Kenya Deaf Basketballers ‘King Deaf’ might just get a walk over resulting to an automatic ticket to represent Africa in the 2013 Paralympics’ that will be staged in Budapest, Hungary. This comes after Nigeria the other team which is supposed to fight for the sole slot is yet to arrive in the country for the 6 day event from 21st to 26th of February at the Nyayo national stadium.
Word from the head coach Charles Goro is that the international basketball federation and the Kenya basketball federation had given the Nigerian team up to today (Tuesday noon) to arrive or grant the Kenyan team a walkover, though there is word that the team might be arriving on Wednesday due to delays with their airlines.
“We are still waiting for them to arrive, they were supposed to come in by Monday night, since the tournament is starting today, we are consulting to see the best way possible because we must work with rules”. Said the coach
Team interpreter Douglas Okeyo said there is an official from Sweden and that the chances of resorting to option B which is handing Kenya a walk over is likely
“The official will access the level of the Kenyan game if Nigeria could not have honored the match, he will see whether they meet the international standards before recommending a walk over” said Okeyo
The team had a friendly with Strathmore University on Monday and although they lost, the coach and his assistant are optimistic the team has what it takes to qualify for the Paralympics.
In case Nigeria does not turn up, the federation has invited Strathmore University, a team which will be used to gauge whether the team, meets the international standards under the watchful eye of the Swedish official.
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