, this issue will be history,” said Power official Philip Kyomuhendo.“The Enabu issue is something we are not ready to reveal to anyone until it’s fully settled,” he added.
There is talk in the basketball fraternity that Enabu decided to switch the moment Warriors re-appointed Gad Eteu as coach in pre-season. Enabu denies Gad’s return fueled his desire to join Power. “Gad and I are cool. He is not the reason I decided to move,” Enabu said. “My decision then was based on the urge to change environment, but the decision to come back to Warriors is purely personal.”
The increased competition for playing time at Power could have informed Enabu’s change of mind, some have suggested. But the 2005 Africa Zone 5 MVP has dismissed that school of thought as well.
“I can be really competitive when I decide to be so competition is the least of my worries,” he reasoned. Warriors, clearly looking weaker without Enabu have persistently refused to divulge details about the transfer saga. “Am not obliged to talk about the matter, our CEO Ivan (Ntabazi) should be able to,” Warriors president Ambrose Tashobya said. Ntabazi couldn’t be reached as he failed to pick or return our calls.
Daily Monitor has learnt that Power paid Enabu money before he signed on the dotted line. They are now demanding for a refund before they can negotiate a deal to let the player back to Warriors.
playing tomorrow
W: A1 vs. Nkumba, 6:30PM
M: Oilers vs. Nkumba, 8:30PM


27 May 2014

UGANDA : Omanye turns from hero to villain as KIU lose in overtime

KAMPALA.
KIU Titans have an ambition of becoming genuine Airtel National Basketball League title contenders this year after so many seasons as pretenders.
Tanzanian guard Chris Omanye is supposed to take the mantle. On Sunday, he played both hero and villain as KIU lost for a first time this year, a 73-71 overtime defeat by UCU Canons.
Omanye, 21 points, made both free throws to send the game into an extra period. He made 10 for 10 from the charity line including those two with six seconds on the clock to tie the game at 57-up.
The umpire gave the UCU coach Nicholas Natuhereza a technical foul when Joseph Chuma attempted to make it a four-point game.
The lead changed hands on numerous occasions during the additional five minutes until Omanye committed a reaching foul on Boniface Okello.
As the forward converted for UCU, Omanye had fouled out. In five minutes, the presumed leader of this exciting side had played hero and villain to throw away a game they should have won.
Gritty defence gave them a double-digit lead. Even when UCU trimmed it to seven heading into the fourth period, KIU had limited Sudi Ulanga for most of the game.
The shooting guard came through the challenge with a game-high 22 points despite not scoring in the first period. Ivan Rumanyika’s 17 points, 13 rebounds and three steals swung the game significantly. The season’s first overtime game also had Sam Aguti and Subbi Kasujja impress with a futile 15 and 14 points respectively, the former adding five assists

RWANDA : CSK shrug off loss to thrash UR-CoE 109-49


photo

Mike Buzangu scored a game high 27 points as SCK walloped hapeless UR-CoE 109-49 on Sunday. File
BBL: SUNDAY RESULTS
Men
UR-CoE 49-109 CSK
30-Plus 41-94 IPRC
UR-Huye 91-68 Gisenyi
Women
UR-CoE 14-104 Ubumwe
APR 60-20 UR-Huye
Cercle Sportif de Kigali recovered from Saturday’s defeat against APR to thrash University of Rwanda- College of Education 109-49 in the basketball league on Sunday.
The win moved the Rugunga-based side into second position with 26 points, level with reigning champions Espoir and one point behind leaders APR, who stunned CSK with a narrow 65-64 victory on Saturday.
In Sunday’s big win, former Rwanda international Mike Buzangu scored the game high 27 points, while Joseph Bukuru and Guillaume Ruzima added 21 and 14 points respectively.
“Saturday’s defeat was a big blow to our title hopes but we have shown great character to get back to winning ways against UR-CoE,” said CSK trainer Janvier Kamanzi.
Elsewhere newcomers IPRC-Kicukiro beat 30-Plus 94-41, while College of Arts and Social Sciences (UR-Huye) hammered Gisenyi 91-68.
Meanwhile, the game between Rusizi and two-time reigning champions Espoir on Sunday was postponed because of ‘commemoration day’ for 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rusizi District.
In women’s league, Ubumwe humiliated College of Education 104-14, while holders APR eased to a 60-20 victory over UR-Huye.

26 May 2014

TANZANIA : West Zone Three Off to Winning Start

WEST Zone 3 got their 'B Ball Kitaa' campaign off to a flyer after they posted a 40-37 win over West Zone 4 in the opening match played at the Gymkana Club basketball ground on Sunday.
West Zone 4, comprising of players from Ilala Boma and Magomeni, started the game strongly and dominated the early proceedings of the street basketball encounter, which was played in two halves of ten minutes each.
Inspired by their captain Daniel Kapongo, Zone 4 took a six point lead early in the first half but the winners turned the game on its head after pulling level on six points before taking full control to open a 26-19 lead at the end of the first half.
John Saper and Jacob Marenga led the charge for West Zone 3, notching 9 and 6 points respectively in the opening half. B- Ball break dancers enthralled the crowd with a stunning show at the break to excitement of those in attendance.
There was a lively start to the second half with both teams showing passion for victory. Although West Zone 4 tried their best to chase the game, they found the going tough as Zone 3 players refused to surrender their lead.
Speaking post match, Western Zone 3 skipper, Ashraf Haroun said that their opponents started well and had to change their approach to overcome them. "We knew that it was not easy to penetrate their defence for layups (two-point shot attempts) then we changed our offensive approach, we started to shoot 3 points by using our point-guard Marenga," he said.
West Zone 4's Kapongo rued his team's mistakes that contributed to the loss but believes all teams played well even though. "We did some mistakes, I agree we were not fast as we should but I believe we're going to work on our problems and in the coming game we will emerge victorious," he said.

TANZANIA : 'B Ball Kitaa' Starts in Dar On Sunday

DAR ES SALAAM basketball fans have been urged to show up in big numbers in basketball competitions dubbed 'B Ball Kitaa' which commence on Sunday at Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club Spider's ground.
One of the 'B Ball Kitaa' founders, Karabani Karabani told the 'Sunday News' that no entrance fee will be charged to fans who will turn up to watch the matches which will be played in every Sunday.
"Anybody is allowed to come and watch games, regardless of colour, race and even religion. Our slogan says that basketball is more than a hangout, so there will be good music and we will have fun.
Let's come and enjoy life together," Karabani said. One of the coordinators of the competition, Murshid Mudracat said yesterday that all teams that have registered are ready for the tournaments.
He said the tournament will kick off from this afternoon. "Games are going to start from tomorrow (today) and teams from the Eastern and Western parts of Dar es Salaam will compete.
They are all in good form and almost all teams believe to be a good position to lift the trophy," he said.
He further said that teams which are participating in the 'B Ball Kitaa' are the collection of different street teams in Dar es Salaam and they are divided in to two groups East and West.
He further said it has been a year since 'B Ball Kitaa' started and they have seen significant changes in awareness of basketball game and different people have started to show their passion for the game.
"To some extent our aim has been fulfilled because we have witnessed some changes since the event started last year.
A good number of people have been posting comments on Social Media on how we could keep improving this event," he noted.

