Manyehlisa Lehohla - The Big Tip Off

Okatch turns her trials into triumphs

WHEN Dorothy Okatch experienced some of the darkest moments in her life, the basketball court was the space where she found refuge and solace. Apart from getting peace of mind from the game, the Botswana referee has become a prominent official on the continent and is achieving grand milestones.

Okatch, who comes from a basketball family, experienced life’s trials at an early age. She lost both parents at different stages of her youth. The loss of her father, drastically changed life for her and her family. Also learning about the family’s refugee status in their adopted country from her late mother exacerbated their struggle in Botswana.

“I did not know we were refugees until I got to junior secondary school. My dad started a job at the University of Botswana. For the first few years, we lived comfortably. We had a good place to stay. My dad was a lecturer, and I guess he made good money,” said Uganda-born Okatch, who spoke to The Big Tip Off via Zoom two weeks ago. “When my dad passed away, my mom had to take care of six kids, so things changed. We moved to a refugee camp. ‘I asked myself why we were moving to this place?’ At the time, it still did not click that we were refugees. It was when I got to high school that my mom explained the situation of our lives.”

**Botswana referee Dorothy Okatch has overcome adversity in life. Pictures: The BTO**

Following her mother’s explanation of the family’s refugee status, Okatch, who arrived in Botswana 1987, would later learn that not all in the Southern African country would be welcoming.

“At the time, it was not an issue for me. That’s until my school teacher began talking about refugees. Then the teacher asked if anyone in class was a refugee? I innocently lifted my hand, and most of my classmates laughed, and from that time, everyone treated me differently,” said 39-year-old Okatch. “Then everyone in the class started calling me a refugee. It sunk in that it sucks not being from here. It sucks how I am viewed differently from everyone else. I was talked about as someone who had fled to Botswana to stay alive.

“It changed my perspective of things. How I interacted with people, what I said and did. After that incident with the teacher, my experience was hell. I wished I had not raised my hand and felt the teacher had tricked me.”

Okatch, who presently works as head of an NGO in Botswana, would see her fortunes and that of her sister change, when they moved to a new school.

“My sister and I got a scholarship through a church in Canada to attend a private school (in Botswana). At that school, most of us were from other countries, and so I had a much better experience in that environment” said Okatch. Okatch has since then felt more integrated into the Botswana society, and now considers herself a patriot.

Looking back at the loss of both parents, the situation seemed perilous for Okatch, especially when she had completed high school and transitioning to university. Luckily she would be a beneficiary of scholarship for refugees that enabled her to study outside of Botswana.

“I lost my dad when I was seven-years-old and at 16 my mom passed away. So, here I was, a refugee in Botswana. I had just finished high school and awaiting my results. Things began to pile up and I asked myself what the hell I was gonna do?, said Okatch. “I could not get a job or do anything else because of my refugee status. Fortunately, I got a scholarship through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to go and study at the University of Namibia. ”

Namibia presented a fresh start for Okatch, it was also where she immersed herself more and more into basketball. She served in the basketball structures at the University and it was where her journey into refereeing began.

“Given what I was dealing with, I almost got a nervous breakdown and when things were crazy, I would find myself at the basketball court. I also served on the basketball executive committee at the university. My life revolved around basketball. Anyone could tell you ‘Dorothy lives and eats basketball’. If you were looking for me, the basketball court is where you would find me,” said Okatch, who holds a Masters degree in Social Work.

She described how the road to officiating began.

“My journey into refereeing started in 2002 when I was in my second year. Some friends and I went to a place called UN Plaza, where a high school game was being played. It was heart-breaking to see some of the kids not playing but refereeing games. I saw it as unfair to them as they did not know how to be unbiased in games. I also doubt they were familiar with the rules of the game,” said the University of Namibia alumni. “My friends and I decided to step in, and I loved it so much that I came every weekend. I just enjoyed giving those kids a fair game.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dorothy Okatch (@okatch10)

Okatch’s quality of being impartial had impressed Namibian basketball official, Charles Nyambe, leading to her getting an invite for a referee’s training course and officiating in her first major game.

“Namibian official’s chairperson invited me to a referees clinic. Under his watch, I would go on to referee my first men’s game: Rebels versus Tomahawks, something that terrified me. This is the biggest game in Namibia. Charles was there to remind me I was a fair referee and to not be afraid of making the right call,” said Okatch. “That is where the love and passion for refereeing began for me. Namibia gave me my first whistle. That country groomed me as a referee.”

Having grown in her role as a referee, Okatch was ready to take another leap, that of becoming an international referee. However, achieving that goal would be complicated. On her first attempt whilst in Namibia, Okatch faced issues not only with her not being a Namibian citizen but also she learnt that she was pregnant.

“In 2010, Charles nominated me to attend a zonal (Southern Africa) referees clinic. I was supposed to go as a Namibian referee, although I was not a citizen. It was a controversial issue, as you can imagine,” said Okatch. “I had to pay my costs, and I was okay with that. As I prepared myself and tried to get fit, I realised I was out of breath. It was then that I discovered I was pregnant and so I could not go that year.”

In 2014, Okatch, who had since returned to Botswana two years earlier, attended another zonal referees clinic in Zimbabwe. She again had to pay out of her own pocket as the Botswana federation could not afford to send her.

“The Botswana association told me they did not have money to pay for the trip to Zimbabwe. I told them I could pay for myself, and so I went to Zimbabwe for the zonal licensing, and I aced it,” said Okatch, who would later go on to become Botswana’s first internationally recognised referee. “Eight months later, there was a call for referees with zonal licences to upgrade to the international level. Fortunately, I was able to go to Madagascar for the licencing, and in 2015 I got it. I was the first referee in Botswana to get an international license.”

She added: “It was one of the best feelings I have ever had since my involvement in basketball. I used to check online daily to see if my name was on the list, and the day my name appeared, I screamed and cried. Finally, Botswana had an international referee.”

Okatch, who also holds a 3-on-3 refereeing licence has officiated at some top international tournaments. Her career highlights include refereeing at: the 2019 Women’s AfroBasket, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and the Special Olympics World Games (Abu Dhabi in 2019).

“My highlight tournament was getting to referee the final in my first AfroBasket. Also, officiating both the women’s and men’s 3X3 finals tournament in Uganda. The names of the officials for finals had not been released, and when I got called to do the women’s final, I was chuffed with myself. It was an indication of how good I was at my job. I then got to referee the men’s final, which again boosted my confidence and trust in myself,” said Okatch. ” Also with the Special Olympics World Games, I had never officiated on the global stage. That was really special for me because it reminded me why I was a referee. It reminded me the importance of compassion and fairness when you referee. These athletes want to compete and enjoy their sport and being able to provide that platform made me happy.”

Okatch now looks forward to officiating at the Commonwealth Games in July in Birmingham, England. She also aspires to referee at a FIBA junior or senior World Cup.

