Commonwealth Games: Bag of lessons for Kenya's 3x3 basketball

Team Kenya to the 3x3 basketball at the ongoing Club Games bowed out of the competition at the quarter finals, the women’s side falling 21-12 to England while the men fell 20-15 to Australia.

Kenya was the sole continental representatives at the Games as the version of the sport made its debut at the Games currently ongoing in Birmingham.

“Australia are a top team in 3x3 but this was our first time at this level. We appreciate the opportunity to face such a side. They have really taught us a lot. We had a lead in the quarters match but could not keep it

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As we go back to the drawing board for future competitions, we have work to do. We have to improve our game and time management. Issues like time left to play, fouls committed and much more.

We have learned a lot and this performance goes to show with more experience and exposure the sky is the limit for team Kenya,” offered Larry Shavanga after the quarters game against the losing finalists.

The men’s team had Shavanga teaming up with Daril Omondi of Strathmore Blades, Kenya Ports Authority’s (KPA) John Wijass and Equity Dumas’ Faheem Juma. Experienced Hilda Indasi led the women’s team alongside Victoria Reynolds, Melissa Akinyi and youngster Medina Okot. Both sides finished third in their respective pools to qualify for the last-eight.

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Omondi believes that this is just the beginning of greater things to come if the squads are maintained and accorded the support they need to gain exposure.

“The fourth edition of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 Africa Cup set for Egypt would be a good place for the team to begin in building on the experience gained here. We are a young side that was just getting started and we gave a good account of ourselves, often beaten on experience,” said Omondi.

Their sentiments were echoed by Indasi who believes the two teams have performed beyond expectations as they were up against professional 3x3 basketball players who have years of experience.

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“We could have done better but I feel that we have done really well considering this is the first time we are playing at this level. I feel like we have performed really well. This is a great start to a perfect journey for us," Indasi told BBC Sport Africa.