KENYA : Things falling apart for former basketball giants Lions

  • Lions in a past league match at Nyayo Gymnasium.(Photo:SNA File)
  • JKUAT Brian Lubano against Upper Hill Emmanuel Rajula on sunday.(Photo by Shutterspeed)
  • Lions in a past league match at Nyayo Gymnasium.(Photo:SNA File)
  • JKUAT Brian Lubano against Upper Hill Emmanuel Rajula on sunday.(Photo by Shutterspeed)
Lions, the oldest basketball club in the country is going through one of its toughest period in the national classic league’s history. After five matches played, they are yet to register a win as their woes continue to deepen.
They lost their key sponsor,Kenya Commercial Bank,KCB last season which led to the mass walk out by virtually all but three of their experienced players .
Denis Opiyo, Victor Ochieng and Moses Wanjara are the only faces remaining in the team from the one that reached playoff semifinals last season. Furthermore, head coach Francis Ngunjiri and his assistant Maurice Shitsama have never shown up in the team’s training as well as matches.
Could this be marking the beginning of the end of the mighty Lions?
“No, I am sure we will bounce back soon,” said Opiyo. “We are engaging a few prospective sponsors and their feedback is positive.”
Unlike in the past, the players have to manage themselves in the absence of a substantive technical bench.
The team solely depended on contributions from individual players to run their campaign last season.
Most of them were employed but it is not business as usual since their departure.
Lions train at the KCB Sports Club in Ruaraka twice per week at a fees of Sh. 3, 000 every month which has kept away many players.
Lions fall heavy to Co-op 
On Saturday, Lions lost 74-28 to longtime rivals and league champions Co-operative Bank in a league match. Co-op led 32-17 at the breather.
Only seven players showed up for the match and could not match the bankers who were a full-house.
Nicholas Anyang top scored for the bankers with 17 points while Moses Ochieng scored 9 for Lions.
United States International University- Africa, USIU-A, had a double win for the weekend. On Saturday, the students beat Blazers 62-18 as Abel Nson scored 12 points from the three-point line against his former side (Blazers).
Alvin Nyangweso added 16 points for USIU while Blazers’ top scorer was Jay Michoma with 7. A day later, USIU was up for their second win beating Equity Bank 55-45. Victor Bosire scored 10 points and Kevin Kigotho added 9 for the students.
The bankers’ highest scorer was George Omenda with 11 points. Varsity side Terrorist continued with their fine run this season with a 38-33 comeback win over Nairobi Aviation College.
Aviation led 22-16 at halftime after registering 6-2 and 16-14 wins in the first two quarters. The third quarter tied at 7-7 while Terror carried home the fourth with a 15-4 score.
Co-op beat KCA 
Innocent Adagala scored 11 points for Terror and Alit Makuac had 16 for Aviation. Blades from Strathmore University was also on the winning side beating visiting Nakuru Club 71-58.
Valentine Nyakinda scored 18 points for Blades while Denis Makori top scored for Nakuru with 15. In the other match of men premier, Kenya Airports Authority beat Kenyatta University Pirates 79-50.
Shem Otieno had a game high 21 points for KAA while Benson Moibi scored 13 for Pirates. Co-op Bank won 65-38 against Kenya College of Accountancy- University, KCA-U, in their women premier match.
Grace Wanjiku scored 18 points for the bankers while Rebecca Nkatha had 10 for the students. USIU-A had two wins for the weekend; beating Sprite Storms 29-24 in a low scoring match and Mennonite 66-15.
Weekend Results: Co-op Bank 65 KCA-U 38 (Ladies), USIU-A 66 Mennonite 15 (Ladies), Blades 71 Nakuru Club 58, Parklands Baptist 32 Dankind Academy 69, Barclays Bank 44 ANU 31, Umoja 60 KCA-U 50, KU Pirates 50 KAA 79, Co-op Bank 74 Lions 28, Blazers 18 USIU-A 62, Terror 38 Nairobi Aviation College 33, Sprite Storms 24 USIU-A 29, USIU-A 55 Equity Bank 45

UGANDA : Work Cut Out for Silverbacks

In three weeks' time, the Uganda national basketball team, the Silverbacks, will represent the country in the Zone V qualifiers here in Kampala.
However, after their 54-64 loss to City Oilers in a friendly match, they need a great deal of improvement; yet time is running out, writes Felix Eupal.
Poor preparations and lack of funds have been chronic issues for the Silverbacks for a long time. However, that was solved with the creation of a national team steering committee early this year.
The committee got to work in style by arranging a one-off Enoch Cup between the Silverbacks and City Oil. With a trophy on hand and Shs 2m up for grabs for the winner, this was meant to bring the best of the national team ahead of more difficult tasks against the region's top teams.
In the end, however, the Silverbacks flattered to deceive. This poses several questions and doubts whether Uganda would lift Zone V qualifiers for the first time since 2005. Uganda needs at least to reach the finals in both the men's and ladies' categories to qualify for the basketball Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted in Egypt next year.
Mandy Juruni, the national coach, knows the picture is not rosy. The offence was blunt, ball rotation lacking, and most of all, the team had no rhythm. They converted only three of 19 shots out of the arc as the Oilers dominated the rebounds 46 to 33. Juruni admits it will be hard to get rhythm before he trims down the team to 12 players.
With more than 20 players in camp, this has bred anxiety and discontent as players remain unsure of their status. "They don't have enough trust in us and we probably won't make the team but we just give our all," says Geoffrey Soro.
The Ndejje forward was not included on the initial team but was later summoned to take part in training. Another inclusion that surprised many is that of Norman Blick, despite being dropped for missing training. According to Juruni, Blick's fate lies in the hands of the disciplinary committee but: "I definitely believe he will make my final 12."
So with Blick back into the team, will we see Isaac Afidra, Ivan Enabu, and Ronnie Kasewu who were dropped also doing the same? Juruni remains cagey on that. As such, the scramble for places is tight and with four foreign-based players expected to fly in this week, it leaves eight slots for the locals.
Matters weren't helped when Juruni and his team missed training on Saturday because the Lugogo arena wasn't available. The Silverbacks have two training sessions this week starting Tuesday before Juruni will select his final squad.

RWANDA : APR edge CSK in hoops league

Saturday
Men
APR               65-64       CSK
Espoir             85-66       UR- Huye
KBC               59-55       Gisenyi
UR- CE          51-108     IPRC
Women
UR-CE            28-47       UR-Huye
APR MAINTAINED their lead at the top of the table after narrowly beating Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK) 65-64 in a national basketball league game played on Saturday at Kicyiru SOS courts.
Sunny Niyomugabo scored 18 points and Jean Baptiste Kabayiza added 14 for the military side.
Patrick Buzangu scored the game high 25 points with his young brother Mike Buzangu adding 20, but their effort was not enough to prevent CSK from suffering a second defeat of the season.
CSK’s other loss came at the hands of the two-time reigning champions Espoir, who beat them 56-47 on March 8.
“I congratulate my players for this victory. We want to keep the momentum throughout the second round,” APR’s Kenyan-born technician Cliff Owour said. Owuor has won the league title five times with APR since his arrival at the club in 2005.
The defeat leaves CSK in third place behind APR and Espoir, who remain second following their 85-66 win over University of Rwanda School of social sciences and arts.
Contact email: editorial[at]newtimes.co.rw

