THE local basketball federation (Ferwaba) has honored Marine’s plea by releasing the club’s star players ahead of next week’s Zone V Club Championships in Kampala, Uganda.

Aboubacar Barame and Elibo Ilunga have been part of the pre-selected 17-man national team that is gearing up for next month’s Afrobasket competition in Libya but according to Ferwaba boss Eric Kalisa, the pair has now returned to Marine.

"Much as we need them, it’s in Marine’s best interest to field a strong team in Kampala,” he said.

"They are an integral part of the team and it is only fair that they play for Marine during the Zone 5 Club Championships in Kampala.”
"With the level of basketball in Rwanda, we are sure that they will be strong contenders for the Zone title,” Kalisa added.

The pair was initially scheduled to travel with the national team for a two-week training camp in Italy as part of Rwanda’s build-up to the Libya show piece.

Three players have now come in to fill the void; Elias Kayijuka, Kenny Gasana and Carlos Mugabo.

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