“I am excited and look forward to officiate at the 3X3 tournament because it’s yet another higher level of competition. I would love to officiate a FIBA world championship tournament, whether the junior or senior competition,” concluded Okatch.

Okatch has a lot to look forward to as a referee. The sacrifices she has made to grow in the sport she loves have paid off and in the process, she has changed the trajectory of her life. It may not always be smooth sailing but she has learnt how to turn trials into triumphs.

Okatch turns her trials into triumphs Read More »

Ground-breaking Liz Mills eyes BAL glory for AS Sale

1 Comment

THROUGHOUT her time on the African continent, Australia-born Liz Mills has successfully rocked long established traditions in the coaching sphere.

Mills, who has spent over a decade coaching in Africa, has made significant inroads while coaching mostly men’s teams. In the process she achieved major milestones, including as Kenya Morans coach and now in her new role as coach of Moroccan club A.S. Sale.

The former Morans coach, who spoke to The Big Tip Off via Zoom on Monday, became the first woman to qualify and lead a men’s national team to international competition last year. While Mills and Kenya have since gone their separate ways, she reflected on what was a fulfilling time for her.

“It was an exciting, rewarding but also challenging journey. A year ago, I was with the Morans, a team that had not seen the AfroBasket for 28 years. When we qualified, it was a historic moment. Not just for myself as a woman, but for Kenya as a whole. Being able to help them achieve a goal they set in 2019 and leading them to the tournament was rewarding,” said Mills, who felt the eyes of the world on her during the tournament in Rwanda.

Second Picture — **Former Morans coach Liz Mills in discussion with Nigeria coach Mike Brown. Pictures: FIBA**

“I also understood the significance of the occasion. That weighed heavily on me, understanding that I am representing female coaches in the way I carried myself, and how the team performed. It felt like I was always under scrutiny. It was constantly on my mind. I wanted to represent female coaches to the best of my ability. I wanted to make them proud when they saw me leading the way with Kenya.”

Mills would eventually lead the Morans to the playoff round at the AfroBasket, but her time with the East African team came to a surprising end early this year. Both parties have since moved on. While she regards the chapter on the Kenya national team as closed, she still has interest in coaching national teams.

“I knew straight after the AfroBasket I had achieved everything I had wanted with Kenya. I was happy with the time I spent there and to have been a part of their journey, but it was time for me to move on. I’m not shutting the door on working with any team. For the second window of the world cup qualifiers I am available, but my time with Kenya is over. We were going in different directions,” said the A.S. Sale coach, who will become the first woman to lead a team to the Basketball Africa League competition, which tips off on March 5.

It’s not the first time Mills has had contact with the Moroccan Division Excellence club. She initially got in touch with Sale, ahead of the inaugural BAL tournament, but nothing concrete materialised.

“I had reached to Sale two years ago. We tried to work out a way for me to come and coach there. Unfortunately, things did not work either from their side or mine. I was supposed to coach them for the first BAL tournament last year. In the end, it just did not work out,” said the Mills, the first female head coach of Sale.

“Coaching Sale is ground-breaking. There has never been a woman head coach at a North African men’s team at the national or club level. Also, when Sale heads to the BAL, I will be the first woman to lead a men’s team to that tournament. So, I am breaking the barriers as I go along.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coach Liz Mills (@coach.mills13)

Apart from achieving career landmarks, joining the 2017 African club champions is a level up for Mills. She feels the team has good management, and their reputation on the continent speaks volumes.

“I wanted a new challenge and to coach a more experienced team, who are also more professional in their approach. A club like A.S. Sale is a prestigious, successful and historic club in Africa. I have also worked a lot in sub-Saharan Africa, so crossing over to the north to engage with a different style of play is something I needed to do as a coach,” said Mills, who will lead Sale to their second BAL appearance.

The former Patriots Basketball Club (Rwanda) assistant coach was also impressed with the talent pool available to Sale for this year’s campaign.

“Any opportunity to work with players of this calibre, be it at the national league or BAL, would be a good experience for myself as a coach. We have great veteran players and a good core of young players coming up, which is exciting for me,” said Mills, whose team imported three lethal scoring weapons and have BAL experience.

The addition of American combo guard Terrell Stoglin, shooting guard Abdoulaye Harouna of Niger and Spanish power forward Alvaro Masa make for an impressive arsenal. Taking the final slot is Kenyan small forward Albert Odero. Sale also have some good local stand out players like veterans Zakaria El Mabashi (guard) and Najah Abderrahim (forward), who Mills holds in high regard.

“We have Zakaria who is a legend on the continent. He is the Eduardo Mingas of Moroccan basketball. He is a sharp shooter. At 42 he has done well to take care of his body. He will do a great job for us coming off the bench. There is also Najah. I think he was the MVP of club championships in 2017. He is also one of the best power forwards in Africa,” said Mills. “The club had already brought in their imports before I got here. I am pleased with them. Terrell, Abdoulaye and Alvaro were the leading scores in the BAL. So we have some firepower. I coached Albert during my time with the Morans. There is a nice mix of offensive talent and defensive stoppers.”

Mills also spoke highly of the eight-time Division Excellence winners’ chances of seizing this year’s BAL title. “This team has a history of success at this level. We aim to win the BAL. That is our goal. We will not be satisfied unless we go out and win the BAL.”

Third Pic — **Liz Mills is confident Sale can go all the way in the BAL tournament.**

Before Sale can even think of winning the BAL tournament, they will first have to navigate their way past a tough Sahara Conference group.

Last year’s finalists U.S. Monastir (Tunisia), are favourites to win the group. Meanwhile five other teams, in the form of Rwanda Energy Group (REG) BBC, Dakar Universite Club (DUC) Basketball, Seydou Legacy Athletique Club (Guinea) and Ferroviario da Beira (Mozambique) are dark horses and will look to stand in the way of Sale.

Mills says their group presents a stiff challenge and that whichever team progresses will be better equipped to withstand the knockout stages.

“I think we are in the much harder conference. It’s a great thing because if you can get wins in this group, then the first crossover in the quarter-finals will be a bit easier. After all, the games were much harder,” said Mills, who looks forward to the battle against the Tunisians. “Monastir is the favourite. Most of the players compete for the Tunisian national team. That’s a match-up that excites us. It’s also a great measuring stick for us.”

Mills has already cemented herself in basketball lore for breaking barriers, but she is not one to be content. Her new coaching assignment has heightened her ambition. As she gets ready to steer the A.S. Sale ship, would it be far off the mark to imagine the promised land lies in wait for her?

Ground-breaking Liz Mills eyes BAL glory for AS Sale Read More »

Reece ‘The Beast’ ready to re-establish himself

Leave a Comment

FOR a couple of months, Reece ‘The Beast’ Prinsloo believed injury had brought a sad end to his magnificent playing career.

At the end of October last year, the decorated forward posted a heartfelt goodbye message to basketball on social media. He was thankful for the memories the game had given him. He also paid homage to the coaches who had afforded him the chance to shine at national team and varsity level.