25 May 2014

UGANDA : Ndejje edge Warriors in ugly show


Jonah Otim scored game high 19 points as Ndejje slipped past Warriors 53-49 ZUBL Photo Jonah Otim scored game high 19 points as Ndejje slipped past Warriors 53-49
Riham Warriors 49-52 Ndejje Univ. Angels
UCU Lady Canons 52-55 KCCA Leopards
Riham Warriors are struggling. It was again evident last night when they faced Ndejje University Angels at YMCA. Nearly all went wrong as the dropped a second successive game.
It took Warriors nearly eight minutes to score the first basket in the third quarter, made 23 mostly unforced turnovers, connected just 14 of 66 field goal attempts (10-of-46 inside the arc) overall  – a loss was eminent.
“It is a little few things for us. Most of it is mental. We lack cohesion and guys are committing a lot of unnecessary turnovers.” Warriors coach, Gad Eteu said after the game. “We are not attempting and making as many baskets as we should” he added.
52-49 it ended in favour of Ndejje who at some point led by as many as 10 points. Thanks to Jonah Otim whose 6 of his game high 19 points came off two wide open 3-pointers in the clutch. The guard also picked team high 11 rebounds.
“I think they are a good and experienced team that’s why they hang in there. It’s also came to us as well – we lacked composure at times with our shots and turned over the ball but we won.” Ndejje’s star forward Geoffrey Soro (11 points, 8 rebounds) said.
Jude Ochen scored team high 13 points for, Ronnie Kasewu added 10 points and picked 10 rebounds and Henry Malinga contributed 9 points all from the line as he went 0-for-5 from the field. The veteran post player grabbed 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, KCCA Leopards got off a winning start after Moreen Amoding’s 3-pointer drew steel and the Leopards held on for a 55-52 win over UCU Lady Canons. Martha Soigi and Flavia Oketcho led KCCA Leopards with 13 and 11 points respectively. Claire Lamunu contributed 9 points.
Purity Odhiambo had 15 points for UCU, Vilma Acheng added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Moreen Amoding struggled to get her shot off all night going 2-for-21 from the field (0-for-9 beyond the arc).

UGANDA : Silverbacks struggle but coach Juruni adamant

Kampala- The vibe around next month’s Fiba Africa Zone V Basketball Championships is growing mainly with the hope that hosts Uganda will return to the heady days of 2005.
Nine years ago, Uganda went all the way to the title with Ivan Enabu being declared Most Valuable Player (MVP) but it’s been about finding new lows with every tournament.
Many feel that has been due to ill-preparation, something you cannot point to heading into this year’s edition. Expectations will definitely be higher and so will be the scrutiny. In losing 64-54 to City Oilers on Thursday, the national team, recently named the Silverbacks, invited the latter.
A crowd reminiscent of the playoffs watched in both joy and anger at the Lugogo MTN Arena as coach Mandy Juruni’s team failed to deliver anything close to a finished article, 21 days before ‘showtime’.
Add the fact that Uganda, though hosts, will be underdogs in their own backyard and the gloomy faces will pile up. “Yes, we struggled,” Juruni admitted. “We didn’t shoot well.”
That’s an understatement. The two sides combined to split 10 points for the entire first quarter. You could quadrupled that for a final score of 20 but basketball doesn’t work like that. Offensively, they were pathetic. Defensively, they are at sea especially late in the game when James Okello feasted on too many open lanes for 12 points. Ben Komakech had a game-high 13 for Oilers, 10 in the third.
ENOC CUP - RESULT
Uganda Silverbacks 54-64 City Oilers
TODAY - AIRTEL NATIONAL LEAGUE
M: Sharing vs. Nkumba (3.30pm)
M: UCU vs. KIU (7.30pm)
W: Crane vs. KCCA (1.30pm)
W: KIU vs. Mak Sparks (7.30pm)

24 May 2014

ANGOLA : FAB Downplays Claims After Championship

Luanda — The chairperson of the Angolan Basketball Federation, Paulo Madeira said Friday that the teams have no conditions to complain about the regulation of national male senior basketball championship, won in advance by Recreativo do Libolo of the coastal Cuanza Sul province
The FAB official told Angop that the regulation has been discussed by the technical council of the Federation and the clubs, in order to avoid complaints during or at the end of the competition.
Madeira, who is fulfilling his first term in FAB, was answering the complaint by the coach of 1º de Agosto club, Paulo Macedo, who defends play-off rather than final four.

ANGOLA : Vitorino Cunha Defends Bonification Point At Regular Final Phase

Luanda — The former basketball national coach, Vitorino Cunha defended on Friday in Luanda, the bonification point for the team that ends in the first position in the regular season of senior male championship.
Speaking to journalists, the African champion with national basketball team and 1º de Agosto said that the bonification point in the final phase should be a well conceived without anticipation of winner of tournament in the last round. According to him, at level of competitiveness of Angolan team, the rule on play-off or final four increase the suspense and emotion in the last round. The advantage point of the winner in the regular season is always important.

23 May 2014

UGANDA : Warriors look to prodigal son Okias against Ndejje Angels

KAMPALA.
Having lost to KIU Titans and made to sweat for their victory over Nkumba Marines in their first two season games, Riham Warriors have looked like a mid-table team.
One of the reasons for the indifferent start has been a thin roster. Coach Gad Eteu concurs that the lack of numbers on the bench has hurt them. “It is true,” said Eteu in regards to Warriors’ thin roster.
“But we are working to rectify that situation as soon as possible.”
Fixing that situation is expected to start today with the return of prodigal son Steven Okias, who will be making a season debut.
Okias played for Ndejje last season, who are coincidentally Warriors’ opponents today.
The three-time league top scorer departed Warriors last year after revealing that the club had drifted away from the club’s vision of recruiting young players and developing them as part of a family.
“He should certainly play tomorrow,” was Eteu’s reply yesterday when asked about Okias featuring in today’s game. The coach hinted that Ivan Enabu could also make a u-turn and play for Warriors although the guard was unveiled at rivals Power during the transfer season.
“We only have to sort out a few details to enable him (Enabu) feature for us tomorrow,” he explained.
The pair is expected to link up play with guard Sedar Segamba, who has been the shining light with 28 points in two games thus far. Ndejje will be hoping to improve their offensive approach after their 59-39 loss against UCU Canons in their last game.
TODAY AT YMCA COURT
M: Riham Warriors vs. Ndejje University
W: UCU Lady Canons vs. KCCA Leopards
Wednesday results
Falcons 77-55 Vegetarians
City Oilers 57-47 Charging Rhino

22 May 2014

UGANDA : Ladies' basketball heavyweights clash

2014
Ladies' basketball heavyweights clash

Maureen Amoding tries to power her way past the KCCA defence during last seasons encounter at Lugogo. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
newvision
By Charles Mutebi
National Basketball League
Results
Falcons 77 Vegetarian 55
City Oil 57 Rhinos 47
Friday
Women: UCU v Leopards
Men: Warriors v Ndejje
IT has been the biggest game in local women’s basketball for the last five years. Make that six.
Reigning champions UCU Lady Canons face the KCCA Leopards on Friday at the YMCA in the first seasonal encounter of what is still the best display of women’s basketball in the National Basketball League (NBL).
Female players in the NBL feel they get less attention than they deserve but if there is one game that has tried to promote their cause, it is UCU v KCCA.
The two rivals have split the last five championships, with UCU besting their rivals 4-2 in last year’s best of seven Finals.
But the Leopards have put themselves in a position to bounce back, snatching the best player in the game (Peace Proscovia) from UCU as well as the versatile Winnie Anyango from the Makerere Sparks.
The Canons will brace themselves for a tough battle for this year’s title and Boniface Okello’s team will be boosted by the return of Maureen Amoding.
The talismanic scorer was on the verge of leaving the university side after completing her studies early this year. But she has been convinced to stay and that makes the Canons title contenders again.
In the men’s NBL, the Warriors face Ndejje Angels as both sides seek to bounce back from disappointing defeats from their last games.
The Warriors were defeated by KIU on the back of a questionable display, similar to Ndejje’s low-scoring reverse to the UCU Canons.

