A few years back, Ugandan boxers used to share gum shields, eat sugarcane as refreshments and train on empty stomachs. It was almost the same story in club football, athletics and all other minor sports.
Athletes were surviving on their own yet they struggled to represent the nation in regional and international competitions. The trend is steadily changing although boxers are bound to go back into the same quandary due to the recent administrative bickering. Some runners and footballers have turned professional and are earning handsomely.
Several federations, despite the eternal poor government funding, are organizing leagues which can be envied by some neighbouring countries. Corporate companies have come in to fill the gap left by government and the results are there for all to see.
Basketball By the time MTN started sponsoring basketball in 2004, the national league had about 12 teams (eight men) and four (women). Currently, there are close to 40 teams featuring in the league. Whereas the teams don’t get a share of the sponsorship directly, the trickle-down effect has changed the face of basketball. From a pastime sport, nowadays basketball attracts crowds that can’t be traced in a local football stadium. Yet, a ticket for a big basketball game doesn’t go for less than Shs5,000. Before, entrance to league game venues was free.
While MTN are currently the sole league sponsors, clubs have taken another step by getting financiers of their own. Three-time men’s champions Power took the leading role, bringing on board Sadolin Paints and later DMark Mobile. Record champions Falcons reportedly signed a Shs70m contract with Mountain Dew last year although their achievement has been overshadowed by the recent misunderstandings with star player Stephen Omony.
The player two weeks ago terminated his Shs72m two-year contract with the club due to non-payment of wages. With the help of Standard Chartered Bank, Miles Associate and Land O’Lakes the local basketball governing body, Fuba have been able to construct basketball courts in several schools around Kampala. Sprite also announced last year they would renovate and construct new facilities around the country.
Where would all this come from without corporate support since sports remains nowhere in government’s priorities?
Vijana have blown away their opportunity to contest this year’s Dar es Salaam regional basketball league title after conceding two consecutive defeats over the weekend.
The team, which was until earlier last week the only side outside the top four capable of causing ripples in the title chase, went down to Pazi and ABC to crash out of the run.
The two defeats have now left Vijana with 15 points from nine matches, winning six and losing three, with a total of 550 goals.While Vijana have dropped to the sixth position following their lackluster performance in recent games, Pazi have leapfrogged to the fifth position after posting two wins recently.
Led by the in-form Ikungura brothers Andrew and Ladislaus, Pazi beat Vijana and later dictated terms to overcome hard fighting PT Stars to bag 16 points from nine matches, winning seven and losing two to bring their total number of points to 545.
Tanzania Prisons is yet another side no better either following having conceded two defeats, one at the hands of holders JKT and the other to Oilers over the same weekend.
Prisons’ winning streak over equally modest opponents was snapped to leave the warders at the eighth position with 14 points from nine matches, winning five and losing four.The top three positions in the league standing have remained unchanged with Savio leading the pack on 21 points from 10 appearances, winning nine and losing only one.
ABC and Oilers are second and third respectively, after enjoying superb display last weekend. ABC have 20 points while Oilers are breathing heavily on the formers neck with 19 points.
In ladies category, Jeshi Stars intensified their title quest with a unique unbeaten run to collect 10 points from five appearances.Their recent convincing wins the army ladies have posted in their recent matches have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are determined erase poor form they experienced in the previous season.
Jeshi Stars’ 76-56 points victory over closest challengers and rivals JKT Stars ensured the former are the hottest favourites for the silverware’s podium finish.JKT Stars will have to continue getting hold of the second position to fend off the challenge from the resurgent Cargo Ladies who beat Don Bosco Lionesses by 66-56 points in their latest encounter.
Commissioners have scored the biggest win so far in the Liberia Basketball Federation National championship.
Commissioners dumped their opponents Supreme Sisters 61-7 on Monday to record the biggest win so far this season. And that was in the female category. The day’s final encounter between Barnesville Celtics and Harbel Pointers fail to take place due to power failure. The incident comes barely two days after the LBF received a 27 KVA generator from its sponsor the Premier Service Group. It is not yet clear as to whether it was the generator that failed to provide the power as LBF authorities have reserved comments on the matter.
