Kenya 3x3 U-23 national team teams have been pitted in tough pools in the fifth edition of the FIBA 3x3 World Cup starting today in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Kenya will field a team of 10 players—five in each gender—in the five-day event which ends on Sunday.
Kenya was granted wild card entry to the event after their chance to host the FIBA 3x3 Youth Nations League Africa-1 Conference qualifiers last July in Mombasa was disrupted by political protests.
The women’s team includes Mary Lisa Omondi (USIU), International Judith Omedi (Thailand), Emily Bosibori and Babra Diana (Storms). They will operate under the tutelage of seasoned coach Eunice Ouma.
Despite the late departure, the women’s team are scheduled to face Poland and host Mongolia today. They face Israel on Friday before concluding their group-stage matches against Germany on the same day.
The men’s side features David Gichohi (Vikapu Elite), Elisha Odhiambo (Ulinzi Warriors), Jackson Waweru (Blades) and Dennis Koja (Blades). Tony Ochieng is the team's coach.
Kenya will face Lithuania, Latvia, Chile and the USA in Pool 'D' while Pool 'A' will pit France against Egypt, Spain, Ukraine and Algeria.
China, Netherlands, Mongolia, Japan, and Benin will form Pool 'B" while Pool C comprises Germany, Israel, Italy, New Zealand and Argentina.
The men’s team will kick off their campaign tomorrow against Latvia, and Chile. The USA and defending champions Lithuania will be next in line for the Kenyan team.
Team manager Angela Luchivya expressed confidence, saying the non-residential camp at Strathmore had boosted their preparations.
Both Kenyan teams finished 16th in the last encounter and were ranked second in Africa behind Egypt.
With new additions like David Gichohi, 19 and Jackson Waweru, 20, Luchivya is optimistic about the team’s transition.
"Our players are raring to go and we aim to challenge the powerhouses. Shooting has always been our biggest problem but we’re working hard to address that," she added.
The team has been training for the past two months in readiness for the World Cup. Accompanying the teams will be the team doctor Tony Ndeda and physiotherapist Lillian Adhiambo.