21 May 2014

UGANDA : Falcons, Oilers in mid-week NBL action

Falcons Vs Vegetarian 6:30PM
City Oilers Vs Charging Rhinos 8:30PM
Falcons have not hit any humps in their start to this year’s National Basketball League season partly due to the opposition they have faced or are facing (if you like) thus far.
The six-time champions tipped off their campaign against league freshers Sharing Youths, played Charging Rhinos on the weekend. Both teams were very much on the receiving end of atleast 85 points from the ruthless Falcons.
Vegetarian is next in the queue this evening at YMCA and their fate might not be different. Syrus Kiviiri has scored atleast 20 points in each of the games and being a natural scorer with an inherent desire to put up numbers, Vegetarian will have trouble limiting the shooting guard let alone stopping him.
With last season’s regular season MVP, Ben Okumu still struggling to find the hands in the post that got him the accolade, Vegetarian might have to go through other options in Grace Adra, John Otto and Vinnie Jurua to cause any kind of scare to the Falcons.
Unlike most of the game days, both tonight’s match-ups will be between men’s sides. The second game of the evening will see Charging Rhinos who shocked UCU Canons in their season opening game and blown out by Falcons on the weekend face defending champions City Oilers.
After a shock loss to UCU on the opening night, City Oilers have won two in succession including the 82-81 edge of Power. As Nkumba Marines will testify, Oilers have got no more room for complacence.
The team sheets and stats show Vegetarian and Charging Rhinos have got no chance in their respective encounters.

20 May 2014

UGANDA : League giants Power, Falcons on the gallop | NBL


Falcons' foward Steven Omony in action against KIU in an earlier game. He scored 28 points against Charging Rhinos on Sunday Photo Credits: ChimpReports Falcons' foward Steven Omony in action against KIU in an earlier game. He scored 28 points against Charging Rhinos on Sunday
It is now two out of two for Falcons and scoring atleast 85 points in each of the encounters. TheFalcons made no work of the Charging Rhinos with an 86-58 victory on Sunday evening. Steven Omony scored game high 28 points to lead the way for Falcons, Syrus Kiviiri added 22 points and Steven Tumwesigye grabbed game high 12 rebounds to go with 4 points off the  bench. Rashid Male the only Rhino to reach double figures, had team high 16 points and Abel Omoding contributed 8 points.
After the loss to City Oilers the last time out, Tiger Head Power bounced back with a 76-63 win over new comers Diamonds in the Sun. Philip Ameny scored game high 19 points and picked 9 rebounds to lead Power (2-1). Paul Odong chipped in with 16 points and Paul Mwaka scored 10 points to go with 13 boards. DITS (1-1) were led by Frank Ikabert with 16 points and Felix Olaba added 15 points.
In the women’s division, A1 Challenge suffered a third straight loss as they fell 57-48 to Magic Stormers on Sunday. Mariam Birungi scored 15 points and picked 6 rebounds to pace A1.
Barbara Okot added 10 points. Stormers were led by last season’s regular season MVP Carol Nyafwono with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Racheal Nanyonga chipped in with 10 points.
KIU Rangers beat fellow university outfit Nkumba Lady Marines 53-40 behind Florence Nanyonga’s 21 points and 9 steals. Susan Amito backed her up with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Barbara Gimbo had 17 points for Lady Marines.
Sunday Results:
KIU Rangers 53-40 Nkumba Lady Marines (Women)
A1 Challenge 48-57 Magic Stormers (Women)
Diamonds in the Sun 63-76 Tiger Head Power
Charging Rhinos 58-86 Krishna Falcons
Friday Results:
UCU Lady Canons 41-38 A1 Challenge (Women)
Riham Warriors 60-65 KIU Titans

RWANDA : UR- Huye edge Rusizi, 30-Plus

THE UNIVERSITY OF RWANDA - Huye campus registered crucial wins over Rusizi and 30-Plus in the ongoing national basketball championship over the weekend.
The College of Arts and Social sciences beat last year's second runners-up Rusizi 72-55 on Saturday before humbling 30-Plus 71-46 easily on Sunday at Huye campus' gymnasium.
Head coach Charles Mushumba told Times Sport, "We are happy for the results and this is all attributed to hard work. We have set ourselves to finish inside the top four by the end of the season,"
"We are well aware it will require much effort but we will do everything possible to ensure that we realise our target," added Mushumba.
UR-Huye now stand seventh with 20 points in 14 matches played this season.
Elsewhere, former champions APR trounced College of Education (UR-CoE) 89-42 while United Generation Basketball (UGB) club smashed last year's first runners-up Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) 77-64 on Sunday.
Curently, APR lead the standings with 25 points in 15 matches while reigning champions Espoir who were not in action this weekend are placed second with 24 points and three games in hand.
The 2011 champions Cercle Sportif de Kigali are third with 23 points from 12 matches played this season, together with UGB who have played two more games than the latter.
Gisenyi and UR-CE sit bottom of the table tied jointly on 15 points but the latter has three games in hand.
Ranking:
APR BBC: 25 Pts (PG: 15, W/L: 10/5)
ESPOIR BBC: 24 Pts (PG: 12, W/L: 12/0)
CSK BBC: 23 Pts (PG: 12, W/L: 11/1)
UGB: 23 Pts (PG: 14, W/L: 9/5)
Rusizi BC: 20 Pts (PG: 13, W/L: 7/6)
IPRC-Kigali BBC: 20 Pts (PG: 13, W/L: 7/6)
UR-Huye BBC: 20 Pts (PG: 14, W/L: 6/8)
KIGALI BC: 18 Pts (PG: 13, W/L: 5/8)
30 Plus BBC: 17 Pts (PG: 14, W/L: 3/11)
GISENYI BC: 15 Pts (PG: 12, W/L: 3/9)
UR-CE BBC: 15 Pts (PG: 15, W/L: 0/15)
Results:
Saturday
UR-Huye 71-46 30 Plus
UGB vs CSK (Postponed)
Sunday
UR-Huye 72-55 Rusizi
APR 89-42 UR-CE
Kigali 64-77 UGB


SEYCHELLES : National leagues - Drifters stun heat, HotShots grab tough win

Drifters stunned Beau Vallon Heat on Sunday at Victoria Gymnasium, while the other potential title contenders all grabbed wins.

In the women’s league, HotShots had to fight hard to defeat rivals Mont Fleuri.

The men’s division one match between Drifters and Beau Vallon Heat looked likely to be an easy win on paper for the latter, but as we all know in sports anything is possible.

