14 February 2009

KENYA : Zone 5 Qualifiers. Two players pull out of national team due to examinations

The national women's team preparations for the Zone Five qualifiers in Rwanda have suffered a severe jolt when two players pulled out of team because of examinations.

National team and Strathmore University center Beryl Amayo together with enterprising forward Faith Owich will not be available for the Kigali showcase as the event dates coincides with their examinations.

Coach Anthony Ojukwu confirmed the unavailability of the duo for the event slated to throw off at the Amahoro Petit Gymnasium in Kigali from February 24-28 but at the same time said he has injected two more players into the team before the deadline.
"I talked to them today and they said they will not travel with the Kigali. Its a blow that Beryl and Owich are out but I have called two more players to give us the numbers. I am optimistic that they will fit into the system well and be of help to the team. "said Ojukwu.

The two players called by Ojukwu are Sprite Storms Emma Nyakweba and Irene Makori. They reported at the Coca Cola Stadium yesterday where they trained with the rest of the team that also received Yana's much improved forward Mitchel Otinda.
Amayo was a member of the team that travelled to, Senegal for the Africa Feminine championships in 2007 and finished last in the 12 team event that was won by Mali. The other players who were in Dakar but have not reported are Eunice Ouma and Caroline Achieng of Eagle Wings.

Team captian Angela Luchivya have pulled out as well due to pressure of work and last year's league MVP as is Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) forward Caroline Arato who is reported to have been unhappy after being called as after thought.

Ojukwu told Fiba Africa yesterday that the men will also miss two key players Richard Osano and Cliff Ochieng whom he said are out of the country. UoN's hard running Mike Opinya and Posta's Franklin Delano who was Division One MVP reported for training.
"I have confirmed that Cliff and Richie are not around as well. This is also bad news for the team but we will work with the ones at our disposal and see how it goes." said Ojukwu who was set to submit his final list to Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) after yesterday's sessions.

As the national men and women's team struggle to put their feet down to serious training, their opponents Egypt and Rwanda, both handled by foreign coaches, are finalising their trainings in Cairo and Kigali respectively.

Dann O. Were from fiba-africa

Comments: Post a Comment



<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?