Regional teams snub Zone Five Qualifiers

ONLY Kenya and hosts Rwanda will take part in the Zone Five basketball qualifiers that have now been postponed to July 21-22 after Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and Ethiopia pulled out of the competition due to financial constraints. Burundi and Somalia had earlier pulled out for the same reasons.“All the teams cited financial constraints as reason for pulling out of the competition. But I can assure you that it will still be competitive because Kenya was the team that we were wary of.” Désiré Mugwiza, President of the Basketball Federation, said.Both the men and women teams have been bolstered by U.S based players and despite losing some friendlies against top league sides like APR and CSK, Coach Nenad Amanovic thinks the team “is on the right course with preparations.”The winners in the men’s category will qualify for African Basketball champion slated for September in Madagascar, while the winner in the women fray will take part in the African women championship in Maputo-Mozambique in August.U-18 Men’s team Ernest Nestor Manzi, Pascal Karekezi Rurangirwa, Placide Uwizeye, Muhamed Rafiki, Sankara Uwimana, Ali Kubwimana Kazingufu, Sunny Munyandamusta Niyomugabo, Fabrice Mugiraneza Ruterana, Jean Paul Ndoli, Elie Kaje, Olivier Shyaka, Eric Munyaneza, Pascal Niyonkuru, Igor Mugisha, Eric Ngenzi, Scifon Shyaka, Charles Mbazumutima, Albert Tuyishime.Women’s team Vanessa Umwizerwa, Ange Kabanyana, Cynthia Iradukunda Muzigabanga, Geneviève Manishimwe, Gisèle Umutoni, Cécile Nzaramba, Délice Niyonsaba, Rosine Micomyiza, Sandra Irakoze, Marie Claire Kanyamibwa, Solange Gakwenzire, Denise Uwase, Jeanne Yamfashije, Immaculée Nyirahumure, Nancy Ishimwe, Alice Kanzayire.Coaching Staff Nenad Amanovic (head coach), Cyrille Kalima, Albert Buhake, Moïse Mutokambali, Francis Manzi, Charles Mbazumutima, Albert Tuyishime and Jacques Bahige.

Sports

Regional teams snub Zone Five Qualifiers