Feb. 13, '10: Hoops this weekend was in action in the last basketball gala before the league resumes. Teams have been using these games to test new players and playing strategies. From the level of plays and players shows just how cracking this year's will be. Tems in the gala included Tema Youth, Magic, Ashiama Lions, Panthers and Hoops. Below are some of the results from the gala:
Each game was played four quarters, ten minutes running time per quarter except the match Hoops played against Magic which was twelve minutes per half. Tema Youth and Hoops match could not conclude due to poor visibility.
National men and women champions KC Lions and Eagle Wings open their premier league campaigns with easy matches when the 2010 league throws off April 17.
Lions meet newly promoted Blazers while Wings take on Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA) as the classic league gets under way at Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium with a total ten matches on card that weekend.
But the weeks mouthwatering tie pits former champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya against International Christian Center (ICC), the two giants finished third and fourth respectively last year.
Sprite Storms play Eastern Queens, a star studded team that suprisingly finished in the third slot and who will try their luck again while Strathmore University meet Yana in another women's show.
Posta who finished fifth take on Strathmore University a team that promised so much but still underperformed. Many people are waiting to see how the mailmen will perform without full time services of veteran tactician Ronnie Owino.
Lomboritz confronts University of Nairobi "Terrorists" in a match bringing together two teams that took the last two places. The campus lads will miss key center Rodney Genga out of the country for further studies.
In the lower divison, Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) take on Parklands Baptist, Mennonites play Nakuru Club while debutants Kenya Polytechnic square off against Emyba.
The first fixtures outside Nairobi will be in Nakuru a week latter with home boys Nakuru Club hosting World Hope while Friends of Basketball also travel to Kisumu to play Lakeside.
Former national champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) sides will travel to Nairobi to take on Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) Predators with the men playing Blazers.
Meanwhile, the action starts on march 20-21 with the pre season tournament to be held at the Nairobi Railways club.
Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) fixtures secretary Joseph Amoko have asked teams to confirm entry by March 17. The participation fee is shs 3,000 per team.
Fixtures April 17: NPC v Parklands Baptists, Mennonites v Nakuru Club, KCA v Eagle Wings, KC v Blazers, Co-op v ICC.
April 18: Kenya Ploy v Emyba, Storms v Eastern Queens, Strathmore v Yana, Lomborist v Uon Terrorists and Posta v Strathmore.
TABLE-TOPPERS Shabab and Ahli Benghazi sail on regardless after 11 matches of the Libyan Basketball League. Both teams, currently sharing top spot, had comfortable victories, with Ahli Benghazi disposing of Ittihad, and Shabab, as expected, defeating bottom team Madina.
In the lower reaches Ahli Tripoli came a cropper against Madina, who beat and leap-frogged over them into sixth place.
Day 11 Results
Nasser v Hilal 66-63 Ahli Benghazi v Ittihad 74-67 Wahda v Shabab 55-76 Ahli Tripoli v Madina 57-75
A Dar es Salaam-based firm SD Africa has extended a sponsorship to Dar's dream team in the Intercity Basketball Tournament slated for March 22-28 in Mombasa, Kenya.
Dar es Salaam Regional Basketball Association's president Simon Msoffe said the firm also sponsored Dar's team in last years Intercity edition held in Arusha. "We thank the company for their sponsorship which has assured us effective participation in the event," said Msoffe.
Msoffe said the association planned to set up the team destined for the games from players taking part in the ongoing RBA League. Seven cities from East, Central and Southern Africa have so far confirmed to send teams to the competition, he said. The cities are Arusha, Tanga, Mogadishu, Kampala, Harare and the hosts Mombasa. He said Sudan's Khartoum has also shown interest in fielding a squad in the event.
Dar es Salaam men and women's teams clinched the runners-up positions in last year's Intercity games in which Kenyan cities excelled, with Mombasa claiming the men's title as Nairobi donned the women's crown.
THE Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) will send Under-18 national team to Nairobi, Kenya for the Zone Five youth Championships that starts from April 28 to May 2.
TBF Secretary General Alexander Msoffe told the ‘Daily News’ today that the team will be picked from the various clubs countrywide as well as from the annual inter school tournament in Dar es Salaam region and other schools across the country.
He said at least 24 players will be selected to form the squad that will start an immediate camp to shape up for the tournament. Msoffe added that a contingent of 30-strong man squad including officials will make the trip to Nairobi to honour the tournament.
The Nairobi event will bring together hosts Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia.
