Okall heads back to Oman with eyes on the title

Kenya Morans forward Ariel Okall is back in Oman where he is looking to lift the title with Al Bashaer Club. The feat is only two matches away from happening and the former Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) baller cannot hide his excitement. 

Okall is back in Oman where he has rejoined Al Bashaer Club, his third club in the Western Asia country that jumped off his professional basketball career in 2015. 

He had joined the new kids in the Oman league, in February, for the 2021 season which jumped off on Friday 12 February, and was set to conclude in four months. However, his dream of lifting his first title in the country was cut short after the authorities suspended sporting activities in the country. 

"Our last match was on 30 March 2021 after which the league was suspended. We stayed behind as negotiations on resumption in a bubble setting were on but had to get back to Kenya when that was not possible," Okall had explained upon returning home in April. 

The journeyman barely lasted a fortnight in Kenya before Uganda's Kampala International University (KIU) Titans came calling. His stay in Uganda was also short-lived as the league was suspended following a spike in Covid-19 cases. 

"I have unfinished business with AlBashaer and since they have resumed the league from where we left off, I am back. We were two wins away from lifting the title and that's where we are picking from. It is exciting and it feels special to be back and this close to the title. 

Okal signs with Oman’s Al Bashaer Club

Coming off Afrobasket in Rwanda, I am in good shape and feel ready and confident in helping the team clinch the title. The league is set to resume on 7 October and conclude on 17 October. This title would mean alot to my people and I. It will be my fifth title in four different countries," said Okall. 

This is Okall's third club in Oman having previously featured for Ahli Sidab in his first professional stint in 2015 through to 2017. He returned to the country in 2019 where he played for Dhafor for a season before coming back to Kenya and rejoining his parent-club Kenya Ports KPA.

Before signing for AlBashaer, the 30- year old had signed a six-month contract, running until July 1, 2020, with Algeria’s top tier side (ABC National 1) US Setif. He joined in February 2020, after taking part in the Afrobasket pre-qualifiers with the national team in January last year, and after only four matches the league was suspended on March 16. 

"I am staying another season in Oman. I love it here. If we win the two remaining games we will be crowned champions and we head to the Oman Cup a week later. The Cup tournament will run for a month, paving way for a new season and I plan to be here for the 2021/22 season," confirmed Okall.