Basketball: A powerful statement by Power

By Charles Mutebi
 
Friday Night Lights results
Ikong 66 Amoding 53
Sudi v Blick  (Postponed due to rain interruption)
 
Power basketball club have existed for over two decades for a certain reason. They know how to read the times.
 
On Friday at Kati Kati restaurant at Lugogo, Power offered their understanding of the world they live in and it was, to say the least, a roaring statement of intent.
 
Power did two things, both very significant – not just for five-time national basketball champions but for the entire National Basketball League (NBL).
 
Power unveiled a new sponsor and five new players. Power disclosed a multi-year deal with battery manufacturer Tiger Head that means the club is now called Tiger Head Power.
 
Secondly, and more importantly, Power introduced the first fruits of their deal with Tiger Head – five new signings who have taken Power from uncertainty to having the strongest line-up in the NBL, at least on paper.
 
Tiger Head Power have signed Ivan Enabu, Abdullah Ramadan, Phillip Ameny, Moses Olobo and Francis Odom.

The first four players need no introduction to the local basketball fraternity. Enabu, Ramadan and Ameny are stars while Olobo is a league veteran with a tenacious spirit that every coach loves.

Odom, signed from LC Hovers in the D-League, is a talented youngster with impressive athletic abilities that promise a great future.
 
The signings join a side that already had stars Norman Blick, Joseph Ikong and Isaac Afidra, a fact that has raised questions about how all the players all exist
 
Power captain Joseph Ikong said: “The new players are going to increase the competition for places and that is good.”
 
Power president Patrick Obalim: “With this team our target is to finish first this season”.
 
Power coach Bernes Ankuda said: “This team is not a bunch of superstars. These guys are all humble so all the players will be equal in the Power family.”
 
Meanwhile, a late night downpour forced the postponement of the second semi-final (Sudi v Blick) of the Friday Night Lights at the YMCA.

The first semi was won by Team Ikong, 66-53 over Team Amoding. The cancelled game will be played next Friday at 6.30pm, with the winner playing Team Ikong in the final later in the night.