“We have so many skilled players across the country who play basketball but our main focus will be directed to various schools where there are abundant talents in the sport,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Basketball League (NBL) is planned to start on April 10 to 18 at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam. The tournament will bring together all mainland regions. Msoffe said that so far Bukoba, Mbeya, Mwanza and Dar ea Salaam regions have shown their interest to participate in the league.
However, Msoffe said that the federation needs some 150m/- to smoothly host the tournament. He pleaded for help especially from corporate companies in order to make the event a success.
“We are facing financial hardship. We really need help from well-wishers, because the tournament needs a minimum of 150m/- in order to transport regional teams and cater for their expenses while in the city and also running the tournament,” he said.
THE Seychelles women’s and men’s basketball teams’ preparation for next year’s eighth Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) starts this week after the names of the coaches were unveiled during the sport’s annual general meeting at the Sports Training Centre.
After making his credentials with league and cup champions HotShots, Philip Arissol has been chosen as the women’s team’s head coach and his assistant is Mont Fleuri’s trainer Tony Juliette.
PLS Hawks coach Clifford Joubert, who has been involved in the national team set-up on many occasions in the past, has been named as the men’s team’s mentor.
He will work with assistant Michel Malbrook, who coaches 2008 men’s division one champions Baya.
Paul Denis, who guided the men’s team to winning their only IOIG medal – silver – on home soil in 1993, is the technical adviser.
As for the women’s team, they won silver medals three times – in 1990 in Madagascar losing 37-92 to the host nation, in 1993 in Seychelles losing to Madagascar and in 1998 in Reunion losing 58-63 to Madagascar. They also won a bronze in 2007 in Madagascar.
Players called to the two pre-selections familiarised themselves with the teams’ set-up during a meeting on Saturday afternoon at the Maison Football conference centre.
Savio staged a late onslaught to successfully whip ABC by 61-49 points in a thrilling Dar es Salaam regional basketball league’s ‘battle of titans’ at the National Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
It was a match that brought together the physically and technically gifted sides which produced heart-throbbing performance to keep spectators spellbound throughout inside a packed stadium.
Savio started on a sound note and being the better organised side defensively, they had an upper hand during the early exchanges to command a double-digit lead midway through the first quarter, while their opponents were yet to notch a single point.
Savio’s key players Henry Mwinuka, Mohamed Yusuph, Jije Makani and George Tarimo linked well and punished ABC with every defensive mistake the latter committed.
ABC calmed their nerves in the closing stages of the quarter, deploying an aggressive game to significantly narrow the margin to 15-14 points at the end of the second quarter.
ABC coaching panel had to rest their key players Haleluya Kavalambi and Ibrahim Mwinyi for the better part of the match after the duo failed to cope with Savio’s pace and versatility.
The game turned into a tightly contested affair for the other two quarters as ABC pilled more pressure in front of Savio’s hoop.
ABC’s big men Gilbert Batungi and Godfrey Changwe succeeded to slightly open Savio defence with their powerful bursts, pin-point passes and well executed lay-ups to bring the score to unique level terms of 36-36 points at the end of the third quarter.
Savio’s never-say-die attitude came into play in the final quarter and their quick-fire displays were too much for ABC, who had to opt for desperate defending tactics and, in the process, committed lots of fouls to award their opponents crucial free-throws.
Yusuph finished with 16 points, Mwinuka had 11 points, Tarimo and Ally Mnyamani added 10 and nine points respectively for Savio.
ABC scorers were Batungi with 15 points and Stephen Charles managed 10 points.
Savio’s win has elevated them to the top of the standings table and underlined their supremacy as the most consistent side destined for this year’s podium finish.
ABC have consequently dented their chance to win their first regional league silverware since bouncing back into competitive basketball and they have to win their remaining fixtures to have any hope of edging Savio.
Other matches in the men’s category held earlier at the same venue saw Oilers beat Tanzania Prisons by 57-45 points, Chang’ombe Boys claimed a 73-43 points win over Mgulani JKT, while the only game in the women category witnessed Cargo Ladies hand Don Bosco Lionesses a 66-56 points defeat.
THINGS will soon get serious when the Curtain-raiser tournament starts this coming weekend, but on Sunday at the Palais des Sports, local female and male basketballers were in action in three charity matches.
Although some of the players looked rusty and others were slow as they have put on weight during a two-month lay-off, they gave the spectators an insight into what to expect this season.
In the day’s first match, 2009 Men’s Division Two champions Razors, who will play in the top flight this season, used a big third-quarter performance during which they outscored RA Herons 26-4 to collect a 45-41 victory.
