Maina recommends fewer, more competitive teams for Kenyan basketball growth

Veteran tactician, David Maina, who has guided Equity Hawks to three Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women's league championships in the last five seasons is calling for changes in the local league. 

The tactician, who was appointed overall coach at Equity, overseeing both the men's and women's teams with Sylvia Kamau taking charge of Hawks, has recommended fewer but more competitive teams for Kenya to compete with her peers in the continent. 

Speaking after Hawks lost 3-1 to Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) jn playoff final, Maina says a league of eight competitive teams playing more matches will lead to better teams and players thus improving the level of basketball in the country. 

"I believe the organisation of the league affects the players. The matches are few and far apart yet when we play in the playoffs or international matches, we are expected to perform well playing five or more matches within a short period. 

I think that is not practical and it affects our results both at club level and the national team. I would recommend a league of fewer teams and more matches," Maina said in an interview.

As the two teams, KPA and Hawks prepare to represent Zone Five at the Africa Club Championships, the tactician maintains that a more competitive local league would help the two sides give a better account of themselves on the continental stage. 

"Only four of the 12 league teams are currently competitive. We could still beat the other eight with the current squad even within training and that is not good for high level competitions. 

If we could have a league of eight teams that are very competitive we will have high level of basketball and that improves the Kenyan basketball, even at the national team level," offered Maina. 

From the season ended last month, five of the ten teams lost more than half of their matches. Kisumu Lady Bucks finished last, winning one of their 18 matches and forfeiting one. 

Kenyatta University Oryx won seven, Strathmore Swords won five while Africa Nazarene University (ANU) and and Eagle Wings won six, losing 12.