The game started as close as it ended, with the Heat leading 19-17 at the end of the first quarter. Drifters came out stronger in the second quarters, outscoring their opponents by three points (20-17), to head into the half-time break with a one-point lead (37-36).

The second half started with more of the same, this time Heat managed to regain their advantage, taking the score to 54-53. The final quarter saw both teams battling hard to try to take the spoils and despite fatigue, this was the highest scoring quarter with Drifters scoring 28 compared to Heat’s 25 to grab an 81-79 victory. Ervin Agathine led the scores with a 34-point contribution for the Drifters, while Robert Leon scored 26 to lead the Heat in scoring.

In other games, Premium Cobras managed an easy win over RC Dynamics who are only back in the division after the disbandment of Angels.
It was always going to be a tough task for the Roche Caïman side and Cobras’ quality shone through as they collected a 76-47 win. Amadou Sylla led the scores with 15 points for Cobras.

MBU Rockers were up against Praslin Warriors, a side who showed up at Victoria Gymnasium with only five players.
For the five players to play the whole game without rest was surely a very tough ordeal but they remained determined throughout, and had they had a full squad, the result might have been different. At the end of the game, despite the impressive Jackson Auguste’s game-leading 21 points, the Warriors were unable to get the win, as MBU Rockers ran out 74-62 winners.

In the other big game of the weekend, Baya met Mont Fleuri Dawgz in a match billed as a close encounter. But in the end, Baya who were led in scoring by Timmy Adam with 20 points, managed to win it easily. The final score was 68-54.

The only second division match played at the weekend saw Serge Radegonde score 26 points for Razors who collected a 65-62 victory over Juniors.

In the women’s league, Mont Fleuri met HotShots and the Anse Boileau-based team started the brighter to lead 11-6 at the end of the first quarter.

Mont Fleuri fought back in the second and outscored their opponents 16-9 to lead the game 22-20 at the end of the first half.

Mont Fleuri played with the same momentum in the third quarter, winning 10-4 to lead the game 32-24. It was in the final quarter that things went in HotShots’ favour as they managed to score 25 points compared to 15 for Mont Fleuri, edging ahead for a 49-47 win.

HotShots’ Sheriffa Agathine and Mont Fleuri’s Bernadette Songor scored 12 points apiece.

S. N


19 May 2014

ANG0LA : Libolo Crowned Champions Of Bai Basket

Luanda — After beating on Saturday 1º de Agosto by 78-77 at Luanda's Victorino Cunha Arena, Recreativo do Libolo won the national senior males basketball championship (BAI Basket).
Recreativo do Libolo lead the competition with 19 points, while 1º de Agosto occupy the second place with 16 points.
Even if Revreativo do Libolo lose the last two games, they will always top the competition with 21 points, a score that is unreachable by any other team.

UGANDA : Charging Rhinos look to upset Falcons

2014
Charging Rhinos look to upset Falcons

newvision
By Charles Mutebi
National Basketball League (YMCA)
Women
Nkumba v KIU
Stormers v A1
Men
Diamonds v Power
Rhinos v Falcons
THE Charging Rhinos began the season with a headlining comeback-win over the UCU Canons in the National Basketball League.
Today at the YMCA, Famy Sebantandira and his colleagues can show what their victory was all about.
While the 59-57 win over UCU was largely treated as an upset, the Rhinos are team that has been on a steady rise for the last three seasons and it may be that all the steps of improvement are beginning to pay off.
Against, the title-chasing Falcons, Hamza Nyambogo’s young side can make another statement even if they don’t ultimately win.
The Falcons are much more organised than last season when they finished the regular season in seventh, one spot ahead of the Rhinos.
Under the leadership of new chairman Friday Kagoro, the six-time champions are looking to go a step further than the last two campaigns, which ended with defeats in the Finals.
The Falcons looked good in their season-opening 87-57 demolition of Sharing Youth and are likely to make it two wins out of two.
In the second men’s NBL affair, Tiger Head Power will look to bounce back from their memorable one-point loss to champions City Oil last week when they face newly-promoted Diamonds in the Sun.
The Diamonds lost heavily to the KIU Titans in their last affair and they will have to be much better to avoid another hammering.
In the women’s NBL, the Magic Stormers face A1 Challenge while the Nkumba Marines are due to meet KIU Rangers.

17 May 2014

UGANDA : Gombya adjusting to life at KIU Titans

2014
Gombya adjusting to life at KIU Titans
Sam Gombya quit Warriors for KIU Titans. Photo by Michael Nsubuga
newvision
By Charles Mutebi
National Basketball League (Today, YMCA)
Women: UCU v A1
Men: Warriors v KIU
SAM Gombya spent three mysterious years with the Warriors outfit.
Now the enigmatic seven-footer is in the initial stages of life as a KIU Titan and it will be interesting to see how one of the most puzzling players in the National Basketball League (NBL) reacts to a change of environment.
Today at the YMCA, Gombya’s past meets his present as the Warriors face the Titans in the men’s NBL.
It’s hard to know how Gombya will react to the occasion because few things are predictable when it comes to the imposing centre.
As the Warriors painfully found out over the last three seasons, Gombya makes his own rules and often at a whim.
But KIU are hoping Gombya will add an extra dimension to what is an already balanced team.
Gombya is not the only one facing his immediate past in this game.
Joshua Etalu was KIU’s official captain last season but is now back with the team he helped win the 2009 championship.
KIU comfortably won their first two games of the season while the Warriors won their opener but all those victories came against lowly-ranked sides.
This game, therefore, represents either side’s first real test of the season.
Meanwhile, in the women’s NBL, A1 Challenge are concerned about their lack of size ahead of today’s encounter with reigning champions UCU Canons.
“We are short on bigs right now,” confessed A1 assistant coach Mavita Ali yesterday.
Put differently, it is a recipe for A1’s second defeat of the season

RWANDA : Rwanda’s U18 lose continental bid

FIBA U18 Zone V Championship
Girls: Rwanda 55-73 Uganda
Boys: Rwanda 61-63
THE national junior teams failed to book places to the continental championships after losing their final matches in the Fiba Zone Five Championship which climaxed on Thursday in Kampala, Uganda.
The boys’ team which went into the championship as defending champions lost the title to hosts Uganda after losing their final game.
Uganda beat Rwanda with a narrow score 63-61 to lift the regional title and book a ticket to the African tournament which will be held in Cote d’Ivoire.
In the women’s category, Rwanda lost to winners Uganda by a 20-point gap, with the hosts registering a 73-53 win to qualify for the Africa U18 championships scheduled to be held in Madagascar later this year.
Rwanda’s women team finished bottom while Kenya was last in the boy’s category.
This was Uganda’s third title. The country’s two titles were won in the 2005 Fiba Men’s Zone V championship and the 2009 U-18 girls Zone V crown.