Liston Reginald finished with 11 points, including two 3-pointers, and Alex Baron added 10 in Razors’ win, putting them in the right frame of mind as they will be playing top-flight basketball again after making the drop two years ago.
Kenny Moustache (14) and Ryan Volcère (10) combined for 24 points for RA Herons, who will also be involved in the big league after eliminating Beau Vallon Heat in the playoffs.
Malbrook leads Stars
Veteran skipper Simone Malbrook had the hot hands with a game-leading 31 points to lead Anse Etoile Stars to a convincing 78-45 victory over defending women’s league and cup winners HotShots, who were missing player of the year Myra Solin and centre Tina Agathine through suspension.
Forward Lucia Souffe was the second highest scorer with 10 points for the Stars, who were in total control, winning the first three quarters 22-10, 25-16 and 21-9 before being held 10-10 in the fourth.
Playing with a short line-up, HotShots relied a lot on outside shooting, netting five treys –captain Jenita Toussaint and Beguitta Fontaine getting two apiece – while Marlène Toussaint got the other.
Domingue matches Léon in Baya’s win
Baya centre Robert Léon and PLS Hawks’ veteran power forward Jim Domingue battled for position in the paint in both offensive and defensive plays, and they finished with a joint-game-high 21 points, but it was coach Michel Malbrook’s Baya who had the last laugh on an 82-70 score.
PLS Hawks were without player of the year Rodney Lozé, centre Neddy ‘Oye’ Fanchette, shooting guard Bernard Bristol and playmaker Thomas Collie, but Jefferson Nganga came off the bench to contribute 11 points and show that he can still play the game at the highest level despite being away for quite a long time. Marcus Marimba made a 14-point contribution for the Hawks, who will next play Baya in the first round of the curtain-raiser tournament on March 6 at the Palais des Sports.
Baya skipper and playmaker Giovanni Laval got 18 points, among those one trey, and Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille buried three shots from downtown for nine of his 13 points.
Meanwhile, Seychelles Basketball Federation chairman Roy Collie is calling on potential sponsors to come forward to support the competitions on this year’s calendar.
The Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), club owners and other stakeholders in the Nigeria basketball system rose from a day-long meeting over the weekend and announced March 13th as the start off date for the 2009/2010 season of the DStv Basketball League. The decision means that the original proposed dates of February 27th and later March 6th are no longer in place. Similarly, the Federation and club owners of the Zenith Bank League met less than 24 hours after the first meeting for the men’s event and agreed to hold the first phase of the Zenith Bank League from March 17th though 27th. Kano, however, remains the venue. The cities of Port Harcourt and Lagos will host the second and final phases respectively.
“They were quite long deliberations but they have been very helpful to the development of the game in the country. Every area as it affects the leagues were touched and so we expect a smooth take off and run through,” the Secretary of the Federation Mr. Francis Gbiri said following the weekend deliberations.
The meetings with the club owners were part of a general seminar and stakeholders’ event held at the Ilorin Stadium Kwara State. Referees, Technical Commissioners and Statisticians were also at the venue where they attended refresher programmes. The deliberations touched on all parts of the league administration and rules and regulations that will guide the leagues for the current and future seasons. The draft presented two weeks ago by the Federation was considered by the whole house and adopted with amendments to certain sections by the two meetings.
The gathering agreed on all matters but could not finalise talks on sharing formula for the sponsorship revenue from Multichoice and Zenith Bank the parent companies of the leagues sponsors. A new meeting was agreed for later this week in Abuja with the duo of Col Sam Ahmedu (Dodan Warriors) and Hon Tanko Dutse of Yelwa Hawks representing the clubs. All 16 clubs in the men’s league were represented in the meeting in Ilorin. The women’s league also had full representations.
Savio kept alive hopes of winning this year’s Dar es Salaam regional basketball league title with a well-deserved 50-36 points victory over defending champions JKT in a match played at the National Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
Savio’s technical superiority over JKT was evident right from the start after orchestrating well co-ordinated attacks, scoring with ease while deploying tight marking to thwart JKT onslaughts at the rear.
JKT lacked confidence in front of Savio’s hoop throughout the first two quarters and their dependable scoring trio of Juma Kisoky, Charles Makene and Frank Simkoko, surprisingly failed to convert easy lay-ups on the few occasions they managed to penetrate.
