The two-day tournament saw 40 teams and 480 players from Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale compete. Beyond the basketball action, the event also featured financial literacy sessions through M-PESA Go
The M-PESA Jr. NBA now heads to Eldoret for the Regional Finals on March 15-16, 2025, at Nova Pioneer School—the third stop after thrilling competitions in Nairobi and Mombasa.
At last weekend’s Coast Regional Finals, hosted at the prestigious Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa, the Aga Khan Academy boys’ team and Umoja Junior School girls’ team claimed the championship titles.
In a thrilling boys’ final, the Aga Khan Academy, coached by Eugine Auka, showcased exceptional skills, claiming a 25-19 victory over Kinango Junior School. Played at the indoor court arena, Aga Khan’s strong, high pressure defense strategy overwhelmed Kinango, forcing turnovers and neutralizing their offense in both halves to secure the regional title.
On the girls’ side, Umoja Junior School from Changamwe triumphed with a 20-15 win over the host team, Aga Khan Academy. Umoja set the tone early, with star player Zuhura Suleiman leading the charge and scoring key points to give her team an 8-4 lead at halftime. Despite Aga Khan’s efforts in the second half, Umoja’s solid defense and offensive execution were enough to secure the championship.
Aga Khan Academy’s Head Coach, Eugine Auka, expressed immense pride in his team’s performance. “I’m really impressed by what my teams have achieved in this tournament. Winning the boys’ title and finishing second in the girls’ category is no easy feat, especially against such tough and well prepared opponents,” said Auka. “This is a great event, and we need more such high quality competitions to help our young players grow in the sport.”
Both teams advanced to the finals after impressive semifinal victories with Aga Khan defeating St. Mary’s JSS 18-10 in the boys’ category and Umoja edging out Tsagwa JSS 8-6 in the girls' division.
As part of their victory, players from both winning teams were rewarded with smartphones and airtime courtesy of Safaricom M-PESA. The third place finishers were Oshwal Academy in the boys’ category and Tsagwa JSS in the girls’ category, who triumphed over St. Mary’s and Mwanamunga JSS in their respective playoffs.
Evans Muga, Safaricom’s Coast Regional Marketing Lead, praised the event’s success. “The M-PESA Jr. NBA Coast Regional tournament has truly demonstrated the immense potential of our young basketball talent. At Safaricom, we are committed to nurturing these athletes and supporting their growth through initiatives like M-PESA Go, which equips them with essential financial literacy skills,” Muga said.
The two-day tournament saw 40 teams and 480 players from Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale compete. Beyond the basketball action, the event also featured financial literacy sessions through M-PESA Go, helping the players develop crucial financial management skills.
Michael Finley, NBA Africa’s Kenya Country Lead, expressed his excitement about the tournament’s impact. “What I witnessed here today proves that Kenya is brimming with incredible basketball talent. The participation of 480 players in this event is a testament to the passion and potential we have at the grassroots level.”
With the Coast Regional finals now concluded, the M-PESA Jr. NBA tournament will move to Eldoret for the next round, scheduled for March 15-16, 2025, at Nova Pioneer School.
Final Standings:
Boys:
- Aga Khan Academy
- Kinango JSS
- Oshwal Academy
- St. Mary’s JSS
Girls:
- Umoja JSS
- Aga Khan Academy
- Tsagwa JSS
- Mwanamunga JSS