Africa-Press – Kenya. The men’s deaf national basketball team coach Charles Goro says they will not take any of their opponents for granted at the Deaflympics qualifiers, which commence Saturday at Nyayo Stadium.
Goro admitted he does not know much about the other teams and hence will be at their best to ensure they secure their slot to the 24th edition of the Deaflympics in Caixas do Sul, Brazil.
“Basketball is universal and success is dependent on talent. I know very little about the teams participating in the event. Apart from Uganda, we honestly don’t know what to expect from the other countries,”Goro said.
The tactician was speaking after the naming of a 24-member squad, which will compete at the two-week championships, the first ever on African soil.
The men and women’s team will each be composed of twelve players. They have been working hard in training for the last few weeks at Moi Stadium, Kasarani in preparation as they gear up for the battle to qualify for the quadrennial event.
Goro expressed satisfaction with the lads’ physical and mental condition, saying they are more than ready to fly the country’s flag high.
“Standards have been set and only the sky is the limit. The team has undergone a series of strength and conditioning sessions and are looking great both physically and technically,”he said.
Ndoro Chaka and Calvin Musalia will be tasked with kickstarting the team’s attacks as point guards whereas Leakey Nyabaro, Jeorffrey Omondi and Brian Okiriing will be shooting guards.
Wilson Obange and David Ogogo will spearhead the power guard department while the small forwards will be Wilson Kanda and Elvis Ochieng.
The centre trio will be James Ogeka, Caleb Kabaka and Fredrick Ochieng.
The women’s team, coached by Carolyn Ouma, have also been training at Moi Stadium, Kasarani and will be seeking to replicate the success of their counterparts, Kenya Lionesses, who in July qualified for the FIBA AfroBasket Championships in Kigali, Rwanda.
Sixteen teams from 22 African countries will compete at the event, which also includes football — to be played at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
Among the participating countries are Mali, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Gambia, Zanzibar, Somaliland, Gabon, Egypt, Libya, Liberia, Cameroon and Mauritania.
Tanzania opted out of the tournament due to Covid-19 related issues.
Peter Kalae, president of the Kenya Federation of Deaf Sports, said the event offers a chance for deaf sportspersons to showcase their talents on a continental platform.
“We thank the Government for their support in the growth of deaf sports. This is now an opportunity to showcase the pride and talent of the deaf culture in the continent,” Kalae said.