This was the end, so he thought. It seemed the decision for Prinsloo, who initially retired due to a vertebrae injury, was premature.

The Egoli Magic player and four-time Basketball National League (BNL) champion, speaking via Zoom a week ago, said making the call to end his career was based on his emotional state.

“I think I will be playing this year. I went for a second opinion and will be back in the game soon,” said Prinsloo who explained the nature of the injury. “During a (BNL match) against the Tshwane Suns, I landed awkwardly, and my discs were out of place. It was a tough time having to announce my retirement, but now with hindsight, I realise it was a premature and emotional decision.”

Following careful reflection and a positive discussion with his wife-to-be, the Gqeberha-born Prinsloo is raring to get back on the court.

“I now have a different view of things. After putting aside all the emotions, I realised: ‘hey, you are 30-years-old. There are guys who are the same age and are at their peak. Some guys are older and in their decline. They all have one thing in common. They are still playing the game’. So it was premature of me to post that message (on social media about my retirement),” said the former Grey PE pupil. “My fiancée also still wants to see me play. She told me she had never seen me play. Once I started getting better, I wanted to start running again. I feel like my old self. It’s just about getting back on the court and getting that first rebound.”

When discussing the injury affected him, Prinsloo, a former South African youth international, felt the opportunity to end things on his terms had escaped.

“A lot of things went through my mind. I knew the time would come when I had to retire from the game, but not like this. Getting the news from the doctor, I cried and asked: why Lord, why? Why now? I still have a lot to give as a player. There were just a lot of questions,” said Prinsloo, a three-time University Sport South Africa (USSA) champion with the Vaal University of Technology.

With Prinsloo set to hit the court, his first port of call is a possible return to Mozambique, where he will have the opportunity to reunite with Ferroviario de Nacala.

“I might go to Mozambique either at the end of February or the beginning of March. They called me to find out if I would be available to play in the Mozambique league. There is a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Prinsloo, who described his experience when he first played in the Southern African country.

“They have a physical approach to the game, but there is also something different about Mozambican basketball. It’s the fans! The fans love basketball, and they love their teams to bits. It’s beautiful to witness.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reece 08 (@reece_prinsloo)

The former Soweto Panthers player looks forward to his potential return to Mozambique, where the game is of a high standard. While Prinsloo is eager to put his body on the line against the best players, he notes there will be butterflies in his first game.

“There are a lot of nerves and excitement as well. There is pressure because playing in Mozambique would mean I am re-establishing myself. Also, in South Africa in the JBL, I want to do the same when I play for my team, MBB,” said Prinsloo.

On the South African game, Prinsloo feels the state of basketball is lamentable. It is well-documented that South African basketball administrators have, for the most part, treated players poorly, especially the BNL.

Prinsloo, who won three straight league titles with the Egoli Magic acknowledged the league preys on the desperation of players. The league has also never taken kindly to criticism.

“What has been said before (about the league) is true. I also stand by those players who have spoken out in the past. The league has lost a lot of great quality players. Probably the best players in the country,” said Prinsloo, whose love for the game has seen him remain in the BNL. “I would say I’m still playing because of passion. That is why I am still playing in the league. It’s the passion that’s kept me playing in the BNL. The quotes and statements made in the past (about the BNL) are not off the mark. The situation is probably the same today, where some players are still misled in signing of their contracts.”

Prinsloo also added: “The league was also happy to put poor quality players on TV, just for the sake of having an operational league.”

According to Prinsloo, a solution would be for players to show a more united front and be more knowledgeable concerning matters of this nature.

“There is only one answer for that, education! Getting educated about this kind of (contractual) issue is imperative. I know it’s hard to access education on the business side of basketball. There are problems like funding and players coming from hard circumstances,” said Prinsloo, who has played in the BNL since 2013.

Focusing on his career so far, Prinsloo is one of the most accomplished players in the BNL. His resume is laden with winner medals from his time with the Panthers to his current team Egoli.

“Winning the title with Panthers was great and I was content. Then I joined Egoli in 2019 and we went on to win four championship runs… it was spectacular! It just rolls nicely off the tongue,” said Prinsloo, who holds the distinct privilege of being the first player to notch a triple-double in the BNL.

Prinsloo has had the honour of representing South Africa at the highest level. Some of his best moments in the national team involved being mentored by senior player, Lindokuhle Sibankulu. “Getting to rub shoulders with Lindo Sibankulu from KZN, was one of my best moments. He was my personal mentor when I came to the national team as rookie,” said Prinsloo.

Reflecting on his best game in the green and gold, Prinsloo spoke fondly of the 2015 season of the All Africa Games qualifiers in Zimbabwe. “My best game was against Zimbabwe where I scored 17 points and 15 rebounds. We lost that game and the opportunity to qualify. I think it was also the first time I ever cried in a game.”

The game has brought a lot of joy and tears for Prinsloo. After briefly experiencing what it feels like to have basketball taken away from him, he now has a second chance. There will be questions about his health and only his mind and body will provide the answers. Only time can tell if he will be able to end things on his own terms.

Reece ‘The Beast’ ready to re-establish himself Read More »

Kalala takes his game to new heights

Leave a Comment

A LATE bloomer! That is one way of describing Aristote Kalala’s arrival to basketball. Despite his late start to the game, a strong work ethic unlocked his potential and opened new doors for the 21-year-old, who came to South Africa as a refugee many years ago.

Kalala, who recently started community college in the United States has no recollection of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country of his birth. His earliest memory is arriving in South Africa as a four-year-old with his family and journeying to Cape Town. The Mother City would be where the basketball journey for Kalala would begin.

“The only memory I have is arriving in Joburg and the train ride to Cape Town. Apart from that, I do not remember much,” said Lubumbashi-born Kalala, speaking via Zoom last Friday.

He also spoke briefly about his time in South Africa. “My life in South Africa was good. That is home for me. I had a few challenges here and there because I was a refugee, but it did not stop me from working towards my dreams.”

While he does not recall much from his early days, Kalala’s journey to playing basketball has been a fascinating one. For starters, the former Camps Bay High School pupil never took a liking to the game. Football was his preferred choice as a scholar. Unfortunately, the quotas for football at the time were full, meaning Kalala had to choose another sport.

“I started basketball around 2017 at the age of sixteen. To tell you the truth, I never liked basketball at first. I wanted to play football, but the spaces in our school team reached capacity, so I switched to basketball,” said Kalala, who explained what changed his mind about the game. “There was one match that I grabbed 18 rebounds. The excitement of that made me come back to practice. Since that moment, I fell in love with the sport.”

The decision would pay dividends for the 6ft7 player as he enjoyed a meteoric rise. From the year he started playing basketball, Kalala earned provincial colours, and in his second year, he was champion for the Western Cape in the Interprovincial Tournament.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Aristote Kalala (@aristotekalala)

Kalala also realised that he could play at a higher level and that the game could take him places.

