16 November 2006

KENYA : Challenge Cup pushed to next year in Kigali

By Dann O’were

The East and Central Africa Senior Challenge Cup slated for Kigali, Rwanda later this month has been pushed forward to January.
The weeklong regional championship was to start on November 27 to December 3 but will now be held from January 27 to February 3. The venue remains Kigali, Rwanda.
The change of date was done at the request of continental body-Fiba Africa. Regional body assistant secretary Ronny Owino said that Fiba Africa top officials want to attend this fast growing tournament only if the dates are accommodating.
The officials will be in Nigeria attending the Africa Club championships that starts on Friday and it would not have been possible to oversee both events when they are played at the same time.
"Fiba Africa told us they would attend the regional championships only if the dates were pushed forward as it clashed with the club championships in Lagos," Owino said.
He said that Fiba Africa officials would also conduct elections for Zone Five officials. Former Kenya Basketball Federation chairman Morris Aluanga has expressed interest in the post of chairman.
The championship in Kigali will be used as a Zone Five qualifier for the All Africa Games in Algeria next July and will parade nations like Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Eritrea, Somali and host Rwanda.
At the same time Owino, who is also the national team head coach said the change in dates was a blessing in disguise as it gives the teams more time to train.
"As you can see, the national teams’ training has not gone on well. But now with the Premier League ending and the show pushed forward, we would be able to train well for the show," said Owino.
Kenya women’s team will be defending the title they won in Kampala, Uganda last year. Uganda will be defending the men’s title.
Meanwhile, Kenya meet Tanzania in the Anoca Under 18 championships that starts at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, Nairobi on December 1.
In the draws released by the organisers on Wednesday, Kenya have been pooled in group A alongside Tanzania, Eritrea, Burundi and Ethiopia.
They have avoided an earlier meeting with powerhouse Egypt who are grouped in pool B with minnows Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan and Somalia.
The opening match of the show will pit Uganda against Rwanda at 8am with the final match being held on December 4 at 5.30 pm.
The event has been sponsored by Anoca and will include other disciplines like boxing and cycling.

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