By Erick Ochieng’
Kenya Basketball Federation men’s Premier League champions Co-operative Bank hit 61-46 Strathmore University 61-46 in a Code Red DJ-sponsored Friday Night Basketball league match at the Nyayo National Stadium.
But Strathmore were able to ward off stiff opposition from the newly promoted side Safe Spaces whom they beat 56-26 in the women’s Premier League.
Another fierce contest ensued at an exhibition match pitting East who won 21-18 against West in the wheelchair basketball category.
Co-op Bank started on strong footing, winning 13-8 in the first quarter but Strathmore rose to lead 13-12 in the second. The third and fourth quarters were dominated by the champions who led 14-13 and 22-12 with Titus Musembi scoring 16 points for the winners.
Henry Omondi netted 12 points including two three-pointers for the university side. Strathmore, however, defeated Safe Spaces 14-10, 11-13, 17-9 and 26-24 in the women’s category. Tanya Ogwel, playing for 23 minutes netted 14 points including five two pointers and 14 attempts for Strathmore, while Safe Spaces’ Peninah Nthenya scored 13 points.
Code Red DJ CEO, Allan Mugai, who sponsored the league matches, believes it is a great idea to bring the disabled on board to help change the face of Kenyan basketball.
“For many times people with disability have been ignored but Code Red DJ has embarked on a mission to give them a chance, it is for this reason that wheelchair basketball has been incorporated for the first time in the Friday Night Basketball show,” said Mugai. The wheelchair basketball players were drawn from the national team.
Mugai, who has been organising the matches since last year, has plans to expand the games by bringing on board various performing artistes to add sensation to the games and attract the youths normally associated with basketball.
Mugai called upon corporate and basketball fans to come on board and help him sponsor the second annual KBF awards at the end of the year.