“That same year (2017), I went on to play provincials and in 2018 as well. The first year we came fourth in the national tournament a year later we came first,” said Kalala, a former Trafalgar High School pupil. “After that, I realised I do have potential and felt like I could get somewhere with basketball. So, that’s when I started playing with whoever I could find on the court. I played against guys who were better than me. I also watched YouTube videos because I am more of a visual learner. I’ll either watch videos or sit on the side of the court and watch how other guys play the game.”

After completing high school, Kalala opted not go the university route. He spent two years honing his skill under the watchful eyes of Giovanni Freeman, a director at African Hoops for Hope, and Victor Shakineza, a former coach in the Pretoria basketball circuit. During the two year break, Kalala also had a stint in the Basketball National League (BNL), but his big break was when he left for Senegal to join the NBA Academy in the West African country.

“People like Giovanni Freeman helped me with shooting form because, at the time, it was not great. I also met Victor, who watched me play and told me, ‘you have the potential to play this game at a higher level’,” said Kalala, who reflected on his solitary BNL season with Western Cape Mountaineers. “That experience was amazing for me, playing against guys in South Africa. I learnt that there were guys in the country who really could play. It’s not Cape Town and Joburg that have talent. Guys in other parts of the country can play as well. So, it was a great experience for me.”

The move to Senegal last year came as a surprise for Kalala. He says Frank Traore, who had been tracking him, was impressed with what he had seen.

“For me, it was something unexpected . I continued working on my game during the off-season. Then I was told that there was interest in me from the NBA Academy because I showed great potential. I was excited about that. I met coach Frank from the academy who confirmed that I do have potential to get to the next level, but it was up to me to grab it,” said Kalala, who experienced a reality check in West Africa. “When I got the opportunity to attend the academy, in my mind, I thought I was going to be the tallest person there. Instead, I went from being the biggest guy that everybody knew to the smallest. Everyone at the academy was humongous and super athletic.”

Third Picture — **Aristote Kalala,right, with Angola legend Carlos Morais**

From that point, Kalala had to re-evaluate his position on the court.

“I knew my role had to change from being an inside player to playing on the perimeter. The change meant I had to develop a three-point shot. My three-point shot was always there, but it was not consistent. So, I had to work on it because I was now the shorter guy,” said Kalala, who went through rigorous training.

“My biggest takeaway from that experience is how they care for you at the academy. Regardless of where you are from, they treat you with dignity. It’s a loving environment. The coaches push you to your maximum and out of your comfort zone. I did not know that I was in my comfort zone until I got there. I would question the coaches and ask why they were so hard on me and not other players? They explained that those players are going to high school, and I am going to college.”

Kalala’s coaches were right to push and were not off the mark about his potential. The youngster recently earned a scholarship to Ranger College, a junior school in Texas.

The feeling of being in the US is still unreal to him, but he aims to make the most of this golden opportunity.

“Sometimes I wake up and ask myself: ‘am I really in the States?’. I am close to getting a D1 offer. If I perform well, there is a chance for me to enter the NBA draft. It’s happened in a short space of time, so I am still processing it,” said Kalala, who is majoring in general studies, but hopes to still pursue film and media, academically. “I am definitely grateful to be in this position. There are a lot of guys back home who are trying to be here. So, for me to be in this position, I am grateful.”

Kalala’s story truly reflects that it does not matter what road you travelled. When opportunity meets preparation, even the sky is no longer the limit. We will be watching the space as he climbs to even greater heights.

Kalala takes his game to new heights Read More »

Lopez on a mission to put Beira structures back on track

1 Comment

FERROVIARIO da Beira and their Spanish coach Luis Lopez Hernandez have enjoyed a reunion that has brought about good tidings for the club located in central Mozambique.

While the 55-year-old Spaniard’s second coming to the Beira-based club had to do with matters related to the basketball court, there was also a more sentimental reason for Lopez’s decision to return to Mozambique.

“There were a couple of things. Firstly, my family. My wife was born in Mozambique. My daughter, who is almost four, was born in Spain, and she has never been to Mozambique. So, I wanted her to connect with her family there. This is an opportunity for my wife and daughter to experience the country,” said Lopez speaking from the Canary Islands via Zoom, last Wednesday.

The second reason for Lopez, who led the Locomotivas to two national championships in 2012 and 2014, was the opportunity to work again with the current club president Valdemar Oliviera.

For some time, Beira’s playing structures had gone off the rails. Oliviera, who returned to the club’s presidency via election was on a mission to put them back on track. Returning to a familiar leadership and the challenge of a renewal project was enough to entice Lopez to get on board.

“Boaventura (Mahave), the president in 2019, called me to come back but I was in two minds at the time. Then an election happened, which Valdemar won. That made my decision easy because I had worked with him before,” said Lopez. “So the first reason to return was for my family. The other was so I could work with Valdemar again. When I signed in 2020, it gave us the chance to resume our discussion about our project, involving the senior teams and the lower structures as well.”

Lopez added that before he left Ferroviario da Beira in 2015, they were teeming with players in the male and female teams. He now looks forward to being part of reviving the Beira player pipeline.

“We had 450 players in our club. From junior boys and girls, the cadets and mini-basket. We had many children playing basketball. When I left, somehow it got lost. So when the president came back to the club, I knew he wanted to revive the structures that were present six-seven years ago,” said Lopez, who has been coaching since the age of 18.

Lopez, who has worked with teams that have representation at all levels was also impressed that some players from the junior setup had made their way to the Beira senior squad.

“Basketball is my life. When I worked in Spain, I coached clubs that have all teams. I enjoy helping players develop,” said the experienced Lopez, who led Beira to another national title last year. “When I came back (to Beira), I recognised three players in the first team, who come through the ranks. They were around 12-years-old when I arrived in 2011. Now they are in their early twenties, and I am coaching them. That is something that makes me proud.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luis López Hernández (@luislopezcoach)

While the long-term vision for Beira is still in its infancy, the Mozambican club’s senior men’s team have grown wings and qualified for the second edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Lopez oversaw Beira’s impressive qualifying run in the Zonal and Elite 16 Division East tournaments, held in South Africa between October and December. Their only blip was against Tigers in the Zonal qualifiers. Beira would avenge that defeat in the semi-final of the Elite 16 as the Mozambican club finished that leg unbeaten.

Speaking about the qualifying experience, Lopez says he had introduced some changes to how the team approached the game.

“I am happy with our team because we improved a lot. Our first official practice was in July. I could not join the team earlier because of the pandemic. So, I sent many exercise videos to prepare the team. I also received daily feedback from the assistant coaches,” said Lopez, who elaborated on the training program. “We started with a physical program in March last year. Then we moved to improve the players’ skillsets and shooting technique. When I arrived in July, we worked on our tactical approach.”

He added, “I was surprised because at how the team adapted to a new way of playing the game, especially when we started our journey in Mozambique. It’s not easy for players to change a philosophy or style that they have known all their life. In the end, we improved a lot, which we showed in Johannesburg by how we moved and shared the ball.”

