Feature: Kenya's slide in basketball continues unimpeded

Kenya's golden era in basketball when the country was considered a regional and continental powerhouse was in the 1970s and 1980s during which both the men's and women's teams reigned supreme.

However, due to lack of a solid and focused youth program to feed develop basketball talent and feed the national team with players, the game took a nose-dive.

"Many good players begin playing basketball in high school, which is a very later stage compared to powerhouses like Angola and Senegal. In sports, there is a direct correlation between age and success," former national team player, Moses Maloba told Xinhua on Wednesday.

There has always been talent in the basketball in the country, however since great players such as Ronnie Owino, Smarts Olumbo, Big Sam Omole, Isaac Omole and Lawi Odera retired from the game, their replacements have been very hard to come by.

The women have also produced good players like Queen Olumbo, Caroline Omamo, Phoebe Orimba, Nasila Achieng, Susan Kariuki and Wilkister Oduor.

Most of these players joined the coaching ranks, but have not been able to transfer their expertise to their charges, giving rise to fears that the game's best moments could be over.

Kenya Basketball Federation's fixtures secretary, Joseph Amoko said basketball in Kenya has largely suffered because of being ignored by the government in favor of football, athletics, volleyball and rugby.

"The sport has suffered and continues to suffer because of being overlooked. Teams participating in international tournaments are usually less prepared before and during games compared to their opponents," Amoko noted.

National teams generally convene for practice sessions less than two weeks before competitions compared to their opponents who begin preparations earlier and present their best players even if it means recalling them from overseas where they play professional basketball or attend college.

Teams also travel to regional tournaments by bus during which they endure long arduous trips and spend nights in dingy lodgings during competitions.

"Instead of giving their best during the games, the players have to fight off fatigue, soreness and low self-esteem which put them at great disadvantage to their competitors who are booked in decent hotels where they are well taken care of, which makes them give their best," a national team player who requested anonymity told Xinhua.

Kenya took part at the FIBA Africa Championship in 1985 where the country emerged 12th overall; 1987 All Africa Games (4th); FIBA Africa Championship 1989 (11th); and FIBA Africa Championship in 1993 (4th). Endit