BASKETBALL: Uganda's U18s begin quest for African crown

Jul 20, 2016

Uganda qualified after beating Kenya in the zonal qualifiers

Uganda's U-18 basketball team leaves today for Kigali to represent the Zone V in the U18 FIBA Africa championship to take place July 22-31 at Amahoro Stadium.

It is the second time that the country is hosting the event after the 2010 edition, in the biennial tournament that brings together the best young African players.

The 2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championship will serve as a qualifier for the 2017 FIBA U19 World Championship. The winner and the runners-up will book tickets for the event that will be held in Egypt in the first-ever FIBA world youth event to be staged in Africa.

Uganda will battle for one of the two slots with players from Algeria, Angola, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Mali, Benin, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and hosts Rwanda

Uganda qualified after beating Kenya in the zonal qualifiers held in Kampala early this month.

Uganda and Kenya contested for the single slot to represent the East and Central African region after other countries in the zone made a no show in the qualifiers.

The draw for the championship will take place tomorrow before the tournament gets underway up to July 31.

Team Uganda has been booked at Golden Tulip Hotel in Nyamata, 40km from Amahoro Stadium.

All games will be played at Petit Stade and training sessions will be held at the Green Hills Academy.

Nicholas Natuhereza heads the coaching staff with Ronald Bajunga and Geron Holmes as his assistants.

Mohamed Santur Ghedi (Head of Delegation), Albert Ahabwe, Peter Kirabo (FIBA referee) and physio Isaac Otuk are the other members of team Uganda traveling with the team by bus today.

Ugandan team; Arion Osama, Mark Bamutende, Joshua Kasurra, Joshua Duallo, Ivan Muhwezi, Mathew Ochieng , Henry Okoth, Elvis Ssentongo, Mark Tamale Keefa, Vincent Yiki, Innocent Ocen, Gideon Mukisa.

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