Fun returns to Nairobi next week following the return of the ever popular Basketball Aspirations 3on3 challenge.
The event that took the Kenyan capital by storm years back will be staged at the Nairobi Railways club courts with the quarter finals, semis and finals being staged at Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.
The event is making a big return after six years hiatus and the participants-both boys and girls have been promised bug prizes in this festive month according to Bantu Kaniaro.
"If you've ever played or watched 3on3 basketball, then you know it’s one of the most exciting and competitive short-sided games in the world. 3on3 follows basically the same rules as traditional basketball, but is played on only half the court" said Kaniaro.
At stake is over Kshs.250,000 prize money.The winner walks away with Kshs.100,000.The Runner-up Kshs 60,000.
That is not all- also on the menu will be a slam-dunk and a three-point shoot out contest where Kshs. 60,000 will be up for grabs.The fans will not be left out either as they will have an opportunity to participate and win assorted prizes.
Posta over the weekend became the inaugural Tom Munyama memorial tournament winners during the finals played in Mombasa.
Posta dismissed home boys Congo nets 67-28 in the men's finals. The mailmen who finished fifth in the concluded national league, led 39-19 at the break and had new force Desmond Owili lead all scorers with 21 points. Nets Stephen Odhiambo nailed 11 for his side.
Posta crushed Mombasa Polytechnic 64-31 while Congo Nets battled hard before winning 60-50 against rivals Kiembeni.
Yana on the other hand was too hot for Predators whom they hit 46-28 to become the women winners of the event. At the break Yana gave the losers, a team composed of former stars a lesson as they were up 39-24 at the breather.
Hilda Indasi had 23 points for Yana while Emilly Ongoro nailed 13 points for Predators. In the semi finals, Yana hit Mombasa sports Club 34-29 while Predators had it easy 20-0 against Barclays Eaglets.
The Most valuable Players (MVP) awards went to Men Stephen Odhiambo ( Congo nets)
and Hilda Indasi ( Yana). Jimnah Kimani said Coast branch will honour the late tom Munyama by making the event wat annual event.
It was a fitting result for Posta and yana whose head coaches Ronny Owino and George Namake worked very closely with the late Munyama to promote the game in the country said his younger brother jack Arum, based in USA.
Munyama went to school at Mombasa Baptist before moving to Nairobi where he was an administrator, an international referee and a national coach and Arum said they will support the tournament.
He was the first tactician to lead Kenya team to a silver medal in an Africa championships in Senegal (1992) as well to their only appearance in the Fiba World Championships in Austraila (1994).
Timothy Aguga of Kiembeni Heats and Purity Adhiambo of Mombasa Sports Club (M.S.C) were declared the events top scorers in the men and women category respectively
The teams that took part were. Posta, Makupa Lakers, Makande Rebels, Mombasa polytechnic, Barclays Eagles, Congo Nets, Kiembeni Heats, Mtwapa Creeks, and Shimo School.
In the women category were- MSC A and B teams, Predators, Yana and Barclays Eaglets.
Dann OWERRE
FIBA Africa