16 May 2014

ANGOLA : Libolo Beat Interclube and Narrow Basketball Title Race

Luanda — Recreativo do Libolo defeated on Thursday Interclube by 79-76 at Luanda's Dream Space arena, in the last game of the third turn of the Final Four phase of the national senior males basketball championship (BAI Basket).
With this result, the central Cuanza Sul province-based Libolo club lead the competition with 17 points and is just two games away from the National Men Basketball Championship title.
Recreativo do Libolo is only depending on itself to win the trophy, while the opponents have their fate dependent on other encounters scores, when it is missing three matches to end the competition.
For the same round, 1º de Agosto beat Petro de Luandas by 86-85 at Luanda's Victorino Cunha arena.
1º de Agosto occupy the second place with 15 points, while Petro de Luanda are at 12 position with 12 points.
Interclube are at the bottom of the table with 10 points.

TANZANIA : Dar Set to Host 16-Team Union Basketball League Next Month

DAR ES SALAAM basketball fans are bracing for another exhilarating event when the city hosts the Union Basketball League next month.
The event will come hardly a month after the city successful hosted the East and Central Africa Inter-cities basketball tournament at the National Indoor Stadium.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Commissioner for development, Manaseh Zablon, told the 'Daily News' that they are currently preparing for the Union league which will commence on June 26 this year.
"After successfully hosting the East and Central Africa Inter-cities basketball tournament, now we have the Union league next month," he said.
Manase verified that 16 teams from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar will take part in the Union league. "There will be eight teams from Tanzania Mainland, four for men and other four for ladies.
The same number of teams from Zanzibar will compete in the league," he noted. He added that the league involves teams which finished in the top positions in the national basketball league.
He named the men's team from Tanzania Mainland as Army Basketball Club (ABC), Vijana 'City Bulls', Savio and Chui, while the ladies teams are Jeshi Stars, Don Bosco Lioness, Vijana and JKT Stars.

ANGOLA : Seven Females Basketball Teams to Play Angola Cup

Luanda — Seven senior females teams will start playing on 20 May in the central Benguela province the first eliminatory of Angola Cup in basketball.
The teams include Interclub (title holders), 1º de Agosto, Desportivo Maculusso, Sporting do Bié, Universidade Lusíada, Sporting de Benguela and Misto da Huíla.
The second most important competition under the aegis of the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) reserves for the first eliminatory the match between Sporting Petróleos Bié and Desportivo do Maculusso.
For the same round, Universidade Lusíada and Sporting de Benguela will face each other, while 1º de Agosto will receive Misto da Huíla.
The two-leg final will be played in Luanda on 7 and 8 June this year.

15 May 2014

UGANDA : We are working for the championship game – Eteu

Gad Eteu talking to his players during a timeout of the Warriors - Nkumba game Photo Credits: Basketball 256 Courtesy photo Gad Eteu talking to his players during a timeout of the Warriors - Nkumba game Photo Credits: Basketball 256
After learning of how the basketball clubs’ off season business was done, it comes to you naturally that it will either be Tiger Head Power or City Oilers who will be crowned champions come December when the 2014 National Basketball League season hits the peak. Their first leg match-up last Friday cements that feeling.
City Oilers added experience in Jeff Omondi and Ben Komakech on last season’s championship winning team. Power has the biggest bench in league with half of it good enough to start. Basically the two teams are stars stuffed.
However, Riham Warriors’ coach, Gad Eteu argues that having stars on your team does not necessarily make you win the championship. “It is something else having stars and winning the championship. You have got to be a team and that is what we want to establish.” he said.
Warriors brought in Javan Odhiambo, Sedar Sagamba and Michael Mukula during the off season to replace mostly bench players in Yunzu Maige, Jacob Tokmac and Noel Hesbon (with the exception of Sam Gombya) who left the club. Eteu believes that the trio along with the old players can push the club forward.
“The players we have are ok – for now” he said. “Mark (Opio) will be back by the end of the month, Eric (Malinga) is in the gym, he will be ok to play some part this season. The rest of the guys are fine”
Ivan Enabu who made a u-turn after being unveiled by Tiger Head Power is yet to be cleared to play for Warriors. “He (Enabu) is awaiting FUBA’s clearance and he will play”
Having missed to play at the finals last year (after back-to-back appearances), Warriors’ aspirations for the season are bare. “We are working for the championship game” Eteu told Kawowo Sports.

14 May 2014

KENYA : Thunder rediscovers winning touch

May 13, 2014
  • Ulinzi Warriors Martin Okinda battle for the ball against KAA.(Photo by Shutterspeed)
Thunder registered their first win of the season over the weekend beating Mennonite 70-57 in a national classic league match played at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium.
The last season’s quarter finalists have found the going tough this year, forfeiting the opening three matches. The win on Saturday came as a relief.
Griffin Ligare led the scores for Thunder with 21 points while Felix Odhiambo scored 24 for Mennonite.
It was a dominant show for the Faustin Mgendi side after leading 32-26 at the breather. Mennonite won the first quarter 14-13 with Thunder taking the second 19-12.
The third quarter was Thunder’s share winning 25-18 before the fourth tied at 13-13. Champions Co-operative Bank kept their winning streak intact with a 79-48 victory over Equity Bank.
Co-op took command of the game with a 41-13 halftime lead and had James Mwangi scoring 19 points.
Enock Ogedi scored 13 for Equity. It was, however, business unusual for Lions who lost their fourth straight match going down 77-64 to a strong Kenya Airports Authority, KAA on Saturday.
Lions fall, Ulinzi win
Lions squandered a 35-30-half time lead after scoring 32-12 in the first quarter. Complacency creeped in, in the second quarter as Lions lost 18-3 to give KAA the advantage.
KAA won the third quarter 19-13 to take a one-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter. They eventually broke away and won the last quarter 28-16.
Elphas Mwema scored 14 points for KAA while Victor Ochieng had 15 for Lions. Blazers had a bad outing losing two straight matches.
The first loss was 72-38 at the hands of Nairobi Aviation College. Aviation recorded a comeback win overturning Blazers’ 38-35-halftime lead helped by 18 points from Job Byron. Joseph Kosgei scored 12 for Blazers.
Mennonite who scored a slim 67-63 win inflicted their second loss. Ulinzi Warriors extended their unbeaten run with a 75-60 win over KAA on Sunday. Erick Mutoro scored 15 points for the soldiers while Mark Ouko had 13 for KAA.
Ulinzi won all quarters 12-10, 13-9, 23-15 and 27-26 respectively. Africa Nazarene University was the biggest loser in division one after failing to show up for their two matches. As a result, Zetech College and Parklands Baptist were awarded 20-0 walkovers.
Umoja reaped heavily from the weekend action winning 64-37 against MKU Eldonett and 74-32 over World Hope.
Weekend Results: Saturday- Zetech College 20 ANU 0, Little Prince 52 Trailblazers 46, Dankind Academy 67 Lakeside 46, Umoja 64 MKU Eldonetts 37, KAA 77 Lions 64, Thunder 70 Mennonite 57, Nairobi Aviation College 72 Blazers 38; Sunday- Parklands Baptist 20 ANU 0, World Hope 32 Umoja 74, Zetech College 56 Barclays Bank 48, Dankind Academy 76 MKU Eldonetts 45, Little Prince 43 Lakeside 48, KAA 60 Ulinzi Warriors 75, Mennonite 67 Blazers 63, Equity Bank 48 Co-op Bank 79.

