Uganda’s participation in International Basketball Federation (FIBA) organized tournaments has increased greatly over the last five years with both the Silverbacks and Gazelles making inroads on the continent.
Earlier this month, the men’s team also finished second at the FIBA 3*3 Africa Cup in Lome, Togo in the shorter version of the game while the ladies ranked first in Africa, finished fifth.
Many a time for the Silverbacks however it is mostly foreign based players who get the nod ahead of domestic league players with the exceptions being Jimmy Enabu and Stephen Omony.
But as the two teams travel today for a three-team tournament at the invitation of their Kenyan counterparts, it is a chance for domestic league players to impress ahead of upcoming tournaments.
The 10-man Silverbacks roster consists of only domestic league players and includes the Betway Power duo of Joseph Ikong as well as Geoffrey Soro.
The versatile Ikong who can play as a guard and small forward has been a regular presence for the Silverbacks while power forward Geoffrey Soro is returning to the team after a good season with Betway Power.
Jamila Nansinkombi on the other hand headlines the Gazelles team, having just starred for Kenyan side Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) at the FIBA Africa Basketball Women Championship in Mozambique.
She finished as top scorer averaging 17.1 points and was named on the tournament all-star team despite her team finishing seventh in what was her maiden appearance.
She finished as top scorer averaging 17.1 points while playing 29 minutes and was named on the tournament all-star team despite her team finishing seventh in what was her maiden appearance.
The tournament capped a fine individual year for Nansikombi who averaged 21 points in the playoff final against UCU to guide JKL to a first ever women national basketball league title.
She is joined on the Gazelles team by compatriots Flavia Oketcho and Ritah Imanishimwe.
“The games will help us with preparations for future continental tournaments,” stated National Team Committee’s Muhammad Santur who also hopes to organize more training camps for the teams early next year.
The Teams
Silverbacks:
Jimmy Enabu (City Oilers), Joseph Ikong (Betway Power), Mark Okidi Opiyo (Warriors), Syrus Kiviiri (Warriors), Ben Komakech (City Oilers), Stephen Omony (City Oilers), Geoffrey Soro (Betway Power), James Okello (City Oilers), Joseph Chuma (KIU Titans) and Stanley Mugerwa (Warriors)
The Gazelles:
Flavia Oketcho (JKL), Sylvia Nakazibwe (KCCA), Rita Imanishimwe (JKL), Ekon Brenda (Nkumba), Judith Nansobya (KCCA), Jamila Nansikombi (JKL), Zainah Lokwameri (UCU), Sarah Ageno (UCU), Hope Akello (JKL) and Martha Soigi (KCCA).
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