KENYA : Coop Bank, Safe Spaces join basketball league

Co-operative Bank of Kenya and Safe Spaces have been promoted to the women's basketball national league after toping in the provincial playoffs at the weekend.

Men’s teams to join Division One are Kenya Airports Authority and Mombasa-based Kenya Navy. National basketball playoffs were conducted at the weekend at Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi.

League runners up Co-op Bank rallied from behind to edge determined United States International University-Africa (Usiu-A) 70-65 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday. Usiu-A led in almost all the quarters till the last minute when Abel Nson broke the jinx with a three pointer for Co-op Bank just 50 seconds to the end.

Co-op Bank won 14-18,12-18,18-13,26-16 with Peter Kiganya and Michael Makiadi scoring 31 and 10 points.

Usiu-A had Aaron Chan and Evans Letting with 26 and 14 points.

Sprite Storms beat Strathmore 42-36 in the women’s Premier League as champions Eagle Wings beat Mennonites 80-31 in game two.

Eagle Wings relied on the services of Senegalese import Silalei Agalo. They are supposed to leave tomorrow for the women’s continental championship in Tunisia, but lack of funds may hinder their plans.

"We were supposed to confirm our participation to Fiba last Friday but we haven’t done so since we are not sure whether we will travel due to lack of funds," said Eagle Wings coach Smatts Olumbo.

In other ties, Yana overcame Usiu-A 64-29 in the women’s premiership as Mennonites men beat Nairobi Aviation College 75-61.

Ulinzi beat World Hope 71- 44 as KCB hit Strathmore University 65-50. Baptist overcame Trailblazers 80-75.