S. GitahiKenya's 3x3 basketball team announced ahead of Beach Games
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 30.05.23. | 17:44
The tournament will provide the men’s team - which did not feature in the 3x3 Africa Cup - an opportunity to qualify for the Bali Games in August
The Kenya Basketball Federation, in close collaboration with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K), on Monday announced the full roster of players expected to represent Kenya in the upcoming 3x3 basketball assignments.
The squad, divided into two groups; U23 and Senior for both the men and women categories, is lined up for action in three competitions that will include the Africa Beach Games (June), World Beach Games (August) and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Chilly morning at Umoja Court.
— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) May 29, 2023
NOC-K and KBF will formally announce the 3x3 National Basketball team. #TeamKenya #InspiringTheNation pic.twitter.com/uuCq65U0Cu
Confirming the announcement of the 28 players, who will be joined in camp by four more players on call, 3x3 basketball head coach Zaddock Adika expressed optimism in the now growing partnership between the federation and Team Kenya, saying that there will be improved performances with the right funding that comes with it.
“I am excited that we have finally completed the process of selection,” Adika said on Tuesday. “We are in an advantageous position having had our teams participate in the Kenya Beach Games in Malindi earlier this year and we are looking forward to making strong debuts in the tournaments coming up.”
Highlighting the men’s squad will be Strathmore University’s Dennis Koja and the ever present duo of Larry Shavanga and John Wiljas - both from KPA - and who represented the country in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, UK.
On the women’s side, a similar core to the one that represented Kenya in last year’s FIBA 3X3 Africa Cup has been maintained, and will include Zetech University’s trio of Madina Okot, Mary Lisa Omondi and Christine Akinyi, Rachel Odhiambo and Mary Anne Nyagaki of Equity Hawks and Hilda Indasi of KPA.
The team is expected to start camp in the coming weeks, with preparations set to involve the team traveling to a suitable environment ahead of the June 23 event in Hammamet, Tunisia.
The tournament will provide the men’s team - which did not feature in the 3x3 Africa Cup - an opportunity to qualify for the Bali Games in August.
The Olympic Games next year will act as a climax for what is expected to be a new dawn for the sport in the country.
FULL SQUAD.
U23 MEN: Brian Zuriel, David Kamau, Dennis Koja, Paul Magloire, Jason Nwodo, Timothy Ayieko.
OPEN: Faheem Juma, George Omondi, Gerry Wekesa, John Wiljas, Larry Shavanga, Phillip Odhiambo, David Kamau, Dennis Koja.
ON CALL: Duie Owen, Abuqudus Abdi.
U23 WOMEN: Alexandra Adala, Barbra Diana, Margret Nerea, Madina Okot, Mary Anne Nyagaki, Mary Lisa Omondi.
OPEN: Christine Akinyi, Madina Okot, Hilda Indasi, Rachel Odhiambo, Deborah Obunga, Mary Lisa Omondi, Mary Anne Nyagaki, Margret Nerea.
ON CALL: Jemimah Omondi, Joy Mupalia.
