Basketball: Obilo confident Sparks will surmount Zone Five disappointment

Last season’s Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s league finalists Zetech Sparks have confirmed that they will not make their debut in the FIBA Africa Zone Five women’s championship for financial reasons.

While admitting that this dimmed his playing unit’s morale ahead of the new season, head coach Maurice Obilo believes his side will bounce back and be competitive as they look to repeat their fairytale 2022/23 season show.

The varsity side had qualified for what would have been a maiden appearance in the regional tournament after reaching the final of the women’s top-tier league, also for the first time and went on to lose to holders Kenya Ports Authority.

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“The University management was not prepared to fund the team for the trip to Rwanda for this year’s regional championship. It, obviously affected the team’s morale but we have talked to the players and they understand our predicament. The university’s top management also met the players and explained things so we are in a better place as we begin the season,” coach Obilo offered.

The tactician emphasizes that it was easier to deal with the situation that has seen the side give up their spot in favour of former league champions Equity Hawks, since they are dealing with students.

“They understand our situation. It would have given us a lot of pressure were we dealing with professional players as they would have certain expectations. I know in future we will make it to that level again and then the institution will be better prepared,” Obilo further explained.

The side has started the 2023/24 season on a high, bagging convincing wins in their opening two matches. However, coach Obilo admits that they were facing teams that are still rebuilding and thus cannot entirely rely on those results to gauge their form.

As this season’s campaign continues, Obilo is hopeful that the players he has promoted from their development side will step up and fill the gap left by about five players who are leaving the outfit, having completed their courses and gotten opportunities to play elsewhere.