Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone 5 News: Uganda's Tonny Drileba bags a prestigious BAL award, Legacy Tournament champs crowned in Rwanda, and Kenya's national team gears up for action under an eagerly awaited new coach.
Last Updated on
February 1, 2024
Kendi Mwiti
Staff Writer
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Drileba Lands Prestigious BAL Award
Ugandan point guard Tommy Drileba was this week awarded the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ubuntu Trophy in recognition of his ongoing efforts to use the game of basketball to positively impact the lives of youth in his native country.
Drileba won the award in 2024 after being recognised for regularly hosting basketball clinics and life-skills seminars for boys and girls from underserved communities in Kampala.
As an assistant coach for Angels Basketball Club – a professional women’s team that competes in the Ugandan Basketball League – Drileba participated in the club’s community outreach projects across the country, including youth clinics and life-skills seminars at Nakivale Refugee Camp in Western Uganda.
BAL Ubuntu Trophy is awarded annually to an individual or organisation that has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season.
The Ugandan National Basketball League Gets Underway
The 2024 Ugandan National Basketball League tipped off this weekend with mouthwatering action in both the men and women's categories.
YMCA L Hamsters were a no-show, UPDF L Hawks their first league points, with the other ladies' game on opening day seeing KIU Rangers edge JT L Jaguars 61-57.
On the other hand, the first men's game saw JT Jaguars bag a comfortable 70-53 against Livingstone.
Namuwongo Blazers managed a narrow 63-59 victory over the KIU Titans.
APR & Kepler Bag Legacy Tournament Titles to Signal the Start of New Season
APR and Kepler basketball clubs were crowned champions of the fourth edition of the Legacy Tournament after beating United Generation Basketball Club (UGB) and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) respectively, on Saturday January 27th.
APR lifted the title in men’s category after seeing off UGB 89-58 in the final. In the women’s tournament, newcomers Kepler overcame REG with a narrow 51-47 victory to win the trophy, their first silverware since qualifying to play topflight basketball in 2023.
Morans Continue Preparations Under Coach Cliff Owuor
The National Men's team, Kenya Morans, hit training last week in preparation for the upcoming 2025 FIBA AfroBasket qualifiers set for from February 23rd in Tunisia.
The team is currently under the guidance of Coach Cliff Owuor, with Australian playcaller Grant Wallace expected to join the team in the first week of February.
The Kenyan-based players are currently engaged in non-residential training, with the foreign-based contingent expected to commence their training next week.
