KPA Ladies Basketball Team Jets Back

Volume 05

December 2016

KPA Ladies Basketball Team Jets Back

K

enya Ports Authority Ladies Basketball team returns back home today (Monday) following its successful participation in the just ended Africa Basketball Champions Cup for Women in Maputo, Mozambique.

The team jets in aboard a Kenya Airways flight KQ 0741 that is expected to touch down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at

2005HRS. The team will then connect to Mombasa on KQ 0624 at 2355HRS.

championship ran from 25th November to 4th December 2016.

The Dockers return home heads high with a promising future having reached quarter finals for the first time in the last 15 years. KPA team represented the Nation and FIBA Africa Zone V during the competitive event that brought together top Women Basketball teams in African.

The

KPA team was ranked seventh overall after thrashing Angola’s CDA-Clube de-Desportos 6726 in the last match on Sunday.

KPA dominated the game registering an early wide margin of 34-14 points at half time. Five minutes into the third quarter the Dockers were

Team performance in Maputo commendable; - Head of delegation, Mrs. Jayne Kamau Page 2

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leading 40-14 points with their opponents having increased by only four points.

Un-deterred by the heat, the Dockers went on rampage, boxing out the Angolans to widen the gap further to 58-18 points by the end of the third quarter.

Forward player Felmas Adhiambo was the player of the moment with the highest score of 12 points in 14; 47 minutes in the game. She was followed by Selina Okumu, Natalie Akinyi and Hilda Indasi with 9 points each.

Earlier KPA lost its quarters

honorably to the experienced defending champions Club Desportivo 1-Agosto of Angola. This was despite KPA’s early intentions of winning the game after dramatically trouncing the Champions to lead 14-12 points five minutes into the game. However this trend was un-sustainable as the now revolted Angolans tactfully engaged new game plan that tilted the score line to 26-39 points at the end of the first half.

Despite the loss, this was one of the best game displays by the Anthony Ojukwu girls during

December 2016

the championship. The match ended at 40-72 points. Forward player Mercy Wanyama who was fielded for 31.36 minutes was the highest scorer having made 10 points followed by another forward player Felmas Koranga with 8 points.

INTER-CLUBE LIFT TROPHY

Angola’s Interclube are the new champions after flooring Club Ferroviario, Maputo 67-49 in a charged final game last evening.

Team performance in Maputo commendable The performance by the KPA team during the just ended basketball championship in Maputo was commendable, the head of delegation Mrs. Jayne Kamau has confirmed. Below please find excerpts of our brief interview with Mrs. Kamau who is also the Head of Administration on conclusion of the games.

Q; The 22nd edition of the Africa Basketball Champions Cup for Women has just come to an end, what is your comment on the general performance.

done better but I am happy for the first time in the history of this competition we have managed to get to the quarter finals. There has been gradual improvement.

A: The team has done relatively well. We could have

Q: Given the performance in the competitive games, does

this meet the expectations of the Management?

A: It is true the management emphasizes on enhanced performance right from cargo handling which is our core business. I am happy of our achievement and the

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exposure the girls have had here where basketball standards are on a higher level.

The Kenya Basketball Federation has a lot to do to ensure that basketball game standards back at home get to the next level. Currently we are still bellow Angola and Mozambique but with frequent exposure we can be at par.

Q: Your team’s journey to the championship was not a walk in the park, what are some of the notable successes and challenges.

A: I will start with the successes of the ladies

basketball team we have witnessed. Over the years the team has continued to excel and represented the Nation in several championship. Those who have quit playing are holding positions of responsibility in KPA and elsewhere.

Some of the players have gone back to University and they now hold degrees in various fields.

Q: What about the teams challenges?

A: Nearly 80% of the players are based in Nairobi.

Playing together as a unit is a challenge as the technical bench is based in Mombasa.

December 2016

All the girls are not employed, sustaining them has been a challenge. Whey they are not playing we are forced to use our own resources. Other challenges are lack of sports policy in place.

There is also the challenge of lack of good players from Schools around Mombasa.

Q: Finally, playing for a leading State Corporation team like KPA is no mean feat, does this motivate your players?

A: Although the team is winning, the players are unfortunately not getting a Monthly salary like their counterparts in football team.

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Head Coach Anthony Ojukwu talks on performance Q: The Championship is over, what is your take on the team’s general performance?

A: My observation is that all teams here were well prepared for the championship and it is likely that the preparation started well in advance.

Q: What lessons have you learnt from the championship?

A. It is paramount to have all players exposed to international standards by facilitating their participation in regular friendly build up matches. Inclusion of professionals eg. Players, fitness trainers, physiotherapists, nutritionist and doctor in the entire contingent is key. Must ensure players are highly motivated.

Teamwork is key and this is built by your own players. Poaching of players or bringing players for the championship doesn't help to build the team chemistry or togetherness.

I should be working with the players who understand their coach and relate well. Players have to practice together. Players turning up for various teams in this championship appeared to have trained and played together for a while.

We prepared well for the games and I am happy this has been a learning process Q: KPA is one of the best teams in the country, please share your experiences in growing the team over the years.

A: Yes, KPA ladies is the best team in the country by local standards. We have ensured satisfactory treatment of our players.

We go for good players locally, the players are well remunerated in terms of allowances. As a result of this and the fact that the players are given platform to show case their talents through participation in international tournaments, several good players have now wanted to and play for us.

Q: What have been your challenges in building up the team?

A: There is need to put the team together and train together. It is extremely difficult for us to work on a game plan because some of our players are based in Mombasa while the rest are spread all over the country Apart from the allowance for the games, our players need a monthly stipend that will help them cater for day to-day needs which will eventually reduce pressure on them and thus give them a conducive environment for training and playing. This will serve as a great motivation.

Lack of basic equipment among them basketballs, training kits, training bibs, cones and weight lifting equipment is also a challenge because the players cannot work on ball handling on a daily basis as required, cannot work on shooting drills as required and their strength and endurance as required for them to effectively compete in competitive games.

For us to have proper team chemistry the players should be accommodated in Mombasa to allow them an opportunity to train together and jelly.

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Q. Talking of your team’s strength and weaknesses, what is your strategic plan for the team going forward?

Appeal to management to set up proper structures and a well-equipped gym.

Establish a talent center for upcoming players or junior players which will work as a feeder to the main team and therefore allow continuity.

As the Head Coach I ought to have an Assistant working for the same goal.

Q. Like any other Coach you must be driven by ambitions, briefly share A. My ambition is to prepare come for this championship and win the gold which I feel is within my reach.

Q What were your highest and lowest moments in the just ended games?

A My highest moment in the championship was when I won the game against Togo to storm into the quarter finals which was punctuated by yet another win against hosts Apoltechnica to finish a respectable seventh , the best ever in my career at this level.

My lowest moment in the championship, was when we lost games we should have won. It was very demoralizing to see the players whom I thought were battle hardened become emotional and tense whenever our opponents took a slight lead.

This seriously impacted negatively on our performance Q How do you overcome these problems?

A: We can overcome this by exposing the team to big games among them international build up matches which will give them the much required confidence. I also look for my silent moments, pray to God, ask for Wisdom and share my frustrations with then team so that we can work towards achieving the same goal.

A: Yes, KPA ladies is the best team in the country by local standards.

We have ensured satisfactory PORT UPDATE is an E-Newsletter produced by the Corporate Affairs Department; Tel. 041 211 3416 Email:-ca@kpa.co.ke treatment of our players.