Basketball: Uganda in a complex final week
Sep 16, 2014
Much of what Uganda achieves in the FIBA Afrobasket Zone V Championship will depend on what they do in this final week of preparations.
By Charles Mutebi
FIBA Afrobasket Zone V Championship
Venue: Kampala
Dates: Sept 21-28
Basketball League
Women: KIU 53 Sparks 40
Men: Diamonds 83 Veg’s 74
UCU 73 Rhinos 65
Power 78 Ndejje 66
Much of what Uganda achieves in the FIBA Afrobasket Zone V Championship will depend on what they do in this final week of preparations.
Besides making the most of the Gazelles and Silverbacks’ last training sessions, the relevant parties must ensure Uganda’s Zone V bid enjoys the best possible tune-up in the next six days.
Especially since certain things have conspired against Team Uganda’s ideal plans, not least the withdrawal of Silverbacks imposing centre Brandon Ssebirumbi.
“His new club (Brazil’s Caceres) refused to release him because their league is starting in October,” revealed Team Uganda official Grace Kwizera.
Ssebirumbi’s physicality and high-level experience would have made a huge difference for Mandy Juruni’s Silverbacks, who will now fall back on Sam Gombya, Sam Kalwanyi or Andrew Opio.
As for the Gazelles, there are two major points of concern at the moment. First and foremost, the Gazelles’ crucial backcourt pair of Maureen Amoding and Judith Nansobya are in danger of missing the tournament.
The pair was signed up for the interuniversity 3x3 tournament in Brazil from 18 - 21 September, the opening day of the Zone V Championship.
Secondly, the Gazelles will conduct their final pre-Zone V training sessions without the imposing Peace Proscovia, who travelled to Botswana with the national netball team for the Africa World Cup Qualifier, from 13-20 September.
Meanwhile, local basketball is also in mourning following the tragic death of UMU Flames guard Daniel Babara.
The 22 year-old was reportedly shot dead by a security guard on Saturday night as he tried to stop a fight.
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