Basketball in Africa

By Aloysius Byamukama
Kampala

MTN Basketball League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Norman Blick is back in action for defending champions Nkumba University Marines.

The touring small forward who since December 2005 has been at Al-Rayyan-Qatar trying out professional basketball, made a positive impact for Marines' 82-79 nail biting win over Charging Rhinos.
RETURNING STAR: Norman Blick is back at Marines Photo by Eddie Chicco.

However, his presence at league champions Marines has sparked off protests from local players, team officials and fans.
They are questioning his legibility to feature in two leagues.

"I think it's unfair because according to press reports, he is in Qatar and he recently made 10 points for his side in the league," Rhinos' Mande Juruni said.

But when contacted, Federation of Uganda Basketball Associations (Fuba) technical committee Chairman Yunus Nkutu said that there is no clear evidence for now to stop the player.

"Unless it is proved that he is playing in another league, we have no authority to stop him for now," Nkutu said.

Blick, whose season in Qatar is in recess due to the basketball World Cup in Japan, told Daily Monitor that he is allowed to play since he has not transferred. The Marines are third on the Yello Max table with 11 points from 6 games, behind record champions Falcons on the goal average.
Sadolin Power lead at 12 points from 7 game