NAIROBI (FIBA Africa Championship for Women) - THE national women's team assemble at Nyayo National Stadium next week to start training for next month's Africa Feminine championships in Dakar, Senegal.

Agina Wesonga, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chairman told SportFest yesterday that the girls will train between 12 and 2 pm from Monday to Friday.

"We have given out budget to the government through the Kenya National Sports Council and we are also approaching some firms for sponsorships." said Agina.

He also made appeal for individuals to come to the team's aid by chipping whatever they can so that the team can realize this important tournament in the continent.

Kenya had a sterling run in last month's All Africa Games in Algeria where they won five out of eight games. The top two will book a ticket to Beijing, China or the 2008 Summer Games.

In Algiers, Kenya beat Tunisia 58-56, Mali 58-52, Zimbabwe 81-68, DR Congo 65-64, Algeria 78-69. They lost to eventual winners Senegal 69-45, Nigeria 57-51 and Mozambique 82-62.

KBF have already named the new players who have received a first call up as Yvonne Akinyi and Winnie Achieng both of Kenya Ports Authority.

Others who trained with the team but were dropped have been given another chance. They are Caroline Arato (KPA), Angela Okoth, Samba Mjomba (USIU), Judy Akoth and Volnet Wanyama (Yana).

The Dakar festival that will bring together 12 teams from all over the continent is slated to kick off on September 21-30.

Th Kenya together with Nigeria, Angola, Cameroon, DR Congo and Cape Verde. The matches will be played in Thies.

The Kenyan girls open their campaign against Angola on September 21. They then play Cape Verde a day latter, meet Cameroon on September 23.

DR Congo comes calling on 25th and then wind up against Nigeria on September 26.

Full draw: Group A: whose matches will be in Dakar are hosts, Senegal, Mozambique, Tunisia, Mali, Madagascar, Ivory Coast.

Group B: Kenya, Nigeria, DR Congo, Angola, Cameroon and Cape Verde.

Dann O'Were
FIBA