The Nation (Nairobi)
May 23, 2006
Posted to the web May 23, 2006
Stephen Ouma Kampala
Kenyan teams underlined their regional supremacy when they swept the titles on offer at the weekend’s Eighth East and Central Africa Inter-cities basketball championship finals at Kampala’s Lugogo Indoor Stadium. The Nairobi men’s and women’s teams were more composed and exhibited maturity and better skills as they dominated the week-long tournament.
Nairobi maintained their composure to win 68-57. The Kenyans won the first three quarters 15-13, 27-17 and 21-11 but lost the fourth 14-16. Peter Kiganya and Ancette Wafula were Nairobi’s top scorers with 16 points each. Dar es salaam’s highest scorer was Charles Makene with 20 points. Nairobi had defeated Mwanza in the semis while Dar es Salaam eliminated Kampala.
Nairobi’s women overcame stiff challenge from Kampala City Council to win 62-57. The host side put up a spirited fight and it appeared as though the game would go either way. Nairobi won the first two quarters 20-13 and 23-15 but lost the other quarters 10-16 and 13-9. East and Central Africa Basketball Federation chairman, Morris Alunga of Kenya, of Kenya and Uganda Sports Council official Florence Nkalubu awarded trophies to the winners. The ninth edition of the regional championship will be hosted by Nairobi next year. This year’s tournament attracted men’s and women’s teams from Kenya, Tanzania and hosts Uganda.