The National Basketball League (NBL) tips off today at Lugogo.

Newly promoted UPDF Lady Tomahawks entertain YMCA Hamstars, while Livingstone take on JT Jaguars in the women’s and men’s categories at Lugogo Arena.

However, the highlight of the day is between last season’s finalists KIU who take on their noisy neighbours Namuwongo Blazers in a Makindye derby.

Baker Kyambadde, the FUBA vice-president technical has said that the league started in January for the first time to allow the champions to get ready to compete in the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Flavia Oketcho (left) addresses the press flanked by FUBA vice president-technical Baker Kyambadde at Fairway Hotel. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

“We have been having our league in March and April but we want to align ourselves with other African countries with BAL and FIBA calendars as well. Last season, we were asked to submit our team before we played our finals,” Kyambadde said.

“We believe this is the earliest we can start the league and whoever wins the champions will be able to qualify for BAL in time.”

Last season, Namuwongo Blazers pulled out of the league after they received a communication from FUBA that the winner of the league would not compete at BAL as defending champions City Oilers were nominated to represent Uganda on the big stage.

However, Kyambadde is sure that the challenge was amicably resolved as there has been a constant reminder between the management of Namuwongo and FUBA to make sure they understand why the federation nominated City Oilers to represent Uganda at BAL.

He added that the federation has done a lot of preparations in terms of having refresher courses for the referees so that they are certain of fair officiation ahead of the new season.

“As a federation, we have prepared the season well after having refresher courses at different levels with all our floor, table officials and managers have been able to work with FUBA on different meetings so that they can upscale the officiation.” added Kyambadde.

FUBA vice president-technical Baker Kyambadde (center) addresses the press at Fairway Hotel, ahead of the FUBA League kick-off. Photo by Michael Nsubuga

Patience Nantume, the captain of UPDF Lady Tomahawks expressed pride and readiness for her side to compete on the big stage once again.

“We are excited about the fact that we are going to be playing in the NBL. We believe it is going to be a whole different experience and we are ready to go far,” said Nantume.

Flavia Oketcho on behalf of Stanbic Bank said, “As partners on board, we are going to do much more than last year. Last season, we focused on fans in a bid to attract more numbers, but this time round, we intend to mix up with players by giving awards to players as well because they are a reason as to why fans come to watch. Tickets will be on the flexipay app at only sh10,000 and students will be paying sh5,000.”

This season’s games are going to be played at Lugogo, YMCA, KIU, UCU, Abja Park.

National Basketball League

Friday

At Lugogo

Women

YMCA v UPDF 3pm

Rangers v JT 7pm

Men

Livingstone v JT Jaguars 5pm

Titans v Namuwongo