Clubs gear up for new-look KBF competitions
KPA’s Tobias Odumbe plays against Ulinzi Warriors during Game Two of the Kenya Basketball Federation men’s National Classic League play-off finals on December 18, 2014 at the Safaricom Indoor Arena. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Leagues adopt conferences.
- Lady Bucks join race as KPA men face Equity and USIU up against Blades in opening matches.
The National Classic Basketball League will kick off on March 14 in different venues countrywide.
The new-look men and women’s competitions will adopt conference format and will see newcomers Kisumu Lady Bucks play their home fixtures at Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground in Kisumu.
Kenya Basketball Federation fixtures secretary, Joseph Amoko, on Thursday said the new league format which got the backing of stakeholders during the KBF governing council meeting a fortnight ago and which is popular especially with the self-sponsored clubs will allow the teams much-needed rest in between fixtures and will conclude in good time.
Men’s champions KPA will start their campaign against Equity Bank. Equity’s newly-promoted women’s team will play KPA ladies.
Both matches are set for KPA Hall, Makande, on March 14.
Also playing on the first weekend will be women’s champions USIU who will take on Ulinzi Blades, while USIU men face finalists Ulinzi Warriors the same day.
“We have made all arrangements for the league’s kick-off in March to avoid the last-minute rush. Delays saw 2014 league conclude early this year,” Amoko said.
Quality of the game is also expected to improve greatly with the conference system as teams will have more time to prepare for ties.
Making the Eastern Conference in the men’s league are KPA, Zetech College, Co-op Bank, Equity, KAA, Thunder, Nairobi Aviation and Strathmore.
The Western Conference has Ulinzi, USIU, Blades, Mennonites, Lions, Nakuru Club, Terrorists and Umoja.
Eastern Conference of the women’s premier league has KPA, Strathmore, Safe Spaces, Equity, KCA, Mennonites and Storms. Western Conference has champions USIU, Co-op Bank, Eagle Wings, Ulinzi, Oryx, Western Delight and Kisumu Lady Bucks.
OPENING DAY FIXTURES:
March 14: Div One: Baraka v World Hope (THika), MKU vParklands (THika), Eldonets v Lakeside (Eldoret), Emyba vTrail Blazers, Blazers v Don Bosco.
Premier League: KPA v Equity men (MSA), Nakuru v Umoja (Nakuru), Eagle Wings v KU (Nyayo), Strathmore vThunder, Lions v Terror and Western Delight v Co-op Bank.
March 15: Kisumu Lady Bucks v Co-op Bank, ANU v Baraka Extreme, Upper Hill v AIT Little Prince, Dan Kind v Four Christ, Usiu v Ulinzi.
