L. MathekaNakuru up next for Ariel Okall tournament
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 03.01.22. | 12:20
Targeting the April, August and December school holidays, the tournament is scheduled to be hosted in different counties across the country to help promote the sport at the grassroots.
After staging a successful inaugural Ariel Okall tournament on 1 and 2 January 2022 in Kisumu, the Kenya Morans forward will be taking the next edition to his home town Nakuru, in April.
The two-day competition brought together 12 teams, ten in the men's category at Magadi Primary in Kisumu. Maseno Dukes and Kisumu finest won the men's and women's category, of the event run in conjunction with Adili Sports Academy, respectively.
Am Honored to See Basketball being played In kisumu under th3 doctor’s brand, on a new year is just a sign of good things to come
— Ariel Okall (@th3doctor15) January 1, 2022
am humbled #different https://t.co/CZkIAX1xI2
"The Kisumu event was a success and we managed to get donations for Adili who are doing an amazing job of nurturing the next generation of basketballers. Winners were awarded cash prizes and other goodies. The Most Valuable Player (MVP), best shooters and dunkers were awarded. Inua Leather, a Ronnie Gundo-owned company awarded the best teammate award that went to Alphonse Odhiambo a young baller from kisumu," offered Okall.
Thank you Kisumu, everyone who participated, everyone who donated and supported the initiative
— Ariel Okall (@th3doctor15) January 3, 2022
Special Appreciation to Mheshimiwa Joachim Oketch Swagga and Moses Wanjara who graced the tournament
One Love ✌️ #wearethedifference #different pic.twitter.com/LMyfbwxlAs
The Next edition heads back to Nakuru. "I am looking at launching something different; a new basketball agenda back home," he offered. "I am from Nakuru and I know they are wondering when I will show up and do something there. It is coming and it will be big."
The Oman-based forward urged more players and stakeholders to join in nurturing the next generation for basketball to grow in the grassroots and in the country.
"Basketball needs us and we have the answers we just need to join forces and fix it. Basketball is ours and it is our responsibility to grow and bring it back to where it is supposed to be. If we keep waiting for help from elsewhere it might not come so I feel like us players have a huge role in cultivating the game and nurture talent and give direction especially those of us who have seen what basketball can do," he opined.
He continued, "2022 feels like a great basketball year and we wanted to start it on a high, set the tone for more basketball events both from our partners and other stakeholders who would want to join the movement."
2022 will make or break the game in the 254 https://t.co/5D8N5TcIbL
— Ariel Okall (@th3doctor15) January 1, 2022
Okall says he chose Kisumu to be the host for his inaugural event because the city has a great basketball culture. "Adili are running a great basketball program. They have young children there who are hoping to make something out of their love for basketball and it was a great opportunity to get donations for the academy. It was the perfect venue and for the right cause. Greatness comes in giving."
