3x3 teams ready to conquer continent

National Under-23 3x3 team player Medina Okot during training. [Courtesy]

Kenya’s men and women 3x3 basketball Under-23 teams are ready to conquer Africa as they prepare to jet out for the continental Beach Games in Hammamet, Tunisia.

The teams are expected to jet out tomorrow after they were handed over the national flag by Sports Minister Ababu Namwamba.

The men team captain Brian Ziruel said time is rife for them to conquer Africa.

“This is our time. We need to conquer Africa as we shall use this event to prepare for Nations League Under-23 in Algeria next month,” said the captain.

He said the event in Tunisia will be part of their preparation for the Under-23 World Cup in Poland in September.

“These events have great deal for our 2024 Olympic Games road plan in France. We are carrying Kenyan Olympics dream on our shoulders,” Ziruel said.

The men’s team boasts of a formidable lineup, that includes Strathmore University’s Dennis Koja, Timothy Oyoo and David Gichohi.

The women team is led by budding player Medina Okot of Zetech University.

The university’s lethal player Mary Lisa has also been named in the team. Others in the women team are Margaret Nerea and Equity Hawk’s Maryann Nyagaki.

Kenya Basketball Federation Vice President Hilmi Ali said the team has been well funded by the government.