CS Owalo pledges to revive lost basketball glory in Nyanza

Information, Communication and Technology Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo has pledged to revive the lost basketball glory in the Nyanza region.

He regretted that teams such as the Lakers and Jua kali teams which were the backbone of players to the National team collapsed.

Owalo, who presided over the opening ceremony of Eliud Owalo Nyanza's secondary basketball tournament in Maseno, said the region was the main feeder of the national basketball team with players.

Besides Lakers and Juakali, schools such as St. Mary's Yala, Cardinal Otunga, Kisumu Boys and Maseno School, which were the basketball giants during his heydays in school, have since gone under, except Maseno.

He challenged the tournament organisers to identify players to constitute two Nyanza-based basketball teams- male and female- which will represent the region.

"The former top basketball players, who are organisers of the tournament, should take advantage of the tournament and select the best players for the region.

"As Eliud Owalo Foundation, we are ready to support the two teams which will be based in the region. We want to revive the basketball in Nyanza," Owalo said.

The schools will also be supported, Owalo added.

The tournament, sponsored by the Eliud Owalo Foundation, has attracted 26 schools from the Nyanza region.

Owalo said Kenya Sports Academy (KAS) and Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) will scout the best talented players during the two-day tournament.

The foundation donated uniforms to the 26 schools. KAS will also donate uniforms to the top three schools at the end of the tournament.

The tournament brought together 13 boys and 13 girls schools from Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Nyamira, Kisii and Migori counties, 390 student-athletes drawn from Nyanza schools, taking part.

"I am here to give back to basketball teams having been a basketball player. We need to help identify and nurture talented basketball players," Owalo said.

The CS challenged those in the public sector, especially in the government to help identify and nurture young talents.

He pointed out that talent is good only if it is well nurtured and fully exploited for income generation.

Owalo cautioned the basketball federation against corruption which he pointed out has in the past rocked the soccer games in the country.

The tournament matches are played at Maseno School, Kisumu Boys, Kisumu Girls, and Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground.

Kenya Academy of Sports (KAS) director John Okwemba said they are scouting talented players for a team that will represent Kenya in the USA this year.

"We have brought scouts here, we will not disclose them for integrity and by the end of this tournament. These young men, some of them will have been selected to go to the USA," he said.

Nyanza basketball champions Onjiko Boys High faced off in the opening match with Maseno School on Saturday.

Onjiko, the Nyanza giant, eyes lifting the Eliud Owalo basketball title.

School head coach Joseph expressed confidence that his team will win the secondary basketball festival trophy.

Maseno School chief principal Peter Owino said they expect an entertaining basketball match.

"We want to have a fair competition amongst our players to showcase their talents," he said.

Owino praised the CS for organising the tournament, which would massively help in identifying and nurturing talents among the students.

Maseno School coach Austine Otieno warned Onjiko and Agoro Sare that they should brace up for a real fight because they are not pushovers

“Our main threats in the tournament are Agoro Sare, Onjiko, and maybe Sawagongo. However, this year, we have beaten both of them and we hope to be the best in this tournament,” Otieno said.

He added:

“I have very intelligent boys although they are not endowed with height. As compared to previous years, I think we have the best team,” noted Otieno.

Agoro Sare start their campaign against St Kizito Nyansiongo at Kenyatta Sports Ground while Usenge will battle it out with Kisii School.

In the girls’ category, Nyanza regional defending champions Ototo Mixed coached by the principal Clement Nyakinda will face minnows Manga Girls from Nyamira in the opening match as Kereri Girls and Sironga face off in the other game.

Former Nyanza region champions Barchando will start their hunt for the tournament against Nyakach Girls while Sengera Girls will play Asumbi in the other encounter.