Savio led by 15-9 points and then extended into 30-17points in the first and second quarters, respectively. Their exhilarating performance never showed strains, not disappointing their fans who courageously to cheer wildly.
The much anticipated battle between two of the best point guards in the league, Mohamed Yusuph of Savio and Frank Kusiga of JKT lived up to its billing and the Savio man was undoubtedly the better of the duo in the game.
While Yusuph dominated the floor with his usual stunning dribbling skills which time and again helped to expose JKT defence and created chances for team mates, Kusiga was simply short of that.
The winners deployed tight marking as big men George Tarimo and Jije Makani at their best on the court.
Tarimo and Makani’s superb form once again came into play in the match as they easily tamed JKT players, taking rebounds and pressing forward to score and give Savio the much needed competitive edge.
JKT slightly did away with their timid approach in the third quarter and began pressing hard for points but they still lacked the key to unlock Savio defense as they had to rely on Francis Mlewa’s three-pointers in an attempt to reduce the score margin.
Makani scored 14 points and pulled five rebounds, Tarimo had 13 points and three rebounds and Henry Mwinuka added 11 points and two rebounds for Savio.
Mlewa scored 14 points for JKT to finish as the team’s highest scorer while team mates Himid Choka and Kisoky capped a frustrating afternoon with six and five points, respectively.
ABC thrashed Vijana by 91-61points in another match played earlier at the same venue to intensify the battle for title chase alongside league pace makers, Savio.
There was little Vijana could do in the match as their aggressive opponents made life difficult for them throughout the match.
CHANG’OMBE United today whitewashed Mgulani JKT 73-48 in a one sided Dar es Salaam Region Basketball (RBA) league at the National Indoor Stadium.
The winners were irresistible from the word go, reducing their opponents to a mere novices. They took a 31-19 lead at the break.
Adam Jegame was the top scorer for Chang’ombe United, netting 22 points, while team mate Godfrey Mhoja netted 20 points.
Mgulani JKT highest scorer was Erick Livingstone, who managed 12 points. Other men’s category match saw Pazi beating PT Stars 59-48. The winners took a 30-12 lead at the break. Pazi’s Claudio Kipango and Lada Ikungulu netted 14 and 11 points respectively.
In the ladies category Cargo Ladies smashed Lady Lions 65-56. At the breather, the winners were behind 29-32.
However, they came rejuvenated to turn the score against their opponents. Cargo’s Asha Chege netted 28 points while team mate Judith Ilunda scored 9points. Lady Lion’s points were netted by Amina Ahmed (14) and Hadija Issa (9).
D’MARK Power insist they are happy to retain Andrew Bazira as coach despite recent reports of unrest in their camp.
In a press statement, the MTN-FUBA men’s Division One outfit moved to clarify that there “no changes in the coaching position at the club” –– a reaction to recent speculation linking them to Kyambogo Warriors boss Gad Eteu.
Power insist that “the individual in charge of coaching the team is Andrew Bazira” adding that he “understands the team philosophy and the strategic direction that the club is going into”.
The statement goes on to list Bazira’s achievements at the club, chiefly his contribution in leading them to the 2008 MTN-FUBA Championship as co-coach alongside Bernice Ankunda. “The club at this point is not making coaching changes and has full faith in the abilities of coach Bazira to lead the team forward in 2010,” the statement added. The club’s high ranking officials were overtly critical of the tactician during last year’s men’s playoff finals, which culminated in a 4-1 defeat against Kyambogo Warriors in a best-of-seven series.
After the defeat, it was almost certain Bazira would be replaced and the speculation linking Eteu with Power was hardly surprising.
MEANWHILE National MTN-FUBA women’s Division 1 basketball champions Kampala City Council (KCC) Leopards have stepped up their training programme ahead of the Inter Cities championships due in Mombasa on March 21-27, Aloysius Byamukama reports. Leopards are having on-residential sessions along with KCC Lions in Kampala.
An official Dennis Karuhanga, said that the teams are focused on bringing glory to the country. “We have shown some character locally and we therefore need to go out in the region and win titles,” Karuhanga explained.
Lions finished third to earn a bronze medal in last year’s event which Leopards missed.
The competition draws top teams from Africa’s Zone 5 that comprises Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Seychelles.
ABC, Savio and Oilers teams have set up an intriguing title chase in the ongoing Dar es Salaam regional basketball league after winning their respective matches over the weekend.
