By Erick Ochieng’
Eagle Wings face a possible ban for boycotting the last quarter of their match against Rwanda Patriotic Army (APR) at the Africa Zone Five championship in Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday.
Wings’ fate now depends on the report that would be presented to the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) by the match commissioners who were handling the championshi
"Eagle Wings’ fate lies the hands of Fiba after going through the championship report.
"What they did has never happened in the history of the championship and it was disturbing," said Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) First Vice Chairman Henry Shihemi upon arrival from Uganda yesterday.
Shihemi said he could not comment on the matter on behalf of KBF since he was in Kampala as a match commissioner.
However, Eagle Wings coach Thomas Olumbo has a bone to pick with Shihemi and KBF, saying they failed in their duty in Kampala.
No Action
"Teams spend a lot of money to participate at the event but it is saddening to see KBF and its representative taking no action when there is bias in a match,’ said an agitated Olumbo.
A local basketball chief who did not want to be named said in such circumstances, Fiba issues instructions to the local basketball governing body that will then impose the decided ruling on the team.
Disputed Match
"This matter depends on how the match head commissioner writes the report and how KBF will also handle the whole situation. If it is a fine, Fiba will then impose it on KBF who will then load it on the team in question," he said.
The disputed third play-off match in the women’s category was subsequently awarded to APR who were leading 64 - 49 by the time Eagle Wings pulled out. The category was successfully defended by KPA, who triumphed 67- 45 against KCC Leopards of Uganda.
Meanwhile, local men’s Premier League runners-up Co-Operative Bank bagged the regional men’s title after beating three-time Ugandan league champions Warriors 53-47.
Co-Op-Bank, who won after decade-long wait, won the quarters 16-11,7-16,15-14 and 15-16. Eugene Genga and Bernard Sitati raked in15 and 12 points for the victors.
Kenyans also scooped the Most Valuable Player awards at the event. Richard Osano (Co-Op Bank) won the men’s category, while Irene Murambi (KPA) won in the women’s category.
Top scorer’s award in themen’s category went to Warriors’ Ronny Kasero while APR’s Honore Ayebare won in the women’s category. Uganda’s KCC won the fair play category.