FIBA to Morans’ rescue, but the coast is yet to clear

Kenya Basketball Federation’s (KBF) talks with governing body FIBA to bail out the men’s national team, Kenya Morans, from the brink of missing out on the World Cup qualifiers has borne some fruit.

The governing body, according to federation Secretary General (SG), Ambrose Kisoi, is willing to cater for the teams travel to Cairo from Kenya, taking a huge burden off of KBF’s back who found themselves in the thick of things after the government dropped the bombshell on dry coffers last week.

Having been thrown into the deep end as the norm has been the government taking care of the team’s preparations and participation at any international competitions, KBF had to find a way to get Morans to Egypt.

“Talks with FIBA began when we realized we had to find a way for the team to play. They have shown willingness to help. They will cater for travel expenses and we will pay the debt owed later.

Morans eying a friendly in Egypt ahead of World Cup qualifiers

Initially we had requested them to cater for accommodation but realized they would be of much more help with the latter expense.

We still have to find the funds to accommodate the team in Egypt and any other expenses so that is what we are sourcing for. The cost of players who are set to play but are travelling from outside the country could also partly fall on us.

When we have a proforma invoice ready for FIBA then we can tell how much they are willing to handle,” offered Kisoi.

Meanwhile, the team has been training at Nyayo Indoor Arena in preparation for their assignment under coach Sadat Gaya. However, the government’s communication on lack of funds and the ensuing responses to said information threw the non-residential camp in disarray and Mozzart Sports’ spot check can confirm that there are days the team did not train as a unit.

Morans are up against tough opposition in group D that has the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Egypt and Senegal. The side lost all their matches in Dakar in February to put themselves in a tough place where they will need victory in all three matches for a chance to proceed to the next level of qualification.

Disowning a list doing rounds on social media purporting to be the official travelling squad, Kisoi says the uncertainty of the trip had forced them to hold on to the final squad arguing that the official list would be out by close of business Wednesday 29 June.

“We have been given the leeway to arrive in Egypt latest 1 July at 9am local time so that we can undergo the required checks before our match slated for later that day. We should have been in Egypt on 28 June if our previous arrangements had stood. However, the team will be out of the country as soon as possible,” added Kisoi further confirming that the team could travel with Gaya as head coach if Cliff Owuor is unavailable for the assignment.