Zetech University Sparks has decided to withdraw from the upcoming FIBA Africa Zone Five Women’s Club Championship, which was scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda later this month in a recent development. Officials have confirmed this decision, citing their inability to participate in the tournament.
Joseph Amoko, the competitions secretary of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF), announced that the university team has formally communicated their withdrawal to the federation.
In response to Zetech University’s withdrawal, the KBF swiftly named Equity Bank Hawks as the replacement team for the competition, informing the regional body secretariat of this change.
The Zetech University Sparks, known for their sensational performances, had previously secured a 3-1 victory over Hawks in the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Playoff semi-finals. However, they faced a 3-0 defeat to eventual champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the final.
To accommodate these changes, the regional tournament’s dates have been adjusted. Originally scheduled to run from October 21 to 28, the championship will now take place from October 28 to November 4 at the BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.
Kenya will be represented by two teams in this week-long event, with the 15-time champions, KPA, leading the way. In the previous year’s campaign held in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, both KPA and Zetech University Sparks represented Kenya.
KPA reached the finals but faced a defeat to the Egyptian side, Alexandria Sports Club (ASC). In contrast, Equity Bank Hawks secured the fifth position in the competition.
As the winners of the zone, KPA and ASC earned the opportunity to represent the region in the FIBA Africa Women’s Club Championship held in Maputo, Mozambique, where the Egyptian team claimed the continental title.
Preparations for the upcoming championship are already underway for KPA, with their women’s coach, Anthony Ojukwu, disclosing that training has commenced for the Mombasa-based players. Nairobi-based players are expected to join the team soon as they gear up for the competition.
