Betway Power duo of captain Joseph Ikong and Michael Makiadi will this week take time off their league duties when they take part in the Africa City Challenge basketball tournament this week in Nairobi.
The two were selected as part of Team Kampala's roster that comprises of 10 players. The other members on the team coached by Mandy Juruni include Uganda national team captain Stephen Omony, a close-season signing for City Oilers from Startimes Falcons. Others are clubmate Jimmy Enabu, Mark Opio (Pemba Warriors) and Ivan Lumanyika (KIU Titans) who all play for the Silverbacks the Uganda men's national team. Geoffrey Soro is the other Ugandan picked.
Tanzanian shooting guard Sudi Ulanga (KIU) and the Kenyan trio of Brian Namake (UCU Canons), Phillip Ameny (Warriors) make up the rest of the roster. The 5-day event that will be held at Nyayo Indoor Stadium will feature 6 teams from 6 East African city basketball powerhouses competing in 11 games that will be televised Live on Kwese Free Sports.
The tournament that got underway in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday sees ‘Kampala Red Stars’ join the fray today. Coach Mandy Juruni’s side face Dar Dream Team from Dar-es-Salaam. The winners of the competition will pocket $6,000 (Shs21m) in cash. The cash prizes account for $13500 of the sponsorship. Over $ 5,000 has been spent on uniforms, trophies, and additional incentives.
Mombasa, Juba, Mogadishu and hosts Nairobi are the other sides in the six-team event. Ikong and Makiadi both regulars for their respective countries Uganda and Kenya have impressed for Betway Power as they started the season with a 3-0 record. Makiadi is averaging 17.2 points and Ikong 10.7 respectively.