Kenya basketball fraternity mourns USIU’s ace Misingi
The tragic death of 25-year-old USIU-Strikers Basketball team player Gabriel Misingi on Sunday night has jolted the basketball fraternity in the country after revelations that the Congolese national was stabbed to death.
The killing of Misingi puts into the limelight the growing cases of insecurity in Nairobi.
Details from close sources to Misingi reveal that “Gabu” as he is popularly known, had taken part in a Division One League match against Blazers at the University of Nairobi Grounds on Sunday evening before his team’s bus took the team back to Campus.
Information that People Sport is alive to is that players who do not reside in the University Complex hostels, then departed for their rental apartments close to the school with the Misingi heading off to his Roysambu residence that evening.
Kenya Basketball Federation Chairman Paul Otula in his message moaned about the security scare of players in the country.
Heinous act
“We are really worried about the safety of our players as they travel home after league games. We humbly request the government to protect our athletes. Sports is a key economic activity in our country and internationally. The criminals must be apprehended. They should not get away with this heinous act. It is so sad for such a talented Basketballer to die at his prime age,” Otula said.
Insiders said Misingi in his usual spirited nature was hanging out with his buddies and teammates at one of the joints in Roysambu to while the night away.
Later there was a commotion in the joint where police on patrol from Kasarani Police Division found an unconscious man with blood gushing from his body. They rushed him to the nearby Hema Hospital where the deceased breathed his last.
Meanwhile it was a weekend of shocks in the Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League when bigwigs Ulinzi Warriors and Eagle Wings were beaten albeit by traditional punching bags.
At Langata Complex, visitors Eldonets stunned hosts Ulinzi Warriors 56-51. Jeremiah Aliva for the visiting side was top-scorer with 17 points in the basket. Renson Moibi (10 points) and Meshack Oloo (11 points) were the other big scorers for the North Rift side.
On the other hand, the hard-fighting Ulinzi who were hard done by poor defence and missed some crucial free throws, had David Kitongo on 12 points as the main marksman.
assisted closely by skipper Eric Mutoro. Ulinzi had missed opportunities with field goals. Joseph Owino and Anthony Bwire who spent about 20 minutes collectively on the court contributed zero points on the board while on the other end, Anthony Rono and Caleb Karuri also left the court with nil points after spending five minutes on the court altogether after coming off the bench.
