Flavia Okecho sidelined with injury

By Julius Senyimba

East and Central Inter-Cities Basketball Championship

Today fixtures

Women

Entebbe v Nairobi (2pm)

Kampala B v Kampala A (4pm)

Men

Mogadishu v Jinja (6pm)

Kampala B v Galkayo (Somalia) (8pm)

 THE annual inter-cities basketball tournament kicked off Monday and action resumes today with four games at the Lugogo Arena; two women’s and men’s games.

The tournament has attracted teams from over 9 cities including two men’s sides Galkayo and Mogadishu, both from Somalia, and the ladies’ defending champions Nairobi from Kenya. Mwanza of Tanzania made a late withdrawal from the tournament yesterday.

“Mwanza will not take part in this year’s edition but we are pleased that the other three cities have arrived,” the tournament’s chief organizer Joy Olinga explained.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) became title sponsors after initial city hosts Dar es Salaam pulled out at the 11th hour. Kampala also hosted the 2012 edition.

National team coach Mandy Juruni is in charge of Kampala B, the developmental side that will close the curtains on Tuesday’s action when they take on Somali side Galkayo. 

The other Somali side, Mogadishu will face Jinja, led by veteran Ken Balyejusa in the second last game of the day.

In the women’s fixtures, KCCA B will face KCCA A with the latter missing the services of reigning NBL MVP Flavia Oketcho after she twisted her left ankle in their opening game against Entebbe.

The other ladies game will be between Entebbe and defending champions Nairobi who are eyeing their second championship triumph in Kampala.