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Why BAL qualifiers were moved from Nyayo to Kasarani

Why BAL qualifiers were moved from Nyayo to Kasarani
Nairobi City Thunder’s player dunks at the Kasarani Gymnasium. PHOTO/@kipmurkomen/X

National Basketball Association (NBA) has expressed concerns about the poor state of infrastructure at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, citing leaking roofs and inadequate facilities that hinder Kenya’s ability to host international events like the recently concluded Basketball Africa League (BAL) Elite 16 Stage tournament.

Speaking exclusively to People Sport, Nairobi-based NBA scout Abel Nson highlighted the subpar condition of the Nyayo gymnasium, especially during the initial BAL Elite 16 East Division games. These were held at the facility while awaiting renovations at the Kasarani indoor court.

Leaking roofs

“During some of the initial BAL Elite games played at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium, as game officials waited for renovations at Kasarani Indoor Court to be completed, rainwater poured through the facility’s leaking roofs onto the basketball court. It was embarrassing for the international basketball officials present,” Nson lamented.

Nson explained that some of the BAL Elite games were played at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium because BAL competition organisers and host Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) were still awaiting the completion of renovations at Kasarani International Sports Centre (KISC) before relocating to KISC as the official venue for the BAL games.

“We had a bad moment at Nyayo National Stadium Gymnasium. It rained in the middle of the basketball court. That was sad for a country of this magnitude like Kenya,” Nson recalled.

Nson emphasised that Kenya is highly regarded as a basketball country, yet the state of its sports facilities is deplorable.

He added, “Apart from the dismal state of sporting facilities, Kenya is also recognised around the region and continent as a nation with great sporting potential.”

“So, the athletes and the positive ambassadorial image they project outside the country during international competitions should be matched with good sporting facilities here at home,” Nson advised.

He also complained that the government seems detached and is not very keen on ensuring the availability of good sports facilities for hosting local and international games.

He pointed out that during the BAL Elite 16 Stage games, when Kenya’s representatives, Nairobi City Thunder, competed, it was the team sponsor, Twende Sports, that appeared to undertake many of the competition’s logistics, such as branding and tournament-related activities.

Nson highlighted that in Rwanda, the government of President Paul Kagame is directly involved in both local and international sports events.

Lessons from Rwanda

“Sports and basketball issues in Rwanda are handled directly by President Kagame from State House. The government of Rwanda has fully invested in basketball. So, basketball teams in Rwanda are properly facilitated and resourced by the government,” Nson pointed out.

Nson urged the Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, to follow Rwanda’s example and invest in state-of-the-art sports facilities as well as resource the country’s national teams and clubs involved in national sporting assignments.

He added that with the availability of good sports facilities, Kenya would be able to identify athletes across various disciplines, nurture them, and develop them into potential sportsmen and sportswomen capable of competing effectively on the global stage.

Nson also suggested that the Kenyan government emulate Rwanda’s approach by establishing a comprehensive reward scheme for athletes, basketball teams, players, and participants from other sports disciplines. This, he argued, would motivate them and ultimately lead to better results, helping the country build a strong international image.

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