Kenyan international joins Storms
The national women's basketball player Mercy Wanyama takes a shot against Upper Hill High School during their training match at Upper Hill High School on March 8, 2017 ahead of the Afro Basketball tournament. PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO |
What you need to know:
- Equity Bank women’s head coach David Maina had last week expressed his frustrations at Wanyama’s failure to renew her contract with the bankers and had to do without her during his team’s narrow 44-38 win over Zetech University in a league match at USIU on Sunday.
- Nson also confirmed that the newly signed Panthers men’s basketball team players have joined Thunder to feature in the top league.
In a surprise move, international forward Mercy Wanyama, 26, has rejoined Storms bringing to a sudden end her four-year stint at Equity Bank.
The 2016 women’s Premier League Most Valuable Player, who left Storms for Equity Bank in 2016 is among four other star players who have switched their allegiance to Storms that is sponsored by an America-based foundation MTM (Mwenya Tutula Muniafu).
Storms head coach Abel Nson said the players have been registered for Panthers Basketball Club but joined Storms so that they can play flight basketball action as they prepare for international tournaments with Panther.
Other Panther registered women players who have joined Storms are United States International University speedy guard Melisa Akinyi, Daystar University point guard Steffi Ingabire and Zetech University shooting guard Becky Nkatha.
Ogola, daughter of former Kenya international football defender John “Bobby” Ogolla, was on a basketball scholarship at USIU and is set to graduate in August.
Equity Bank women’s head coach David Maina had last week expressed his frustrations at Wanyama’s failure to renew her contract with the bankers and had to do without her during his team’s narrow 44-38 win over Zetech University in a league match at USIU on Sunday.
Nson also confirmed that the newly signed Panthers men’s basketball team players have joined Thunder to feature in the top league.
The players include Kenya captain Joseph Khaemba from Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Raymond Kimani from Strathmore Blades, Fahim Juma from Zetech University, Kevin Chogo from Equity Bank and Ken Wachira who was unattached.
“Ideally we have a team called Panther for men and women which we registered this year with an aiming of identifying and developing talent. We will play the 3-on-3 circuit of the league and local and international tournaments, but have entered an agreement with Storms and Thunder to register them so that they can be able to play in the top league too”, Nson said.
According to the Kenya Basketball Federation rules, any newly formed team must start the league at the regional level before joining Division Two, One and then the National Classic league meaning Panther are ineligible to play in the Premier League.
TEAM EXPENSES
Nson said at the initial stages, MTM Foundation whose founder is a Kenyan based in the US, Kaki Muniafu, will take care of all the Storms and Thunder team expenses.
After three 15 players who must impress will be contracted on full time basis with monthly salaries among other thing.
“At this stage, we will have to baptize the teams MTM Storms and MTM Thunder respectively with branded kit,” Nson said.
He said they were determined to take the league by storm this season.
