Owino explains his resignation as Lionesses coach

Dennis Kamariki basketball writer

Ronnie Owino, the immediate former head coach of the national women’s basketball team Lionesses says the desire to focus on ‘personal projects’ made him resign from the job.

Owino bowed out of the national set up after more than 30 years of association with the national squads paving the way for the appointment for the 53-year-old George Mayienga.

“It reaches a point when one wants to do other things and that’s what exactly happened to me. I told the federation I have personal projects I am dealing with and I wasn’t ready for selection,” he explained.

At the same time Owino has hailed the federation for selection of a new technical bench led by Mayienga saying they have all it takes to take the team to the next level.

“Mayienga is a very experienced coach with vast experience, he has won the premier league, and he has won national school games among others. Coach Opel, Ochieng and Ouma are very experienced coaches too as they have been in the game for a very long time,” he added.

However, Owino has warned the new bench to be aware of the challenges ahead noting that ‘it’s not easy’.

“My advice to the new coaches in the upcoming games is that it’s never easy but if they prepare well they will be able to deliver.”

Last week the KBF appointed a new technical bench as they named the provisional squad for the 2021 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers.

The team will report to camp at the Nyayo Stadium Gymnasium on May 1st to start preparations for the 2021 FIBA Women’s AfroBasket Zone Five Qualifiers in July.

The last time Lionesses played in the prestigious continental tournament was in 2019 in Dakar Senegal where they finished at a dismal position 11 out of the 12 teams that participated.