Zone Five qualifiers hang in balance

Rwanda Basketball Federation’s hard work to organise the Zone Five U-18 qualifiers could go to nothing if Kenyan teams don’t show up today. Only Kenya had confirmed their participation alongside hosts, Rwanda.

Friday, July 20, 2012
As hosts, Rwanda finished sixth in 2010 and were hoping to do a lot better this time round but this yearu2019s tournament still hangs in balance. The New Times / File.

Rwanda Basketball Federation’s hard work to organise the Zone Five U-18 qualifiers could go to nothing if Kenyan teams don’t show up today. Only Kenya had confirmed their participation alongside hosts, Rwanda.The Kenyan male and female’ teams had not yet confirmed whether they would travel to Kigali by press time, and the national basketball federation president Desire Mugwiza said a decision will be taken this morning regarding the tournament."We are still confused on what to do because they confirmed weeks ago that they would take part and we made all the necessary arrangements."Yet, with just one day before the tournament, they are saying they are still in Nairobi and will confirm later whether they’ll come or not,” a seemingly disappointed Mugwiza told this paper yesterday.The Kenyans will likely be fined by Fiba if they don’t make it for the two day tournament but the competition has already lost some value after six countries which include: Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi pulled out because of financial constraints.If the Kenyan teams come for the tournament, then the junior hoops will play two matches each in the men and women categories with the winners qualifying for African men and women championships slated for August and September in Mozambique and Madagascar respectively.