KEN - Women tops in FIBA Africa coaches course

NAIROBI (Coach Clinics) - SPRITE Storms Sylvia Njeri emerged the best participant during the FIBA Africa international Module One coaches' clinic held in Nairobi.

The course was conducted at the Nyayo National Stadium gymnasium, by FIBA Africa Instructor Ronny Owino (PICTURED). A total of 18 coaches under went a ten day session that covered theory, presentation, practice and written examinations.

"This is the beginning and I am determined to be among the best coaches in the country" Njeri vowed adding that "the clinic was very challenging and that I have learnt a lot."

Owino, who is also the head coach of the Kenya national teams has a coaching experience spread over 20 years having started at a early age with Jua Kali, a Kisumu based team that send shock waves in the early 80's.

He told FIBA correspondent that the participants were very interactive and that he will continue working together with the tacticians to help promote Kenyan basketball to greater heights.

Kenyatta University coach, Gitau Waringo who has been involved in the game for three decades closed the course with these remarks.

" This was the most wonderful coaching course I have ever attended." I can assure you in a nutshell what I have learnt for these days are more than I have ever got. It has given Kenya a new dimension."

KCB Lions Emmanuel Ochieng said." Ronny has so much to offer to the game. It was great listening to him. We have gained so much.

And Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) vice chairman in charge of technical, Henry Shihemi warned those teams who were not represented that they will not be involved when the 2007 league starts.

"We will not allow those coaches who did not attend to sit on the team benches when the league starts." warned Shihemi adding "it is also illegal for a team not to have a coach."

He said that all coaches were aware of this new FIBA directive and those who opted to stay away did so at their own peril.

Agina Wesonga, the KBF chairman said he was disappointed that some of the top coaches did not attend the course and they will have themselves to blame.

Apart from national champions Ulinzi Warriors, the other teams that did not send coaches to the course were newly promoted Kisumu Lakeside and Nakuru Club.

In the women's category two sides United States International University "USIU" and University of Nairobi "Dynamites" were not represented.

Among the participants were Telkom and women's national team coach Thomas Olumbo, Emmanuel Ochieng, Morris Shitsama, George Owino (KCB), Nick Ngumbi (Ulinzi).

Ben Oluoch (Storms), George Mayienga (USIU), Anthony Ojukwu, Sammy Kiki (KPA), Gitau Waringo (KU), John Chasimba (Yana), Mike Mureithi (Java),Carey Oketch (Co-op), Tony Ochieng (Strathmore), Charles Goro (Jkuat), Fred Omondi (ICC) and Dan Ochieng (Coast Youth).

Dann O'Were
FIBA Official Correspondent in Kenya