Basketball: Big shots set to clash in Kisumu

Eagle Wings' Winnie Wafula is challenged by Adelyne Munguti (left) and Emmy Achieng of Masaku Sparks during KBF Match at USIU Basketball court on Sunday Sept 2, 2018

Top guns are set to clash at the fifth Biro Lich Basketball tournament at Jomo Kenyatta Sports grounds in Kisumu this weekend.

Unlike in previous tournaments where men ran the shows, this year’s event features women’s teams in all categories.

Dubbed as Biro Lich Mashujaa Day basketball tournament, this year’s event will see teams from Nyanza and Western regions battle.

In men’s category, defending champions Team Resist face an uphill task as they seek to retain the trophy after Kenya Basketball Premier league sides Lakeside, USIU and Ulinzi Warriors confirmed participation.

Also expected to take on Team Resist’s are Kisii University, African Nazarene University, University of Nairobi, Egerton University, Kenya Coast National Polytechnic and Maweni Berrets.

Kisumu County Basketball League sides -Natives, Tritons, All-Star, Bay Lakers and Mbale Saints are out to pull a surprise while Busia Raptors -are also expected.

Charles Kinyua, who organizes the tournament’s under Pacho 360 Hoops body, said most teams will field men’s and women’s sides.

“We expect the tournament to be big. We will be hosting many teams and the tournament is all about fun. We expect a good show,” said Chris Kinyua, President of Pacho 360 Hoops.

This year’s event, which seeks to help fight crime and drug abuse, is supported by Kenya Basketball Federation and has been sponsored by Silverstone Airline, Safarilink, Equator bottlers, Creative natives and AAR healthcare.

Others are Golden Entertainment, Skylark Kicens Sports, Jamii Telkom Limited, Lake Dental Clinic, Webba Sports, Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, Club da place and Club Barcadia.