This archive report was first published on 7 August 2019.
As the Africa Cup of Nations (Afrobasket) championships in Dakar are set to start on Friday, uncertainty surrounding the Kenya national women's basketball team's participation has left officials and players in a state of limbo.
According to Kenya Basketball Federation officials, Paul Otula (chairman) and Hilmi Ali (vice chairman), the government has yet to confirm the team's air tickets, just hours before their scheduled departure to Senegal on Thursday.
The team's accommodation and other requirements for the tournament are also yet to be fixed, leaving the players in a state of uncertainty.
"It is very frustrating for our sportswomen to remain in camp for close to three weeks now without any information on their travel plans," Ali said, adding that the uncertainty has caused panic and will most likely affect their performance at the tournament.
Kenya Basketball Federation had submitted the team's budget to the government immediately they qualified for the continental finals over three weeks ago, Otula said.
"We should have been told from the beginning that this trip would be a non-starter. The fine for not participating is quite heavy," Otula said, adding that the government should have come up straight and told them they had no money in time to allow them come up with a plan 'B.'
The players in camp at a Nairobi West hotel include captain Hilda Indasi, Debra Atieno, Samba Mjomba, Natalie Akinyi, Georgia Adhiambo, Melisa Akinyo, Betty Kananu, Silalei Shani, Mercy Wanyama, Vilma Achieng, Belinda Okoth, Annrose Mandela, and Rebecca Njoki.
Competing in international tournaments puts the Kenyan players on the global radar, making it possible for foreign scouts to recruit them either on scholarships abroad or for professional stints, Ali noted.