Beira’s preparation for the BAL extravaganza started in earnest last week. Unfortunately, their practices have been without their coach Lopez and the team’s key import players in American point guard Will Perry and Canadian guard and forward Jermel Kennedy.

Lopez, who was still resolving his visa matters, expects Perry and Kennedy back for the national championships in February.

“The team started together last week, without myself and the two foreign players. We are getting ready for the national championships that start in February and finish in March. That will be our preparation (for the BAL). Hopefully Will and Jermel will be back for the nationals,” said Lopez, who expects to bolster the squad with two new players for the BAL tournament taking place in Dakar, Senegal (March 5-15), Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19) and Kigali, Rwanda (May 21-28).

“We want to sign two other players from the continent to complete our team for the BAL. One of them must be able to play at the five position. Also we need someone who can operate outside, a player for the three and four position,” said Lopez, who emphasised what his team required. “We need size. We are not a tall team. The two players we need to sign must be a five and the other a perimeter player, but tall. They must also be players that fit our style of play.”

On the expectations at the BAL tournament, Lopez approached the question with a touch of realism.

“Our goal or expectations are always the same. Every team wants to win, but there can only be one victor at the end. My only concern is that we do our best. That is our goal. We want to do our best every day and in every game,” concluded Lopez.

We have already gotten a glimpse of Beira at their best. It’s hard to find fault with their brand of basketball. With new additions to the team, they can only get better. They may not have the favourites tag, but given how Beira play, they can easily determine how far they go in the BAL tournament.

Lopez on a mission to put Beira structures back on track Read More »

Omondi sharpening Cobra’s fangs ahead of the BAL

Leave a Comment

SOUTH Sudan’s Cobra Sports Club have risen from their pit and will use the next two months to patiently prepare to strike when they make their debut in the second season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL).

Cobra’s dream feat which was achieved in December during the Elite 16 Division East qualifying tournament in Johannesburg, South Africa, helped enhance South Sudan’s growing basketball reputation. The club’s Kenya-born coach John Omondi concurred with the sentiment and also felt qualifying for the BAL has enhanced his reputation as well.

“Qualifying (for the BAL) is a big thing for us. It has put South Sudan on the map. That is where they belong,” said Omondi speaking via Zoom from his South Sudan base on Monday. “For myself, it was a breakthrough because it was my first international assignment. Helping the team qualify for this tournament is a big milestone for my career and CV.”

While Omondi’s name will shine bright for this historic achievement in South Sudanese basketball, he says he did not solely join the club to help them qualify for the BAL. He wants to help nurture young and untapped talent in that country.

“Looking at South Sudan from a basketball perspective, they have a lot of height. They have players all over playing basketball at a high level. Right now, the potential is coming to the fore,” said Omondi, who credited the involvement of former NBA player and now South Sudan Basketball Federation president Luol Deng.

“The president realised the need to return home and help improve the structures. Through his leadership, there have been changes. He has used his time to make sure the national team is vibrant. He also supported a number of the local leagues.

Omondi raved about working with players from South Sudan while in Uganda, so when Cobra came with their offer, it was a no brainer. The opportunity to pique his curiosity about players from that part of the world had arrived.

“At my previous team in Uganda, I worked with several South Sudan players. Now I am happy to have the chance to find out what makes these players great. Cobra has given me an opportunity to see and understand them,” said Omondi. “There is a lot of height here, and some of the players don’t understand how important that is in basketball. Realising that this is a hub of height, we must tap into it and get the best out of it.”

On the playing front, qualifying for the 12-team BAL tournament was initially a toll order for Cobra, who appointed Omondi a month (September) before the zonal qualifiers, meaning he had little time to acquaint himself with the team. The South Sudanese club suffered defeats against Burundi’s New Star (67-46) and Kenya’s Ulinzi Warriors (47-53), but good fortune found Cobra as they received a wild card entry into the Elite 16.

Cobra did not waste their second chance in the final qualifying tournament and left South Africa with a 2-2 record. After losing their opening group game against Mozambique’s Ferroviario Da Beira (76-46), Cobra would avenge their defeats to Ulinzi and New Star.

In their second group stage match, Cobra marched to a 77-67 win over the Kenyan club and secured their qualification for the next round. In the semi-final against New Star, they had to sweat for their two-point victory (78-76).

Cobra would eventually lose the dead-rubber final game (95-61) against the undefeated Beira. It did not matter, as the men from South Sudan had achieved their mission at the second time of asking.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Big Tip Off (@the_bto_sports)

Omondi reflected on the degree of difficulty that the qualifying process presented. He pointed out that his team jumped through a hoop or two to qualify for the tournament that will tip off in Dakar, Senegal (March 5-15) and then move to Cairo, Egypt (April 9-19) and finally Kigali, Rwanda (May 21-28).

“When I took on this assignment, I knew that we had a short time to get this group of players ready. When we arrived in Tanzania, we had to figure out what we could do as a team. I knew we were going to face tough competition,” said Omondi, who coached Ndejje University in Uganda before joining Cobra.

“So many things changed in Tanzania. The fixtures changed overnight, so all the planning and scouting we did fell out the window. The only team in the original group was Ulinzi. We did not know anything about New Star. So, we did not get the desired outcome in the first round.”

In the Elite 16, Omondi knew what Cobra would be up against, and his preparation bore fruit.

“For the second round, we studied Ulinzi and New Star. The results against those two teams were a major milestone for us. We did good background check on them. We knew what they were capable of, and we got the results when it mattered most,” said Omondi.

With the BAL tournament two months away, high on Omondi’s list of priorities is to retain the services of centre Tom Wamukota and shooting guard Dieudonne Ndizeye, who both played for Rwanda club Patriots in the inaugural tournament.

The teammates from Kenya and Rwanda were masterstroke additions for Cobra’s successful Elite 16 campaign.

“Tom Wamukota did a good job for us. We don’t want to lose him. We can’t afford to let him go. Didier is another vital inclusion, a solid player. So, we intend to maintain them,” said Omondi, whose club has two more import slots to fill.

“We have two slots that we want to make use of, but that is subject to approval by management. I do have ideas on who we should bring to the team. Management also might have their view on that issue. I will have to accept that.”

He added: “Looking back, one of the challenges we had was at the guard position. We need a mature point guard who can control the game for us and a forward who can help lessen Wamukota’s workload.”

One question Cobra will have to answer when the BAL tournament tips off is, how far will they go? In addressing the question, Omondi was not shy to state his ambition for the team.

“I have tried to study the BAL format. There are things I have heard and those I am yet to learn. The longer we stay (in the competition), the better it is for us. Also, the kind of things we add to help improve the team must ensure we stay in the tournament for as long as possible. So, we are looking at something like the semis if not the final,” concluded Omondi.

By taking advantage of the luck presented to them, Cobra did well to put South Sudan on the map but to have a dream run at the BAL tournament, they will have to dot their i’s and cross their t’s as the other 11 teams will only bring their A-game.

