KPA begin preps for African tourney

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women basketball team have returned to full-time training after a long break occasioned by coronavirus pandemic. 

The dockers, whose immediate international assignment will be to represent the East Africa region at Fiba Africa Club Championships in Cairo, Egypt next month, have also bolstered their ranks with the acquisition of Equity Bank star forward Ritah Aluoch as the team intensified training at KPA Makande Gymnasium under strict Covid-19 prevention protocols from Ministry of Health. 

The team has also engaged the services of a qualified medic Farida Abdallah, who has specialised in emergencies, to oversee their training sessions for safety of players.

Anthony Ojukwu, who has returned as head coach after a year's break, believes they can win all the trophies on offer this season. 

According to Ojukwu, the decision by KPA's management to ensure all players train together in Mombasa will help build the chemistry in the team which has been lacking in the past. 

"I am extremely happy with the recruitment we did because it is a blend of mostly youth and  experienced players which will ensure continuity in the tea," said Ojukwu who has also thanked the management for the pre-season training which he says is a first at KPA. 

All but three of 15 new players who were recruited by KPA for the upcoming season reported to Mombasa on Sunday and have been training under the watchful eye of Ojukwu who has not only vowed to reclaim the national league title but also a podium finish at African championships for the first time. 

With school girls Medina Okot Mullah and Barbra Diana training separately at Kaya Tiwi Secondary School while attending classes, new signing Ritah Aluoch Onyango is attending college in Kisumu and will link up with the rest later in the month.

Catherine Oloo, who was signed from Western Delight, is a teacher in Western and will only be engaged in crucial matches according to Ojukwu.

The rest of the new recruits among them Celia Okumu ( Tangit Sparks),Terry Ekise and Diana Apiyo (Kenyatta University) , Mary Lisa Omondi and Georgina Aketch ( formerly of Butere girls), Yvonne Atieno and Lilian Ochola ( formerly of Kaya Tiwi), Carol Akinyi (formerly of Kisumu Lady Bucks ) and Halima Nzomo and Vivian Nafula who have been promoted from KPA youth were all in training when Nation Sport visited the team at their base on Tuesday. 

Also in Mombasa for training with the rest of the team are newly appointed captain Vilma Awino, Hilda Luvandwa, Taudencia Katumbi, Rachael Wandago and Brenda Angeshi. 

Those absent due to work commitments are Natalie Akinyi, Seline Okumu and Becky Nkatha.

Apart from the continental event, KPA women are also preparing for KBF pre-season tournament in Nairobi on January 30 ahead of the league kick off on February 6.