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Basketball top flight sides bolster teams ahead season start

Wednesday, March 18th, 2020 00:00 | By
KPA’s Evans Letting battles for the ball against KPA Lucas Osano of Ulinzi in a past league tie. Photo/PD/DAVID NDOLO

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) leagues were set to jump off on March 21 but has been postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Teams, however, had started preparing for the season with several changes effected by the top four in the men’s league.

Former champions and last season’s losing semi-finalists Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) held their trials last week from where 26 (21 men and five women) were identified to join the company’s various teams.

According to coach Sammy Kiki, the 21 identified will form a KPA men’s youth team that the company intends to enter in the county league this season as they work their way to the KBF leagues. 

“For the senior team, we have identified other players from the county league who will join us. Those identified to join the senior team were not part of the trials we held.

With an exception of a few players who have left or expressed interest to, I will maintain the same squad that did duty for the side last season,” said Kiki. 

KPA will do without the services of Paul Ekiru who has since moved to the Ugandan league turning out for KCCA.

Missing Kenyan international Ariel Okal, who is currently on a six-month stint in Algeria and is said to be headed to Uganda’s City Oilers upon expiry of his contract in the North African country, will also be a blow to the Mombasa-based team. 

Kristoff Thande is also not in Kiki’s plans with reports indicating he is set to join champions Ulinzi Warriors.

However, team manager Stephen Bartilol denied reports that the club is in talks with the 31-year-old on a possible move.

“We might also miss the services of our point guard Keegan Oyugi who has rejoined his family in the United States.

However, the team management is finalising the signing of Congolese shooting guard Michael Bwanga.

Faisal Aden is also in talks with the management but an agreement is yet to be reached,” added Kiki.

Meanwhile, last season’s losing finalists Nairobi City Thunder have roped in Collins Odhiambo from Kenya College of Accountancy-University 

However, coach Sadat Gaya will miss the services of defensive player Shem Otieno who has joined Equity Bank, as well as Collins Wekesa. 

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