UGANDA : Big dreams behind JKL Dolphins Basketball Club


JKL Dolphins' assistant coach Henry Malinga (blue) issuing instructions during a breather at practice JKL Dolphins' assistant coach Henry Malinga (blue) issuing instructions during a breather at practice
Sport plays a positive role in youth development, including improved academic achievement, higher self-esteem and fewer behavioural problems. Competence, confidence, connections, character, and caring – which are considered by many as critical components of positive youth development are the focus of youth sport.
Dr. Emmanuel Elobu, Emmanuel Angwella, Fredricks Owora and Gad Eteu can’t agree more as that was in sight when starting ‘Just Keep Living’ (JKL) Dolphins basketball club – team made up of school going players. “It is all about the development of (youth) players in all aspects of life. We want them to ‘just keep living’ no matter what” Angwella told Kawowo Sports.
The literature on youth sport stresses the positive effects of participation in learning the important life skills of goal setting and time management combined with enjoyment; the development of a strong sense of morality; and the development of an appreciation of diversity “This is a group different players that were hand-picked. We want to nature these guys along the line they wish to if they are not playing basketball” Eteu said.
One of the major issues that have affected sport in this country has been finance. Basketball giants – Power, Warriors and Falcons let alone City Oilers have given proper demonstrations by landing deals with different companies to finance the clubs and JKL proprietors’ are looking in a similar direction. “We have given it five years to develop. We are using our incomes to finance the club activities at the moment but we want this club to finance its activities within that period (5 years) of time. We want to have as many partners on board as we can.” Angwella said.
Under the guidance of Brian Wathum assisted by local basketball legend Henry Malinga and the determination of the proprietors JKL Dolphins might be the next big thing in Ugandan Basketball. JKL is currently playing Division 2. “We want Dolphins to be the most competitive club in the region. We want to be up there in 5 years” Angwella told Kawowo Sports.
You can follow the activities of the club on social media. Facebook: JKL Dolphins Basketball CLUB  Twitter: @jkldolphins256

ANGOLA : Libolo Defeat Petro and Consolidate Leadership

Recreativo do Libolo crushed Petro de Luanda by 121-90, last Tuesday at Cidadela pavilion, in Luanda, in the main game of the second round of the third leg of the final phase of the National Senior Male Basketball Championship (Bai-Basket).
By half time the Libolo team were already in advantage of six points (57-51).
For the same round, 1º de Agosto defeated Interclube by 89-69 at Victorino Cunha pavilion.
With this result, Recreativo do Libolo now haves 15 points in the leadership and are closer to conquering the title. 1º de Agosto come second with 13 points, followed by Petro de Luanda with 11 points, while Interclube stand in the last position with nine points.

13 May 2014

GAMBIA : GBA Pays Homage to Former Referee

Officials of the Gambia Basketball Association at the weekend pays homage to former referee Seth Williams after the United States Peace Corps' volunteer announced his departure from the country following three years of service to the GBA.
Williams who goes by his Gambian sobriquet Lamin Jaiteh was posted in Dobong village of the Central River Region as an agriculturist but has also volunteered to work with the Gambia Basketball Association as a referee, and has definitely left a mark in the development of the sport in the country under the leadership of Muhammed Papa Njie.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Observer Sports at the weekend, Williams who also worked with the YMCA and the Kotu basketball team says he was sad to be leaving the Gambia having built a strong bond with several Gambians. He added that, his love and knowledge of the game, he deems it necessary to offer help to the GBA.
Williams who added that he has learned about cultural diversity in the Gambia added that he has now seen the real reason why the Gambia is known as the smiling coast of Africa. He added that, Gambians are loving, caring and nice people. "The benefit I learned from my stay in The Gambia will make a lot of good impact in my life, among them are the importance of family and that I want to take back home," he added, while urging the country's basketball to keep practicing, be obedient, hardworking, diligent and understanding so as to achieve their goals. "Though the association is still very young, it is heading to the right direction," he added, while hailing the GBA officials for their support. He also thanked the Jaiteh Kunda family of Dobong for showing him love and care while he stayed with them. "I have made families and friends and am really going to miss them, they are my family now hopefully I will be able to see them again Insaallahu," he added.
The Gambia Basketball Association in a show of appreciation to his efforts in the development of the sport awarded Williams a certificate and undisclosed materials as a presents.
His sending off was also organised to coincide with a domestic basketball game. Games were played between Wednesday and Friday where Wallidan beat Lamin by 99 points to 55. Wallidan also defeated Brikama by 60 points to 45 while St. Augustine's were given the points without kicking a ball after Lamin failed to show up for the game. In Saturday's games, Gambia Armed Forces secured 32 points to 19 defeat of Kotu in the female category while Old School were defeated 48 points to 37 by Kotu in the male category.

TANZANIA : Tanzania to Host 2015 ECA Inter-Cities Basketball Meet

TANZANIA will for the second consecutive time host the 17th edition of the East and Central Africa Inter-cities basketball tournament next year, officials revealed over the weekend.
This will be the fourth time the country plays host to the championships.
The founder of the tournament and former national basketball team player, Simon Msofe, said that Dar es Salaam has once again been voted to welcome different cities from Africa for the event.
"We have confirmed that Dar will host the championships next year. We are very happy to host again and we believe we will have a very good tournament next year," he told players and fans who gathered at the National Indoor Stadium for the final game in which Egyptian city Cairo beat Garowe of Somalia 88-74 to win the men's trophy.
Msofe noted that since they launched the tournament the awareness went on rising every year and they are witnessing amazing talents from young players.
"It has been very well with us... every year we've witness young talented players performing well and even today they showcased their skill," he said. "All teams faired very well and with good preparations, we hope to witness a more exciting competition next year."
The Ilala Municipal Mayor, Jerry Slaa, who was the chief guest, made a passionate call to all stakeholders in the country to invest in basketball, saying it is a very good game which can be an asset for youth and the public.
"I can say that basketball is a loveable and enjoyable game, but we need to increase investment in it and stakeholders should start to invest in this game because it can be a good asset to youth and the society," he said.
Cairo City captain Nour Emad said Dar es Salaam hosted the tournament very well and all teams were fully prepared, especially the team they met in the final.
"In Dar es Salaam, we felt like we were at home throughout the championships. I mean, I didn't feel the difference between here and home," he said.
"All teams were well prepared, there were some challenges, especially in the last game, but we triumphed," he added.
Tanzania has already hosted the Inter-cities tournament thrice in two cities -- Dar es Salaam which hosted it twice and Mwanza.
More than 14 cities from East and Central Africa participated in this year's championships with Cairo emerging men's champions and Nairobi retaining the women's title.

