Upon return, the players were rewarded with Ksh 200,000 each for their exploits. This was announced by Namwamba who added that the officials would receive Ksh100,000 each.
Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba has promised support for the national women's 3x3 team as they prepare for the final Olympic qualification tournament slated for May 2024.
The team, captained by Natalie Akinyi was crowned African 3x3 Cup champions in a 21-20 clutch victory over Egypt in Cairo on Sunday.
A buzzer-beater from tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP) Natalie Akinyi saw the team dethrone Egypt to qualify for the UOQ2 (Fiba 3X3 Universality-driven Olympic Qualifying Tournament) set for Japan in May 2024.
The team returned home on 5 December to a jubilant welcome party that included Sports CS Namwamba and treated to breakfast as Kenya savoured the moment.
“My ministry is committed to improving the athletes’ training facilities and to arrange for good level friendlies and facilitation to go to Japan ahead of time so that the team can acclimatize, blend in, relax and be ready for the contest," the CS offered.
Under the tutelage of Evelyne Kedogo, the team comprised of Akinyi, Hilda Indasi, Kenyan International Mercy Wanyama, and towering Madina Okot shift their focus to the Japan competition.
Upon return, the players were rewarded with Ksh 200,000 each for their exploits. This was announced by Namwamba who added that the officials would receive Ksh100,000 each.
“For conquering Africa, you will each receive Ksh 200,000 per player and Ksh 100,000 per team official. This is part of our deliberate, intentional and structured effort to reward excellence in sports,” Ababu said.
Natalie was named the MVP, leading the Team of the Tournament alongside Egypt’s Raneem Mohamed who put up 23 points throughout the competition, just as the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) guard did, with Harisoa Hajanirina (Madagascar) who led her side to Bronze with a 20-point tournament completing the list.
Meanwhile Namwambal auded the partnership between Kenya and NBA which will see the association focus on talent development through the schools’ ecosystem.
He revealed that the the ministry was at advanced stages in development Basketball Courts in Kasarani.
"We are already at 90 percent with our development of two new Basketball courts in Kasarani. These courts will form part of the ecosystem of the Kenya Sports Academy (KAS) to become your natural home in terms of training and residential camp owing to our 300 bed capacity at the facility," he said.