Hoops pros start to arrive ahead of Zone V tourney

National basketball team professional players have started to arrive in the country ahead of the Fiba/Africa Zone V Championships scheduled for September 21-30 in Kampala, Uganda.

Sunday, September 07, 2014

National basketball team professional players have started to arrive in the country ahead of the Fiba/Africa Zone V Championships scheduled for September 21-30 in Kampala, Uganda.

Kami Kabange (R) beats Power's Norman Blick (L) during a Ugandan league game. (Net photo)

Both the men and women teams started residential camp today at Hotel La Pallisse, Nyandungu and training at Amahoro indoor stadium ahead of the regional event.

The regional competition will also serve as qualifiers for 2015 All Africa Games in the Republic of Congo and 2015 Afro-basket Championships, which will be held in Tunisia.

France-based Nicolas Yannick Gihana, who will be marking his debut, was the first to arrive on Saturday, while Kami Kabange, who plays for Ugandan side City Oilers, was expected to jet in on Sunday.

US-based Bradley Cameron is expected to arrive on Tuesday (tomorrow) while Kenny Gasana, who plies his trade in Morocco, is expected on Thursday.

The national team’s captain Hamza Ruhezamihigo, based in Canada, is the only player yet to confirm the exact date of arrival.

The Men’s team will be without US-based trio of Patrice Twagirayezu, Dan Manzi and Adonis Rugamba as well as Tierry Sukusuku based in France due to school commitments. 

The men’s team is coached by Moise Mutokambali, while the women’s is being handled by Jacques Bahige.