Kenya - Kenya hosts African women basketball event

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The 14th edition of the Africa women's Basketball Champi ons Cup tournament gets underway Thursday at the Nyayo National Stadium basketball gymnasium, Nairobi, with a number of teams likely to miss the event.

Teams from the DR Congo, the reigning Africa Zone Four champions, are likely to miss the 10-day event in Nairobi.

It will be big blow to the championships which also double as the Africa Zone World Club League qualifying event.

Organizers -- Kenya Basketball Federation -- Wednesday said that DRC's Radi and V Club were yet to communicate their arrival date.

"All teams except teams those from the DRC and Uganda are in the country. It is unfortunate that we do not have any information about teams from DRC. They have not told us whether they are still in the race or have pulled out," the KBF Secretary General Vitalis Gode said.

On Tuesday, Africa Zone Seven champions Sotrata of Madagascar withdrew from the competition, citing financial hiccups.

Uganda's Kampala City Council, which replaced the Islanders, is expected Friday morning.

"Kampala City Council have agreed to abide by whatever decision we make at the technical meeting and drawing of lots. They are scheduled to arrive on Friday", Gode said.

Africa Zone Five finalist APR of Rwanda and 2006 continental champions, Djoliba of Mali, arrived Tuesday morning, bringing the number of teams in Nairobi to nine.

Teams that jetted in earlier in the week are CSA and ABC of Cote d'Ivoire, defending champions Desportivo from Mozambique, Primero de Agosto of Angola, KPA and Eagle Wings of Kenya, and Nigeria’s First Bank.

Fiba Africa Senior/Lead Commissioner Madam Salamatou, due to conduct the tournament draw Wednesday, arrived early in the day from Mali.

“Everything is now set. Today, we have received equipment donated by Fiba Africa and the teams are here,” he said.