KPA shift focus to Zone Five after unbeaten league run

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) women’s basketball team head coach Samuel Ocholla says his side are shifting focus to the FIBA Africa Zone Five Championship, which tips off on October 17 in Tanzania.

The Dockers, who finished the National Women’s Basketball Premier League regular season unbeaten, are training at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa as they prepare for the regional competition.

KPA have also booked their place in the local premier league final, where they will face Equity Hawks, but Ocholla says the team is making only a few adjustments to its preparations as it incorporates new players into the squad.

“Our focus shifts to Zone Five. The way we prepared for the league final, we only need to make a few adjustments while incorporating the new players who have joined the team. We will have a few training sessions from today until the 17th, when we kick off the competition,” said Ocholla.

“I believe that with the manpower and personnel we have, coupled with the good run we have had, we are going to carry the day at Zone Five.”

Ocholla added that the team is targeting a better finish than last season as it seeks to secure qualification for the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), which will be held later in the year.

“We are working towards finishing in a higher position than we did last season. I believe all is well; everyone is healthy and raring to go. We will see how the tournament unfolds, as we intend to take one game at a time as we aim to reach the finals and subsequently qualify again to represent the country at the WBLA,” he added.

The Zone Five Championship will provide KPA with an opportunity to secure a place at the continental showpiece as they seek to build on their strong domestic form.