There will be no changes in the format of play in the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) top tier, it has been announced.
Joseph Amoko, the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) competitions secretary, said changes agreed up on during the team managers meeting will only affect the Lower Division teams.
Proposals were floated to have the league format changed to a conference system with an equal number of teams playing in the Eastern and Western Conferences. But this will have to wait.
“We agreed that we will start the conference system with the teams in men’s Division Two and Women’s Division One. The Premier League format will remain as it is for the time being,” said Amoko.
“This development also means promoted and relegated teams will have to move to their new setups.”
Kisumu Lakeside and Zetech University Titans will drop from the men’s category while another Kisumu side, Lady Bucks, will also be relegated. The conference system means no team would have been relegated.
Amoko said United States International University (USIU) teams — Flames and Tigers — have joined the Premier League where they will be joined by Zetech University and Absa.
The league will tip off on August 25 at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium with two mouth-watering clashes on the card.
Equity Bank Dumas, who lost to champions Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in last season’s finals, will take on former champions Ulinzi Warriors. The other game will see Equity Bank Hawks fight the Flames.
Meanwhile, the basketball fraternity is in mourning following the demise of former Ulinzi Warriors head coach William Balozi, who passed away two days ago after an illness.
Amoko, Nairobi Basketball Association (NBA) chairman Ronny Owino and Warriors team manager Stephen Bartilol have conveyed messages of condolences to the family, relatives and friends.