Omondi sharpening Cobra’s fangs ahead of the BAL Read More »

Moseya has his sights set on World Cup

Leave a Comment

WHEN Arnold Moseya, in his youth, decided to swap bouncing a basketball for the high-pressure job of being a referee, it was the perfect choice as the doors of the world would later open and lead to him officiating on some of the biggest stages.

Moseya, who began officiating in 2004, reflected on how a turn of events during a high school tournament in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, fortuitously led to him picking up the whistle.

“Interesting story. During my time in high school, I was not a great player, although I made it to the first team. Anyway, there was a tournament where each team had to come with a referee. My high school didn’t bring one. So, I had to jump in, and that’s where my journey began,” said Moseya, who attended Carter High School in Pietermaritzburg.

“Surprisingly, I also refereed in the final of that tournament. From there, my interest grew, and when I started varsity, I continued officiating games.”

Since those early days, Moseya, who received his FIBA accreditation in 2011, has grown in stature. While officiating games in the South African circuit, he lauded the role played by well known South African basketball officials like Charles Saunders and Charles Forster for moulding and setting him on his present trajectory.

“South Africa had some top officials back in the day. I think we had about four internationally recognised referees. So, there was always leadership at that level. The likes of Charles Saunders and Charles Forster helped guide me to where I am now,” said Moseya.

The 34-year-old has travelled the world and officiated at major FIBA competitions. While it may look exciting from the outside, he highlighted certain challenges that he has had to navigate.

“The difficult part is travelling for competitions. This summer there have been a lot of competitions. The Basketball Africa League (BAL), World Cup qualifiers, the youth World Cup and right now, the BAL qualifiers are taking place,” said Moseya, who also works for alcohol beverage company Distel.

“It’s hard trying to balance that out with family and a full-time job. You have to get time off from work and discuss who takes my child to school because you will be away for two weeks. Between 2019 and now, I have been away for close to 90 days. So, it can be a tough schedule.”

Yes, the job does come with some personal sacrifices, but there are also perks and enriching experiences. While on international assignments, Moseya has struck up new friendships and learnt about different cultures. And luckily most of his travel expenses are covered by tournament organisers.

“There are things I enjoy about the job. You get to travel for free. Imagine travelling the whole world and not paying a cent. I have visited many countries and experienced different cultures. It is something I have come to appreciate and respect,” said Moseya. “I have made many friends from all over the world. That has been an absolute joy for me. The people you meet and the places you get to visit. It’s hard to quantify something like that.”

Reflecting on some of the tournaments he has officiated in, Moseya expressed gratitude for the opportunity to call games on the continental and world stage. While he has some big competitions under his belt, there are two other major tournaments that he has sights set on.

“I have had the privilege and honour of refereeing the Paralympics in Rio and Wheelchair World Cup in Germany. I recently officiated at the Under Nineteen World Cup in Latvia. On the continent (Africa), I officiated at the BAL tournament (Rwanda) and AfroBasket,” said Moseya, an alumnus of the Durban University of Technology.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far, one which I do not have the words to describe. There are other tournaments that I would like to be a part of in the future: the FIBA World Cup and Olympic Games. That would be awesome.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Big Tip Off (@the_bto_sports)

When he is not ensuring that players are on their best behaviour on the court, Moseya engages in basketball literature and views footage from previous games as a way of improving as an official.

“It requires a lot of work. You have to read the rulebook and spend hours watching games. You guys probably watch games for the slam dunks and three-point shooting. I watch games from a technical viewpoint,” said Moseya. “I have to check if the player is dribbling the right way, has a player screened correctly, and when a team calls a certain play, how will it impact the game? So it’s putting in hours of viewing footage and educating myself.”

There is also a fitness aspect that Moseya addressed. He pointed out match officials like players have to maintain their fitness levels to keep up with the play on the court.

“You have to take of your body. I go to the gym almost every day. You have to look like an athlete and think like one as well. A referee is an athlete. For example, when a player runs a fast break, guess what? You have to keep up. So it’s important to stay in shape,” said Moseya.

Also part and parcel of the job is managing difficult players during games, something Moseya is well versed. He points out that big-name individuals can be tricky to manage because of the status they enjoy in the game.

“There are a lot of difficult players. Every team has one. The star players can be difficult because they are famous and everyone has come to watch them. When they feel the referee has made the incorrect decision, it can be a tricky situation,” said Moseya. “It would be unfair to point out a specific player. If you do your job well as a referee, they will respect you.”

In his decade as an official, Moseya feels the job has helped to develop him into a well-rounded individual.

“I think refereeing has taught me a lot of things. It has taught me how to be calm, relaxed and analyse situations. Analysis especially! Officiating has taught me how to weigh situations better. Because of that, I am a better person,” concluded Moseya.

*This interview was conducted during the Elite 16 Division East qualifiers held in Johannesburg in December.

Moseya has his sights set on World Cup Read More »

Craig standing tall as road to Mercer awaits

2 Comments

Craig’s game blossomed in the spring

SOUTH African-born centre, David Craig has taken a gigantic leap in his playing career by committing himself to NCAA Division I University team, Mercer Bears in the United States.

While the ink has dried on the letter of intent Craig signed two weeks ago to join Georgia-based Bears, he reflected on a journey that brought its fair share of pain and disappointment.

The 7ft1 former St Benedict’s pupil has lingering memories of a debilitating ailment on both knees which almost halted his progress in his early teens. Then there was also the disappointment of not making a junior NBA team and losing an inter-provincial final in South Africa. This was three years before he joined the all-boys McCallie School in Tennessee.

“Honestly, it’s almost like I have woken up from a very long sleep. It’s like you know what has happened, but you don’t feel it yet. I still remember being that kid who got cut from a junior NBA team. I remember it like it was yesterday playing for Gauteng in an inter-provincial in twenty-sixteen and losing to the Western Cape in the final,” said the colossal Craig, who hails from Ekurhuleni. “Those things are fresh in my head, but I just signed a division one letter of intent. It’s just a relieving feeling knowing that my parents can watch their child play in a division one school in America and not have to pay a single cent for it.”

Craig, who was 14-years-old when he experienced trouble with his knees, says it affected his mobility and relationship with food.

“I had this thing called Osgood Schlatter Syndrome. It meant that I had a lot of swelling around the joints of my knees. They were sensitive to the point that when I pressed my finger on either knee, it hurt,” continued Craig. “It was destructive and impacted everything I did, from the way I walked to the way I ran. Also, when I was not playing, I would sit at home and eat as a way of filling that need for stimulation.”

Following a consultation with a doctor, the prescribed treatment for Craig’s knees was rest. For the centre, the idea of waiting to heal did not sit well with him, and he embarked on a self-driven recovery program.

“My doctor told me the best way to fix this was if I rested, but I was not willing to do that. It took me quite a while to realise that I could conquer this and didn’t need to focus only on rest. I needed to work on my diet and my body. That was the beginning of all this, and truly understanding the meaning of hard work,” said Craig.