NIGERIA :Police Baton Will Escape Relegation - Coach

The Police Baton Basketball Club of Lagos, currently threatened by relegation in the ongoing 2013/2014 DStv Atlantic Conference competition, on Monday vowed that it would escape from the mucky waters.
Police Baton currently occupies the seventh position on the Atlantic Conference eight-team log.
The Coach, Leo Kareem, said in Lagos that the team would not be relegated in spite of its current position on the log.
The teams Week 9 loss to Union Bank of Lagos 69-79 has, however, further compounded the club's woes.
Union Bank is currently fourth on the log having won six games out of nine played so far.
Kareem, who led the team in the absence of Head Coach, Mark Balogun, said that all hope was not lost yet because the season was still open.
"We are not going to be relegated, truly there are few games to go, but we will surely make it at the end.
"We still have five matches to go before the end of the season out of which one team will be relegated from the conference, so we still have great chances of escaping relegation.
"If we cannot make it as one of the first four teams for the Play-offs, at least we can escape being relegated," Kareem said.
Meanwhile, Chris Nomigo, the Head Coach of Dodan Warriors of Lagos, has expressed happiness over his team's brilliant displays and their strings of victories in league.
Warriors are currently third in the conference having won their last three games.
This was, however, after the club's shocking loss to Nigeria Customs in their Week 6 encounter in April 11.
Nomigo lauded his players' performances over Oluyole Warriors of Ibadan, saying that the 69-59 humiliation of the high ridding Oluyole was heartwarming.
The coach, who in the current season took over from versatile Coach Peter Ahmedu, now with Mark Mentors of Abuja, admitted that following his predecessor's records was imperative.
He also said that his team would continue to wax stronger and that all hands were on deck to see them do well.
"I'm confident of my team turning out good results until the end of the current season.
"We lost to Oluyole in Ibadan in our first leg encounter, but defeating them in Lagos with a wider margin shows our edge in the competition and our ability to win," Nomigo said.
Dodan Warriors next game is against current log leader, Lagos Islanders, who on Friday beat Royal Hoopers, 65-60 in Port-Harcourt to remain atop.
Dodan Warriors had also defeated Islanders, 69-59, in their first leg encounter played in March in Lagos.
"We are aware of Islanders' current form and it promises to be a tough match indeed, but I have good confidence in my players," he said.
In another match, Lukman Kuti and Emmanuel Balogun of the Nigeria Customs proved too hot for visiting Kwara Falcons as Customs pounded Falcons 63-55.
Kuti and Balogun scored 15 and 13 points respectively, leaving Falcons players mesmerised, especially in the third quarter when Customs sealed the victory.

RWANDA : Espoir maintain unbeaten record

men’s league
Sunday
Rusizi 101-43 UR-CE
APR 50-56 IPRC-Kigali
Saturday
UR-Huye 74-55 UR-CE
UGB 56-40 30Plus
Friday
Espoir 68-58 APR
DEFENDING champions Espoir Basketball Club continued their dominancy in the national basketball league as they registered a 10-point gap against APR to maintain the lead at the summit of the standings over the weekend.
They registered a 68-58 win over rivals APR on Saturday to move to 24 points in 12 matches played this season.
Closest arch rivals CSK who never played over the weekend are joint second with APR on 23 points. However APR has played two matches more than Espoir and CSK. UR-Huye won their fourth game of the season, beating UR-CE 74-55 while United Generation Basketball defeated 30 Plus 56-40 on Saturday.
On Sunday, Rusizi thrashed UR-CE 101-43 as APR beat IPRC-Kigali 50-56.
UGB stand fourth on the ladder with 21 points in 13 matches; followed by IPRC-Kigali in fifth position with 20 points.
Gisenyi and UR-CE are placed bottom of the standings with 15 and 14 points after playing 15 and 14 matches respectively this season. The Nyamirambo-based club, Espoir who have won the league and playoffs titles for the past two consecutive seasons are keen to maintain the dominancy according to head coach Jean Bahufite.
Espoir set the record of winning the league title three times in a row from 2003 to 2005 and that was equaled by their archrivals APR in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The reigning league and playoff champions are planning to finish the league with an unbeaten run.

12 May 2014

TANZANIA : 'Dream Team' Settle Third in Inter-City Basketball Meet

HOSTS Dar es Salaam men's side popularly known as 'Dream Team' settled third after they beat Citizen City from South Sudan 59-49 in the Inter-city basketball tournament encounter at the National Indoor Stadium.
The lunch -time third place play off match attracted a good number of basketball fans was thrilling and mouthwatering as both teams put up a brave performance.
Dream team started with a high tempo in the first quarter, scoring 21 - 11 points, thanks to an outstanding performance by their shooting guard Erick Lugola, who scored 18 points alone in the whole game.
The Sudanese recovered in the second quarter, in which they looked more aggressive and scored 14 points, while Dream team posted 12 points, meaning at the breather the scored board read 33-25 in favour of the Dream team.
In both second and third quarters, Citizen tried to stretch their opponents to the limit, using their shooting guard, Bol Abok and point guard Ayuel Malua Leek.
The duo gave 'Dream team' torrid time with eye catching dribbling skills. It was not surprising to see Citizen winning the third quarter 19-14 and slightly reduced the total margin to 47- 44 as the match sailed into the final quarter.
Brief quarrel emerged in the fourth quarter, when the Egyptian referee, Wael Abdhiay called for 24 seconds foul for Dream team, a decision which was vehemently contested by coach, Kablula Shomari by the fact that the machine for counting 24 seconds collapsed.
The coach won in the battle and the game continued where Dream team dominated the last quarter with 8 points while citizen scored 5. Commenting on the game, Citizen City coach, Burshara Mursara stated that it was a good and entertaining game, saying if African countries decide to invest in basketball they will certainly benefit a lot.
"There is a lot for African countries to explore in basketball... we have talents and skills. I believe we can do much more than what we are doing at the moment.
"We have young players who can play anywhere in the world, our fans are our sponsors, let's make this a great deal, we have talented basketballers in Africa," he said.
He praised 'Dream team' for a good show, saying they put up a good display but still need to improve. For his part, the coach Shomari noted that they expected a different game from Citizen.
"They came with a different game strategy from what we had expected, however, we managed to handle them.
"Truly they surprised us, we saw them in the other matches and we expected them to play man to man but eventually they played zonal game but we were flexible and we changed to win the game," he said.
In the other game, which was the final women game in the tournament, Nairobi defended the title after beating Kampala 59 - 58.

East Africa: Dar Ladies in Tatters at EAC Inter-City Tourney

DAR ES SALAAM women team failed to recover from their losing streak in the ongoing East and Central Africa intercity basketball tournament at the National Indoor Stadium after losing for the third time against Kampala.
The 'Dream Team' as popularly known, suffered a 64-52 defeat from the well organised Kampala ladies and were the second best throughout the game.
In the first quarter, Dar es Salaam started with a high tempo and enjoyed a lion share of possession and scored quick baskets. However, they were suddenly brought to a pause by their opponents who were well driven by captain, Flaviana Oketchu.
From then, Kampala never looked back as they continued to stretch their muscles, winning all four quarters of the game. Dar es Salaam team tried to fight back banking on their key player -- Nyaeri Bwana who was the Point Guard in the game but as they were trying to move forward, Kampala hit them on the break and scored points at will.
After the game, Kampala team captain Oketchu said that her team deserved to win the game against Dar es Salaam and now they are looking forward to win against defending champions Nairobi on Saturday.
"We are very happy... you know we came all the way from Kampala to win the tournament and we have the qualities to win the title this year," she said.
She further acknowledged the great start of Dar es Salaam team, saying that they came so hard and it was not easy to beat them.
"It was not easy to emerge winners against resolute Dar es Salaam. They came so hard in the first quarter. However we tried so hard to make sure we win through team work, but it was not easy to win," she said.
For her side, 'Dream Team' captain Sajda Hamedy said that her team lost morale in the game, and they failed to keep possession because they were in a deep slumber.
"We were simply a sleeping giant and completely lost morale. I felt we had a perfect start into the game but we failed to maintain our tempo and allowed our opponents to dictate terms," she said.

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