KPA shifts focus on Africa Zonal Championship

After their unbeaten league record came tumbling down at the weekend in the hands of Ulinzi Warriors, basketball league champions Kenya Ports Authority are now shifting gears to the African Zone Five championship scheduled to take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The dockers were humbled by Ulinzi Warriors in a league action at the weekend in their backyard but will want to quickly forget the waterloo with attention now shifting to the regional assignment.

Both the KPA men and women teams will represent Kenya in the championship alongside Equity Bank and  Strathmore Blades who were runners up last season in women and men’s leagues respectively.

The 10-day competition runs from September 30 to October 10.

KPA men will be looking forward to continue with the good form they have shown in the domestic league where they lead with 35 points with two games remaining, paving way for the play offs.

In last year’s championship  held in Kampala, Uganda, KPA finished third after losing at the semi finals to City Oilers (Uganda) who went ahead to win the championship.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, KPA head coach Sammy Kiki said they are well prepared for competition.

“We are training and ready for the championship; our aim is to reach the final moreso after losing in the semi finals last year,” he said.

KPA ladies, champions of the African Zone Five Championship, will be out to defend the title for the third straight time after winning the last two editions held in Dar es Salaam and Kampala respectively.

Head coach Anthony Ojukwu said the team is in good form following thorough drills on conditioning, chemistry and mental approach.

“Our aim is to defend the title and continue dominating the region,” he said.

The KPA team leaves on Friday by road for Dar es Salaam.