Uganda making sure steps in 3*3 Basketball

PIC: UCU Lady Canons' Sarah Ageno (center) fights for posession with  KPA's Nyongesa Nanzala (left) during a Zone V basketball match at Lugogo. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

BASKETBALL

FIBA 3*3Africa Cup

9-11 November, Togo

Women

Quarter finals

Uganda Gazelles 16 Mali 21

Men: Final

Ivory Coast 14 Uganda 6

KAMPALA - Uganda is yet to reach the much desired heights in the women's 3*3 version of basketball but then there is a genuine mark of progress.

It all begins with the renewed love for this exciting format and ever since it was earmarked among the priority federations, FUBA are exploiting all there is to exploit.

Just this year, Ugandan female sides have been facilitated to three different international events; the World Cups in June Philippines, October China and the just concluded FIBA 3*3Africa Cup in Togo.

Conversely Sarah Ageno is now ranked the second best player on the continent in the shoot-out contest.

Ageno who has grown into a top player at Uganda Christian University translated her natural abilities in the highly competitive contest which is a component of the main tournament.

City Oilers' Tonny Drileba (right) takes on Power's Geoffrey Soro during the FUBA league finals at Lugogo. Drileba was selected on the Africa Cup 3*3 team of the tournament. (Credit: Michael Nsubuga)

In a pool of top players that included Egypt's Rana Abelzaher, Mali's N'Faly Kanoute and Mauritania's Diade Sakera, the Ugandan made a total of ten shots to reach the finals.

The Ugandan would then finish second behind Mali's Kanoute who scored seven shots four more than Ageno's. The travelling Ugandan side that had Jamila Nansikombi, Ritah Imanishimwe and Hope Akello finished fifth as a team.

Meanwhile, the Silverbacks (Men) who finished second with Tony Drilleba getting a place on the team of the tournament can dream of featuring at the 2020 Olympics. The Africa Cup forms part of the qualification cycle for the Olympics where the 3*3 will be inaugurated on the programme.

EMAIL: kbalikuddembe@newvision.co.ug

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