The work the big man put in to get his knees right and withstand the rigours of basketball paid off, and with the help of his parents, he earned a scholarship to attend McCallie.

“When I turned 15 and at about six foot seven, my parents saw that I was talented. I worked hard. I was ahead of other players in my age group at the time. So their thought process was, we do not want you to wait for an opportunity to come,” said Craig, who is in his final year at McCallie. “Coming from South Africa, the typical route to the US is through BWB (Basketball Without Borders). While BWB would be a great opportunity, I did not want to rely solely on it, so we started to apply to schools and luckily, I got the financial aid I needed… And here I am.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by David Craig (@dave2tall_)

While leaving home for a different country can be challenging from a cultural and mental aspect, Craig says the advice he received from his former coach, Nompumelelo Ramatsoga was affirming and helped put his mind at ease.

“My high school coach from South Africa, coach Mpumi gave me the best advice as she has made that transition before. Coach Mpumi told me I needed to ready myself, try to learn from everything, and not to see the situation as a loss. She reminded me I had what it took, that I was a good player, and everything would work itself out. She has been right so far,” said Craig, who already knew he could overcome difficult hurdles.

The McCallie environment suited Craig as he was afforded the space and time to adapt to the culture of the school and also be up to speed with the physical demands of basketball in America.

“When I came to McCallie, it was a huge learning curve. It’s a prestigious school and houses athletes in different sporting codes. There is also an emphasis on academics. There were a lot of things I needed to adjust, and I got help with that. The coaches stuck with me. I had a lot of growing to do. Growing into my body. Getting my strength and coordination up. The coaches there ultimately knew I would be an investment,” said Craig, who has high ambition for his final season.

“I worked hard and improved throughout the years. Midway through my sophomore year, I was starting to make an impact on the team. In my junior year, I made it to the all-regional team. This year I am looking to win Mr Basketball Tennessee, which would be a great thing. So I am thankful for how much the coaches have invested in me.”

Craig pointed out that he was not high on the recruitment list of teams until his junior high school year. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic also threw a spanner in the works.

“I had just finished playing my sophomore season and getting ready to play in the Amateur Athletic Union (basketball). Then Covid hit, everything got shut down and I had to come home,” said Craig. “I did not get noticed until my junior high school season. That’s when realised I had to turn things up a notch because I was going to have one spring season to play in AAU Basketball where all the college coaches go (for scouting).”

It was during the Spring season that Craig’s game blossomed. Coaches who had slept on him took a second look, and the number of college suitors increased. Ultimately, it was the Gary Gray coached Bears who won the race to sign Craig, as they were intentional about having him on board from the start.

“I would say I blew up. I was improving but was not getting that recognition. Once my play improved, coaches would come back to watch me play and started to realise how good I was,” said Craig, who was pursued by the likes of Purdue and Georgia Tech amongst other colleges. “Ultimately, the thing about Mercer was that they were consistent and did not drag their feet. They were straightforward in letting me know I had something they could use and be effective in their system. So, that’s why I signed with them as early as I did.”

With one part of the dream achieved, Craig wants to strive for more and has his sights on playing in the NBA. To him, it does not matter how he gets there.

“… As far as I can remember, it’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA. I am going to pursue that. If it means I play elsewhere professionally first, then so be it. But the NBA is my end goal,” said Craig, who wants to inspire future generations with this ambition. “There has not been a South African player in the NBA. I know that I can do that. And it’s something that pushes me every day. It’s constantly on my mind. Ten years down the line I want kids to say a South African played in the NBA. I want to hear them saying ‘I want to be like him.’ That would be priceless for me. I definitely want to play in the NBA.”

There is no doubt that South Africa can produce world class basketball players. Our eyes and ears should be on Craig as he pursues his dream of playing in the NBA.

Craig standing tall as road to Mercer awaits Read More »

Swiss army knife Kennedy, the sharp point of Beira offence

1 Comment

Beira learnt lessons from loss to Tigers

BASKETBALL runs deep in Jermel Kennedy’s family. The influence of his kin is one of the main reasons he plays the game.

Community also played its part in providing the fertile ground for the Canada-born player to grow, spread his wings and further his ambition in the sport.

“Growing up, where I am from, basketball is popular. It’s something I enjoy doing. The city of Malton has a huge basketball culture. In a way it propelled me to achieve my dreams,” said Kennedy. “Also, basketball runs in the family. My mom played in high school and my older sister played as well. In fact, my older sister’s influence was what encouraged me to take on the sport. I used to watch her high school games. She was pretty good.”

The 32-year-old forward would go on to chart his own path as he learnt the ropes at Lincoln Alexander Secondary School and refined his game in the American college system. With a clear foundation laid and a physical growth spurt, the signs were there that he had the potential to be a good player.

“In my second year of high school, I grew taller and realised there was an opportunity there. I was probably one of the tallest players in my area or team and decently athletic. I was slowly developing, and people recognised that I had certain attributes that translated well,” said Kennedy, who had spells with two junior colleges in the United States before joining Division II college team, Lander Bearcats.

Kennedy says while he enjoyed his time at the South Carolina school, where he also graduated, he was far from the polished player that he is now.

“I liked what Lander offered me. It was perfect for me, a good fit. It was different. Although, in the beginning, I was more like a four or five and did not shoot very well. I was more like a get-out, run and dunk the ball kind of player, but I still had most of the tools I use now although I was more of an inside than outside player,” said Kennedy.

The road to the pro-ranks saw Kennedy return home to the Canadian National Basketball League (NBL). Although he was a high draft pick for the NBL, he did not see himself playing on home turf, as the league was relatively new and painted in a negative light by players who had participated in it.

“I took a year off and played in tournaments or basketball leagues. Anything basketball-related, I immersed myself into. I also wanted to be a part of the NBL draft (in 2013). So, to get there, I went to the combine,” said Kennedy, who landed at the Moncton Miracles. “I ended up getting drafted sixth, but I had no intention of playing in the NBL. Some friends and players did not have good experiences playing in it. The league was new at the time, so how they handled players was not professional. I used my high draft value as a way of marketing myself and leveraging a move overseas.”

In addition to realising his dream of playing abroad, Kennedy has also been a bit of a journeyman. Spain (CB Clavijo Logrono), Britain (Worcester Wolves), Portugal (ADO Basquetbol SAD Overanse), Canada (Guelph Nighthawks and Hamilton Honeybadgers), Argentina (Ferrocarril Oeste) and France (AS Kaysersberg, Besancon BCD and Toulouse Basket Club) have all been home to the Canadian player.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jermel Kennedy,BSc (@jermz30)

Mozambican club Ferroviario Da Beira, is where he now earns his keep. The Beira-based club is on a mission to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and was in South Africa three weeks ago, where they successfully progressed to the Elite 16.