The three teams are perched at the top according to the latest league standing released by Basketball Dar es Salaam (BD).
ABC, Savio and Oilers beat Tanzania Prisons, Chang’ombe Boys and Chui, respectively, to mount an exciting battle for the title alongside holders JKT, who now need to improve their performance should they wish to successfully retain the trophy.
ABC’s 83-71points win over Tanzania Prisons last Sunday, propelled them back to the top position as they now have 18 points from nine appearances.
The revitalized army men, led by their talented players Haleluya Kavalambi, Gilbert Batungi, Filbert Mwaipungu and Ibrahim Mwinyi, have won eight matches, lost one and collected a total of 572 goals. They conceded their first ever defeat to rivals JKT last Saturday.
Savio are right at the ABC’s heels trailing with 17 points from eight matches, winning seven, losing one and a total of 590 goals. Third-placed Oilers have also garnered 17 points from nine matches with six wins, three defeats and a total of 562 goals.
JKT are fourth with 16 points from eight matches, winning six matches and conceding two defeats. Despite being in a rather uncomfortable position, the holders boast of a productive attacking force having collected 711 goals.
Fifth placed Vijana seems to be the only team outside the top four with the ability to a stage significant fight after collecting 13 points from seven games, winning six, losing one and a total of 439 goals.
The women category of the league has witnessed a tight race where big guns Jeshi Stars and JKT Stars are neck and neck with eight points apiece from four games.
They both boast of an unbeaten streak but Jeshi Stars have a superior goal average having scored a total of 304 goals to don the driver’s seat with JKT Stars in the second position with 266 goals.
Don Bosco Lionesses are the other serious challengers who are now in the third spot with seven points from four games, three wins and one defeat. The team whose attacking weapons include regulars Amina Ahmed, Esther Nelson and Khadija Kalambo, have collected 288 goals so far.
Chang`ombe Boys lost by 73-63 points to Savio in the ongoing Dar es Salaam regional basketball league match played at the National Indoor Stadium on Sunday.
The losers had to blame themselves for letting the win slip through their hands after dominating the match right up to the last quarter. Savio deployed a rare resurgence firepower to seize the victory with last-gasp mesmerizing moves to emerge victorious.
The absence of dependable centre play maker Mohamed Makani in the last quarter contributed much to Chang’ombe Boys’ downfall.
Savio capitalized on the Chang’ombe Boys defensive weaknesses to finally take control of the game.
Savio were a pale shadow of themselves in the first two quarters when Chang’ombe Boys enjoyed possession and kept slotting in points through their dependable scorers Adam Jegame and Makani to lead by 16-14 and 33-21points, respectively.
With the energetic Makani in top form, Chang’ombe Boys were a team that could attack and defend with remarkable proficiency and their impressive displays kept their fans cheering throughout.
Savio relied much on one of their defensive stalwarts George Tarimo at the time but the big man was not at his usual best although he chipped in with good defensive play to deny fast Chang’ombe Boys trio of Jegame, Mohamed Mbwana and Jovin Malekani.
Inspired by their playmaker Mohamed Yusuph, Henry Mwinuka and Jije Makani, Savio regrouped and bravely fought from 12 points down at the breather to force 42-42 points draw in the third quarter.
Chang’ombe Boys then lost their big man Makani in the fourth minute of the last quarter after he had committed a foul and brought his total number of personal fouls to five that saw him off the court.
Irate Chag’ombe Boys’ fans protested against the decision claiming Makani was wrongly judged to have committed the fifth foul and the match came to a stand still.
The two teams kept canceling each other’s lead for the rest of the game and Savio eventually fully exploited several free throw opportunities to win.
Tarimo and Makani scored 18 points apiece and Yusuph added 15 points for Savio while Chang’ombe Boys’ Jegame finished with game-high 31 points, Makani had 16 points and Mbwana scored four points.
ABC won by 83-71 points against Tanzania Prisons earlier at the same venue to console themselves following the defeat at the hands of JKT a day earlier.
Ahli Benghazi take 10-2 on top cruising past Hilal 86:72. Nasr and Shabab share the second place with 9-3 record each. The latter droppd from the top losing to Ittihad 65:7 on th latest game of the League. Nasr took 9-3 rolling past Ahli Tripoli 70:57, while the latter fell at 2-10 record. Madina overcame Wahda 64:49 for 4-8 record. The next game is scheduled on February 18th.
