KPA to bolster squad ahead of new season

With the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) leagues expected to throw off soon following the conclusion of the men's league playoffs, Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) coach Sammy Kiki has his sights set on title defence as well as making it to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 

Coach Kiki guided his charges to the men's league championship, dethroning Ulinzi Warriors and in the process book a ticket to the qualifiers of the continental showpiece. 

With a busy season ahead, the tactician admits that he will beed to bolster his squad both for local duty and for the continental assignment. 

"I am proud of what my squad has been able to achieve this season. We worked hard and it paid off when it mattered. Being the champions, we head to the new season with a target on our backs and as such, we will need to strengthen some of our departments for the title defence. 

I am looking to bring in an experienced point guard as well as a centre player to bolster the squad that I already have. This will give us the desired depth. I expect to retain the players I had in the just concluded season. None has expressed a desire to leave and I will not be dropping ant player," said coach Kiki. 

The dockers have also booked a ticket to the next BAL qualifiers where they will be making a return and hoping to go all the way to the main tournament. 

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KPA were the first Kenyan side to represent Kenya at the BAL qualifiers in its inaugural season but they were eliminated in the second round of qualification. 

Despite winning two group stage matches, a walkover was their main undoing as they missed a great opportunity to fight to be in Rwanda for the main event. Warriors also fell in the second round of qualification late last year. 

"BAL is a different ball game and we have to be realistic about the squad we front both at the qualifiers and in the main event. When the time comes, we will also look to add to the squad some experience players from the continent and beyond.

BAL allows for teams to make such signings. However, while at it, the squad that won us the league will be a main priority as they also need to gain the experience at that level," Kiki explained. 

The 2022 BAL season completed the second phase of its season with the Nile Conference group phase in Cairo, Egypt last month. 

Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), FAP (Cameroon), Petro de Luanda (Angola) and defending BAL champion Zamalek (Egypt) advanced to the BAL Playoffs in Kigali, Rwanda later this month.

They join REG (Rwanda), US Monastir (Tunisia), AS Salé (Morocco) and S.L.A.C (Guinea). The eight playoff teams will compete in a single-elimination tournament and Finals, with the winner crowned the second BAL champion. The 2022 BAL Finals will be held Saturday, 28 May.