Why KPA remain the powerhouse of basketball in Kenya

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) basketball teams have established themselves as basketball power-houses not only in Kenya but also in the region and Africa at large, especially the women's side.

Both clubs have dominated the Kenyan Premier League in the last six years, a dominance they continued in the 2023 season.

KPA ladies team has excelled both locally and internationally, capped with their perennial participation in continental championships including the Africa Women Basketball League and FIBA Zone Five.

The team under long serving head coach Anthony Ojukwu has already had a decorated 2023 calendar. In June, the Dockers started by defending the Premier League title after defeating Zetech Sparks in the women’s final as their male counterparts defended the gong by defeating Equity Dumas.

In November, KPA ladies made easy work of rivals Rwanda Energy Group (REG) in the final of the Africa Women Basketball League (AWBL) Zone Five qualifiers to lift the Zone Five title the in Kigali, Rwanda.

In December, KPA went to Alexandria, Egypt with the aim of making history during the inaugural of Africa Women Basketball League previously known as Africa Women Club Championship.

They indeed made history by winning silver as they qualified for the final and had a podium finish for the first time at the continental level.

In the last six seasons, KPA men’s side have won the league title five times including three in a row, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022 and 2023.

The KPA basketball family knows what makes them tick in the sport. KPA ladies team assistant coach Brenda Angeshi who also played for the team in her prime says lays it bare.

“Hard work and team work. Being a team with players spread out across the country, which is Mombasa, Nairobi and Kisumu it takes a lot of effort to win games, even the local league. The players we have are those who play from the heart. They work so hard and with their talent, our work as coaches becomes easier,” Angeshi said.

Former team manager Chris Ogutu says the main reason for their dominance is investing in the right players.

“The main reason we have been dominating the League is because we have maintained a good crop of players who are committed to the work ethic we expect them to put in. Majority of the time they train individually and it takes a lot of discipline to do that.

“When the team assembles for an assignment, they are well taken care of and that motivates them to perform well. The assurance of participation in the international assignments when they qualify is a key driver in building teamwork towards one common goal,” explained the TM.

“We also have a very experienced technical team that involved in developing the individual talents. The support from management in terms of funding plays a major role in the team's achievements,” Oguto narrated.

 His sentiments were echoed by KPA men’s team head coach Sammy Kiki.

“It is all about the hard work, dedication, desire and commitment we put in training. The technical bench also contributes immensely.  The type of training we conduct is probably incomparable with what our peers are doing locally, without forgetting the great support we get from our management.

“I also believe a team with one or two veterans is better placed to compete, as they lead the young players and put the team together,” Kiki said.

On his part, City Thunder assistant head coach Sadat Gaya attributes KPA’s success to strong technical bench.

“KPA success has to start and end from their hall of fame – headed by their retired Team Manager Ogutu. He has been doing great recruitments since he retired from the court. Coach Ojukwu, another member of their hall of fame has brilliant mind. Such is Mike Opel and Sammy Kiki.

“Both teams have always had a core and they find ways of incorporating other youngsters to the team. Their financial muscle also plays a key role in implementing the costly plans they do every season, ” Gaya said.