By Ernest Ndunda
Former national men’s basketball champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) were reduced to mere spectators by Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) Lions on Saturday during a national basketball Premier league tie in Mombasa.
It was a false start for KPA in the league as they lost at home 63-38 to the bankers in the opening league match of the Premier league.
The dockers were turned to amateurs as they were tormented by the bankers in the entire match at the newly rejuvenated Makande gymnasium.
However, KPA was fielding new team, which is expected to mature with each match.
Meanwhile, 12 men and six women’s clubs have registered for the Coast provincial basketball league, which starts on Saturday.
Coast Basketball Association Secretary Jimnah Kimani said on Sunday that more teams were expected to register before the Thursday’s deadline.
He said the league would run concurrently in Mombasa, Voi, Malindi, Kwale and Kilifi Counties.
He added that registration fee is Sh5,000 per team and warned that no team would be allowed to take part unless the participation fee is paid in full.
Kimani confirmed Buxton Hawks who have acquired a new basketball court is one of the teams set for league.
Others are defending champions Makupa Lakers, Kiembeni Heats, Oceanears, Kenya University, Pwani University, Congo Nets, Wazee, Mombasa Baptist High School, Kisauni Kings, Gorofani Raptors and Mombasa Polytechnic University College.
Women teams are Pwani Hoopers, Makupa Lakers, Kenya University, Mombasa Polytechnic University College, Aga Khan Academy and Coastal Queens
Meanwhile, the Kisauni Constituency Development Fund (CDF) basketball tournament is set for June 9 at Mtopanga CDF Secondary School.
Kisauni Member of Parliament Hassan Joho in conjunction with Coast Basketball Association will sponsor the tournament.
