Ulinzi Warriors skipper Washika can’t wait for the big tip-off

Kamariki Dennis, basketball writer

Ulinzi Warriors captain John Washika can’t wait for the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) league to resume.

Like most associations the basketball federation is awaiting a directive from the Sports Ministry on the resumption of sports.

However Washika insists that despite lack of action, his team mates are all busy serving the nation in their capacity as soldiers.

“Players went back to their primary role – soldiers first – till things open up again and for the five civilians that we have are all doing great and they are working. We are great, none of them has been laid off,” Washika said.

The reigning champions who’ve won the gong nine times will be aiming for another roaring run when action resumes and Washikla admits that  it has been a challenge trying to keep fit through individual training.

 “We have been doing individual workouts but it’s not that effective like training together as a team. We hope a solution is found soon and things go back to normal. We start preparing for Basketball Africa League (BAL) and defending the title,” Washika said.

Last term Ulinzi won the league after defeating Thunder 3-1 in five-game series final playoffs after topping the regular league with 43 points having lost only one match.

The soldiers who put to an end Kenya Ports Authority (KPA)’s dominance in the domestic league after the Dockers won the league three consecutive times (2016, 2017 and 2018) will be representing the country in the BAL championship which was created last year after abolishment of Africa Zone Five Championship for men.