Morans receive massive financial boost for Afrobasket qualifiers
Kenya Basketball Federation National Teams Board members Maurice Alunga (left) and Angela Luchivya (second left) pose with a dummy cheque of Sh3 million from Rentco Limited Deputy CEO Michael Aming (second right) and Legal Director Margaret Mucheru on November 21, 2020, at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium in support of Kenya Morans ahead of Fiba Afrobasket qualifiers to be held in Kigali, Rwanda next week.
What you need to know:
- Speaking to the team virtually at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium, Amina said victory for Kenya will further spur interest and development of the sport in the country
- On Saturday, just after Amina's motivating address, Rentco unveiled their three-year sponsorship package of Sh3 million and playing kit worth Sh5 million to the team
- Morans face former champions Senegal and Angola in Group “B” on Wednesday and Thursday respectively
Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed Saturday rallied Kenya’s Morans ahead of Fiba AfroBasket qualifiers planned for next week in Kigali, Rwanda.
Speaking to the team virtually at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium, Amina said victory for Kenya will further spur interest and development of the sport in the country.
‘’We are happy for the team and the way you have prepared. We wish you the best and the government will always support you,” said Mohammed with the government having supported the team with close to Sh5 million.
Amina noted that the Morans have drawn huge interest with their sterling performances pointing out that the support from Leasing Assets Company, Rentco and the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) were a clear indication.
On Saturday, just after Amina's motivating address, Rentco unveiled their three-year sponsorship package of Sh3 million and playing kit worth Sh5 million to the team.
Kenya Basketball Federation National Teams Board chairman Thomas "Big Ted" Kwaka (left) and member Michael Riziki (second left) pose with a jersey from Rentco Limited Deputy CEO Michael Aming (second right) and Legal Director Margaret Mucheru on November 21, 2020, at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium in support of Kenya Morans ahead of Fiba Afrobasket qualifiers to be held in Kigali, Rwanda next week.
NOC-K had on Thursday donated playing and training kits worth Sh500,000 to the team at their Nyayo training base.
At hand to receive the sponsorship cheque and the kit from Rentco deputy chief executive officer, Michael Amingh, were the National Basketball Teams’ Management Board chairman Thomas “Big Ted” Kwaka among other board and Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) officials.
Thunder’s Griffin Ligare is among four players, who were sidelined when Owuor picked his final squad of 12 players ahead of the team’s departure on Sunday for Kigali.
“Ligare is out because of work commitment while the others were dropped because their colleagues had an edge over them in terms of performance in camp,” said Owuor.
Others who have been left out are Faheem Juma (Thunder), Victor Ochieng (KPA) and Joseph Khaemba (Ulinzi). “They will rejoin the team since we have more assignments in store,” said Owuor.
National basketball team Morans coach Cliff Owuor (centre) gives instructions to his players during their training session at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium on November 21, 2020 for Fiba Afrobasket Group 'B' qualifiers to be held in Kigali, Rwanda.
Denmark-based Tylor Okari is the only professional player, who had not reported to camp but is expected Saturday night from his foreign base. Desmond Owili, who is based in Australia had arrived earlier.
“We shall have at least one session with Okari before we leave and in Kigali. Everybody is set and our target is to win all our matches,” said Owuor.
Morans face former champions Senegal and Angola in Group “B” on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. They will then play Mozambique on Friday in their last group match.
National Basketball Team Morans Desmond Owili (left) vies with Faheem Juma during their training session at Nyayo National Stadium indoor gymnasium on November 21, 2020 for Fiba Afrobasket Group 'B' qualifiers to be held in Kigali, Rwanda.
The qualifier has five groups where three top teams from each will qualify for the next year’s finals.
Kenya last took part in the finals in 1993 when Nairobi hosted the championship.
Angola have won the Afrobasket title a record 11 times, having also settled for silver four times and bronze two times. They won the diadem last in 2013 and lost in the quarter-finals to hosts Senegal during the last event in 2017.
Squad
Victor Bosire, James Mwangi, Eric Mutoro (Captain), Ariel Okal, Bush Wamukota, Fidel Okoth, Desmond Owili, Preston Bungei, Victor Odendo, Ronnie Ngundo, Valentine Nyakinda, Tylor Okari
