Grief, resilience and resolve: KPA's journey to Zone Five title
When KPA left the country for Kigali, Rwanda for this year's Zone Five (Group D) Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) qualifiers, the resolve was to reclaim their title and qualify for the AWBL.
KIGALI (Rwanda) - When Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) left the country for Kigali, Rwanda for this year's Zone Five (Group D) Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) qualifiers, the resolve was to reclaim their title and qualify for the continental championship.
Barely hours after arriving in the host country, head coach Antony Ojukwu received the devastating news of his mother's demise.
While such news had the potential to cripple not only the coach but also his entire squad, they seemed ever so committed as they beat all and sundry to be crowned champions and qualify for the AWBL slated for December 11 to 19 in Cairo, Egypt.
"Our efforts paid off and teamwork was key to our victory. It was hard for me to guide the team with the overwhelming grief of my loss. The team, however, did a wonderful job, supporting and playing together as a team for this win," Ojukwu said after guiding the Mombasa-based Kenyan champions to reclaiming the zone's title, relinquished in last year's competition to Egypt's Alexandria Sporting.
The tactician, who dedicated the trophy to his late mother admits it was a trying journey for his team.
"The dynamics of our preparations have not been favourable, to say the least. But through it all, we have overcome and exceeded expectations. I want to congratulate all of you on your victory. You have all done exceptionally well," he took to social media to express.
His message continued, "I thank you players for your resilience, determination, discipline and above all your fortitude. You have stood through pain and adversity to gain this championship. Thank you. To all our fans who have supported us through the years, we are who we are because of your support. We appreciate you.
To the technical bench, thank you for your wisdom and input in the decisions concerning the team that have led us to this victory. I would not have managed all this without your support.
May we now look forward to the assignment ahead."
With 7 games and 7 wins in 8 days, KPA went undefeated in the 9-team competition, booking a ticket to Cairo alongside losing finalists Rwanda Energy Group (REG) and a team from the host country, representing Zone Five.
Placed in pool B that had five teams, Ojukwu-led KPA won all four of their group stage matches, beating JKL Lady Dolphins 82-72 in the opener, went 105-43 against JKT of Tanzania, 72-42 against REG whom they met again in the final and 70-49 against Nile Legends.
Playing Tanzania’s Vijana Queens in the quarters, the Mombasa-based side were the clear favourites and proved it with an 81-36 victory to reach the semis where they met JKL for another comfortable 74-53 victory to make it to the final.
KPA took on REG in the final played on Saturday 4 November night, winning dominantly in an 87-53 outcome.
Victoria Reynolds who seemingly never had an off day in the competition, her contribution proving key for the Dockers, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP), making the Team of the Tournament alongside teammate Madina Okot who was crowned the best rebounder.
Other individual awards went to Rosine Micomyiza of REG who emerged as the tournament's trey master as Kamaba Diakite was the highest scorer.
KPA headlined the final rankings with REG placing second while Equity Bank Hawks completed the podium places.
Newly-crowned Ugandan champions JKL Lady Dolphins, APR, Gladiators, Nile Legends, Vijana Queens and JKT occupied the next six places in that order
Individual Awards:
MVP: Victoria Reynolds-KPA
Best 3point shooter: Rosine Micomyiza- REG
Best rebounder: Madina Okot --KPA
Best scorer: Kamba Yoro Diakite--Gladiators
Fair play team: Nile Legends
Team of the tournament:
Betty Kalanga---REG
Tetero Odille----APR
Kamba Yoro Diakite-- GLADIATORS
Victoria Reynolds --KPA
Madina Okot--KPA
FIBA