STEVEN Omony has terminated his contract with the Mountain Dew Falcons due to unpaid wages amounting to sh42m.
The national basketball team star joined the six-time FUBA men’s club champions from Seychelles’ PLS Hawks last season on a two year deal that took the local game by storm. It was worth sh72m and left everyone in awe about the healthy state of local basketball.
However, there were doubts about how the club would be able to raise his annual wages of sh35m and now those fears have been justified. Omony revealed that he has only received sh8m for his bonuses, allowances, wages and housing over the course of the 2009 league campaign.
He says he should have received over sh50m.
Several meetings were held in the past months between the Falcons and Omony, with the player being constantly urged to hold on as the club searched for the funds.
Now, Omony says he has had enough.
“I have decided to terminate my contract with the Falcons,” he told a gathering of journalists at Holiday Express hotel in Kampala yesterday.
The 1998 & 99 FUBA men’s top-flight MVP explained that besides airing a personal grievance, he was being “a voice to many other (Ugandan) athletes who cannot speak for themselves”. The eloquent 30 year-old hopes his action “will motivate others to speak out”.
Omony said he had notified the club and his team-mates of his decision adding that he was “exploring all available means to recover his money” from the club. His legal team, sources say, are thrashing out a case.
Reacting to the news, Falcons publicist Dennis Mbidde said “he can’t walk out of the club when he is under contract”.
Mbidde added: “Omony has overstepped procedure. He should have at least written to us and given us a notice of litigation before going to the press.”
The publicist conceded that he did not know the exact amount the club owes Omony but said that the player was set to receive some payment when club sponsors Mountain Dew release their latest cash package.
The soft drink company signed a two-year sh70m deal with the club last season.
Omony led a Henry Malinga-less Falcons to the playoffs last season before losing to eventual champions Kyambogo Warriors in the semi-finals.
Eleven years earlier, he led the same club to their second championship, a year after leading them to their first.
Quick CV on Omony 1997 Joins Blue Jackets 1998 Joins Falcons 1999 Voted League MVP 2000 Voted League MVP again 2000 Wins East and Central gold 2002 Joins PSL Hawks 2009 Rejoins Falcons 2010 Quits Falcons
It’s over between Stephen Omony and Falcons. The basketball star won’t put on the red and white jersey anymore after he decided to terminate his contract with Uganda’s most successful club. Omony, who rejoined Falcons for a record-breaking Shs72m from Seychelles side PSL Hawks in April last year, accused the club of breach of contract.
Falcons agreed to pay Omony a monthly salary of Shs3m and Shs0.15m in housing allowances over two years, making him the highest earning basketball player in Uganda’s history.
“I have been loyal and executed all my duties as required of me in our contract. I, however, regret to announce that Falcons CEO John Ssimbwa failed to meet his part of the bargain,” Omwony, who won two league titles with Falcons in 1999 and 2000 before heading to Seychelles, revealed to the media at Holiday Express Hotel yesterday.
The 30-year-old star said Falcons owe him Shs42,303,000. He revealed he has received Shs8,147,000 from the club over the past 10 months. “We had several meetings to try and sort out the situation but they all yielded no result,” he explained. “I have thus decided to announce to you the termination of my relationship with Falcons as a player and assistant coach.”
“I still maintain and respect the personal relationship with all the team members of Falcons. And to the fans, I would like to say thank you for your continuous support over the years.”
Omony was brilliant for Falcons last season but the six-time champions could only finish fourth in the 10-team topflight men’s division. With Omony calling the shots, they recovered from 2-0 to force a decisive game against eventual champions Warriors in the best-of-five semi-final play-off series. They, however, fell short and failed to tame KIU in the bronze medal game.
Omony admits he loves Falcons wholeheartedly but feels betrayed by the club’s failure to consider his welfare. “If we are to promote the game, such practices must stop. I am speaking out for other athletes out there who don’t have the courage,” he said.
Falcons marketing manager Dennis Mbidde argued Omony shouldn’t have aired his grievances through the media. “As a club, we were trying our best to sort out his situation,” Mbidde noted.
Feb. 13, '10: Hoops this weekend was in action in the last basketball gala before the league resumes. Teams have been using these games to test new players and playing strategies. From the level of plays and players shows just how cracking this year's will be. Tems in the gala included Tema Youth, Magic, Ashiama Lions, Panthers and Hoops. Below are some of the results from the gala:
