Uganda set to make debut at FIBA Africa U18 Championships
KAMPALA (2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championship) - Uganda became the eighth team to secure qualification for the 12-team 2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championship to be held later this month in Kigali, Rwanda (22-31 Ju
KAMPALA (2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championship) - Uganda became the eighth team to secure qualification for the 12-team 2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championship to be held later this month in Kigali, Rwanda (22-31 July).
Playing as hosts in the capital city of Kampala, the Ugandans beat Kenya in a two-game FIBA Africa Zone 5 qualifiers and as a result qualified for the tournament where future Africans stars are born to the basketball world.
We have been working very hard in grassroots programmes, and we are seeing the fruits coming to us now. Hopefully, some of these young men can one day represent the senior team." - Tashobya
Following the withdrawal of Tanzania, Burundi, Ethiopia and Eritrea, the regional qualifier has been contended between Uganda and Kenya.
In Game 1, shooting guard Ivan Muhwezi sparked Uganda with a game-high 23 points and five assists to open the series with an 80-58 triumph.
As Kenya looked to bounce back in Game 2, Nick Natuhereza’s team proved too strong prevailing 72-59.
“The Ugandans out-ran us and out-rebounded us,” admitted Kenya’s head coach Tony Ochieng. “At times our big men were not up to the task. We are going back to the drawing board and we hope to be better tomorrow.”
Although Uganda had qualified for the 2014 FIBA Africa U18 Championship, they withdrew due to administrative reasons.
However, this time, they will make sure to travel to neighbouring Rwanda, who will be hosting the tournament for the second time since 2010.
“We will be attending the tournament. This is an important moment for these young players,” Ambrose Tashobya, President of Uganda Basketball Federation, said to FIBA.com.
“We have been working very hard in grassroots programmes, and we are seeing the fruits coming to us now. Hopefully, some of these young men can one day represent the senior team,” the official added.
With the win, Uganda will be joining, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Mali, Angola, Tunisia and hosts Rwanda in the U18 Championship. Four more teams are expected to qualify for the 12-team tournament.
FIBA