Is KCCA's Oketcho retiring?

The KCCA Leopards are in talks with Maureen Amoding and Florence Kalume as they seek to beef up the squad ahead another run for titles in the 2016 basketball season.

But while these moves speak of KCCA's ambition, they also suggest either an internal shakeup in the club's backcourt or that the rumours about Flavia Oketcho's impending retirement are true.

Because adding two ball-dominant guards in a squad that already has an effective backcourt duo in Oketcho and Joy Chemutai not to mention backups Rebecca Akullo, Halima Nabasumba, Monica Siima, Caroline Nantalo and Barbara Gimbo raises more questions than immediate answers.

A team source told the New Vision last week that Oketcho was headed for retirement but the tip was not confirmed by the superstar after attempts to get a response from her proved futile. Efforts to reach club coach Timothy Odeke for a comment also proved unsuccessful as of yesterday.

However, club manager Joy Olinga dismissed the rumour about Oketcho's retirement ahead of the new season.

"As far as my last discussion with her, I can say she will be with KCCA for the upcoming season," said Olinga.

"In fact, all our players are supposed to return for training this week and we will also have trials but I can confirm that as of right now, all of our players from last season are returning."

Olinga confirmed that the Leopards are still in talks with Amoding while Kalume, the superstar guard of Zone V champions Berco Stars, is due in the country soon. One player has been signed from Berco - Larissa Katungeko, who played for Uganda's KIU Rangers and A1 Challenge before returning home to Burundi.