EGYPT will not defend their Zone 5 basketball championship title after pulling out of the competition slated to run from February 7-12 in Kigali.
According to Rwanda’s basketball federation Secretary General Jean Lucien Mugabo, the North Africans withdrew because of the on-going political unrest in Cairo.
“Egypt requested to have the tournament postponed but it is a little too late for that so they will not be coming,” Mugabo confirmed.
Following their withdraw, Rwanda are now favourites to win the tournament which also doubles as a qualifier for the 10th All Africa Games scheduled for September in Maputo, Mozambique.
The winner in both categories; men and women will qualify for the Games.
Participating teams
Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda (men)
Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda (women)