Beira won their first two games against Matero Magic of Zambia (81-51) and Roche-Bois Warriors of Mauritius (132-36) and crumbled in the final minutes against hosts, Cape Town Tigers (86-85) in a game the Mozambican’s dominated.

Reflecting on the qualifiers, especially in the final game, Kennedy says it was a good thing that they lost the game against the Tigers. In his opinion, it provided Beira with some teachable moments that will come in handy at the Elite 16 in December.

“I would say our biggest plus in that tournament was losing that game. It made us aware of certain things we had not noticed. We are not going to waltz into games and expect to win,” said Kennedy. “We were leading that game, and we were dominating. There were little things that we slept on. Little things like turnovers, not finishing easy plays, getting back on defence and rebounding. There are so many takeaways. It sucks when you have to understand that lesson through a loss. So, the loss provided those lessons.”

Despite the loss, Kennedy’s scoring feats for Beira was the highlight on the court during the regional qualifiers held at the University of Johannesburg Soweto Campus. In the opener against Matero, he dropped 16 points and in the second game against Warriors he again scored 16 points. In the loss to the Tigers, Kennedy did not disappoint as he notched double figures scoring 22 points. The Canadian has so far shown that he has a high basketball IQ in terms of scoring. His stats in the game against Tigers speak to this fact. He was 9/12 in field goals and was 4/5 from behind the arc.

Kennedy has shown that he is a proven scorer for Beira. He also sees himself as an all-around player and does what the team requires of him.

I am like a Swiss army knife. There are a lot of things I do on the court. I don’t do everything super amazing, but I do everything good. I am like the glue guy, but my role in this team is different. The coach expects me to be more aggressive, rebound, drive in, kick out and create for the team. I try to do that at a high level as much as possible,” concluded Kennedy.

On his experience with his new teammates, Kennedy says the process has been seamless as he has joined a good team with quality players that understand basketball. He feels this group of players will turn it up a level for the club when the Elite 16 tournament begins.

“It’s way easier than people make it out to be. These guys are smart players and easy to play with. Our system is not that difficult, it’s actually quite easy.” said the new Beira recruit. “We are definitely going to turn the intensity up this month as the Elite 16 approaches. Hopefully we are able to resolve the issues we have identified.”

The Elite 16 will require a different attitude from Beira and Kennedy. There has been introspection, and moving forward, the Mozambican team will have to dot their i’s and cross their t’s, as the road to the BAL tournament will not get any easier. Beira will need Kennedy and his teammates to step up and play consistently at an elite level.

Swiss army knife Kennedy, the sharp point of Beira offence Read More »

Beira and Perry are a good fit for BAL quest

1 Comment

Beira’s ambition intrigued Perry

FOR most basketball players who ply their trade in overseas leagues, signing long-term contracts is a rarity. In most cases bouncing from one country to another is the norm for most ballers. While the scenario could be unsettling for some players, others choose to embrace the challenge.

The latter applies to American-born point guard William Perry, who now calls Mozambique where he plays for one of the Southern African country’s most famous club, Ferroviario Da Beira, home.

Before wearing the white and green striped vest of Ferroviario, Perry played for CB Zamora (Spain), ADO Basquetbal SAD Ovarense (Portugal) and Akademiks Bulteks 99 Plovdiv (Bulgaria). After another stint in Spain playing for CD Estela Cantabria, the African continent came calling.

Perry, who hails from North Carolina says he has enjoyed traversing Europe, as it has allowed him to experience different cultures.

“I enjoyed it. I like travelling, meeting new people and doing what is best for my career. If it means I experience a little anxiety in the summertime about my next move, it’s okay. I can deal with it,” said the 28-year-old, who goes by the shortened version of his name, Will. “I would say I enjoy that aspect of living out of a suitcase. Of course it’s not as comfortable as playing for a team for five years, but I would not have it any other way.”

The former Lenoir-Rhyne University player says having the chance to be away from home to pursue his basketball dreams helped him mature as a person.

“I have learnt a lot about myself as a person. I found myself and became a man since playing overseas. To live on my own, travelling, making my own decisions and all that stuff. There are some things I had already been doing during my college days, like living by myself,” said Perry. “It was little uncomfortable when you come to a new place on your own. I learnt who I am as a man, what I like to do and don’t like and how to work with others.”

In terms of achievement, Perry says that playing in Portugal and helping Ferroviario in their mission qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) are some career highlights.

“I really joined my time in Portugal. In my second year over there, we made the final four. It was an amazing experience. I had a good season. That propelled my career,” said Perry. “It’s hard to only pick one highlight. I would say what I am doing now, trying to qualify for the BAL, to play in the Basketball Africa League would be the biggest highlight of my career.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Will Perry (@willperry0)

Perry did have some questions before nailing his colours to the Beira mast. Is the club ambitious, and do they have the right pieces to make it to the BAL?

“My first thought was, do we have a chance to make it to the BAL? Is the club serious? Coming to Africa, you want the opportunity to play at the BAL. The moment I learnt the club was serious, I was on board,” said Perry.

Ferroviario made it to the Elite 16 of the BAL qualifiers after finishing second in the regional stages held at the University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, two weeks ago. Led by the playmaking of Perry, the Mozambican’s, finished with a 2-1 record, beating Matero Magic (Zambia) and Roche-Bois Warriors (Mauritius). They would lose a nail-biter against the Cape Town Tigers.

Perry was instrumental for Ferroviario in the opening game against Matero, scoring 12 points and making 10 assists as the Mozambican club strolled to an 81-51 victory. He was impactful in the final game against the Tigers scoring 18 points in Ferroviario’s 86-85 loss.

The experience of playing in the qualifiers was an enjoyable one for Perry, as he felt he fit in well with the Beira club’s setup.

“It was a great experience, I love my team, and I like my coach. In the qualifiers, we lost one game at the end, which was disappointing. I feel we should have won,” said Perry. “We qualified, which was our goal, and we have moved forward.”

Perry picked up some lessons from the qualifiers in Johannesburg and recognised that there were points in the final game where he could have done better. With the Elite 16 looming in December, it gives Perry ample time to rectify the issues he has identified.

“I think I need to do better with the clock management. Closer to the end of the game (against Tigers), I could have done better. I made some silly mistakes, took a bad shot or two. Those are the things I need to work on to get better,” said Perry. “As a team, I think we need to lock in at the end a little more. Do the little things better for us to win. I am confident in this team. We are good and we work well together.”

Perry believes he chose the best city and team to play his basketball on the continent. The floor general says he has already warmed up to the city and can feel a togetherness. He opined that the people of Beira are behind the club and its quest to clinch a spot in the BAL tournament.

“If you ever go to Beira, you’ll see they are really supportive of the club. They are in a great city. The people love the club. They know basketball and love it. They are passionate and want to win,” said Perry. “Estamos Juntos is a great phrase to use. Hopefully, it catches on. It means we are together. Everyone, from players, coaches and fans. We are together.”

Beira and Perry are a good fit for BAL quest Read More »

Author name: Manyehlisa Lehohla