Teenage sensation Okot joins Zetech Sparks

Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) Madina Okot has left the Mombasa-based club for Zetech Sparks, joining the Maurice Obilo-coached side on a two-year contract with the option of extending for two more.

Okot, who has been with KPA since her school days at Kaya Tiwi has joined Zetech for a two-year diploma course thus eligible to play both in the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league and the university league games for Sparks.

“She is a great inclusion to the team and a big boost to the team on the baseline. The university is keen on triumphing in the varsity league but also remain competitive in the national league and she ads to our depth,” Obilo offered.

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The 2022 Sports Personality of the Year (SOYA) most promising player brings a wealth of experience and skills despite been just 18 years old. In addition to featuring for KPA in the top tier league and guiding Antony Ojukwu’s side to the 2022 championship.

Part of her experience has been featuring among the top 60 African players at the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) camp in Cairo Egypt. Last year, she was also part of Kenya’s 3×3 team at the Commonwealth Games and was a vital part of the Under-23 side that qualified for the 3×3 World Championships in Romania for the first time.

She was named as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Africa Qualifiers as well as the international camp in Egypt. She was a joint top point hitter in Kenya’s resounding 21-8 opening victory against Sri Lanka at the Commonwealth Games. During the FIBA Africa Women's Champions Cup 2022, she was named the best rebounder.

“She has started with a diploma course but she plans to continue to a degree for another two years so we have her for at least four years,” Obilo explained.

This weekend, Okot is expected to make her first appearance for Sparks when the side takes on former KBF women’s league champions Equity Bank Hawks in their first league match this year.

In the first leg, Sparks stunned Hawks o win the encounter and subjected the bankers to their first of only two loses so far in the league.