KBF league resumption put on hold

Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) leagues will not resume this weekend as earlier communicated to the participating teams. Organizers are working to come up with a definite date for resumption. 

Following the return-to-action guidelines given on Thursday, 13 May, by the ministry of Sports after close to two months of inaction, a communication send to teams indicated that the leagues would resume on May 22.  

The 2022 season tipped off in early March with only four rounds being played before sporting activities were suspended due to a surge in Covid-19 positive cases. Some teams were yet to play any matches before the suspension took effect. 

"The League and Competitions Committee is still deliberating on the best way to resume with the biggest hindrance being the weekly Covid-19 tests that the ministry of Sports has asked Federations to conduct on active athletes. A majority of our league teams are self sponsored and that spells a financial burden so we are looking for the best way to handle the situation," offered KBF Secretary General Ambrose Kisoi. 

KBF had arranged for its members to be vaccinated in April when other sporting disciplines underwent a similar exercise at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. However, none of the vaccinated athletes and officials has completed the required dosage for the AstraZeneca vaccine as the second round of vaccination is yet to begin. 

"Not all players were vaccinated in that exercise since this was a voluntary exercise and those that were not ready or had reservations cannot be forced to take the vaccine," added the SG. 

In its statement on the return-to-action guidelines, the Ministry directed federations to wholesomely test all players, at their costs, with weekly reports expected from each ministry. Those preparing teams for international assignments are required to seek clearance from the Cabinet Secretary.

This directive has since raised questions from stakeholders on how many of the federations and teams can afford to conduct weekly tests on all their players and technical benches.