Basketball in Africa

Phillip Onyango
Nairobi

Basketball action shifts to Shimba Hills Secondary when top clubs and schools drawn from all-over the Coast region converge for the Shimba Hills Open basketball tournament on Saturday.

Principal Robert Aran who is coordinating the event said 15 teams have already confirmed their participation in the one day event which will be used by the teams to fine tune ahead of two major basketball tournaments planned for Mombasa Sports Club this month.

Aran, who has sponsored the tournament, said Shanzu Teachers College, Mikindani Cruisers, Mombasa Sports Club women's team and reigning Kenya and East Africa secondary schools champions Mombasa High School are among the teams which had by Tuesday confirmed their participation.

"With no administration structures in place, basketball teams at the Coast have been very idle and thus the reason we have organised the tournament to give the teams some exposure during this pre-season training period", Aran said.

He said all the teams were welcome regardless of their status adding that having league clubs at the championships will give the young players enough exposure.


Meanwhile, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women's team will soon start scouting for young players to strengthen the squad ahead of next years assignments.

kA welfare and sports officer, Edward Odour said there was great need to beef up the squad with young talent to give the team a new life line.

"We are targeting at least five young players who should be able to do duty for the company at least for the next five years to bring into the team new blood", he said.