Excitement, fierce competition, marks Nakuball's third season
MKU player attempts to score a basket at the start of the Nakuball third season on February 1, 2025.
The third season of the Nakuru Universities and Colleges Basketball League (NAKUBALL) kicks off with excitement and promise of great competition, fresh talent, and heightened fan engagement.
“We are jumping into our third season and expect a lot of fireworks,” Fidele Ongola, the Secretary-General for NAKUBALL Sports Group says.
“There are a lot of new entrants therefore we expect great basketball, more interactions, and more engagement with sponsors, fans, and the local government. We also expect increased interest in basketball, especially here in Nakuru, as we’ve already proven that basketball can be a game-changer."
The opening day of the season featured a series of exciting matchups.
Kabarak Royals face NBBA at the start of the Nakuball third season on February 1, 2025.
In the men’s competition, Nakuru Basketball Academy (NBBA) faced off against Kabarak University Royals, with Kabarak clinching a dominant 51-33 victory.
Despite the loss, NBBA showcased strong promise, with standout performances from their young players.
“The new team, NBBA, played exceptionally well today,” Ongola notes. “Their young, vibrant players are full of life and potential. Though they lost all their games, there’s a lot to look forward to from that team. Malik, who wears No. 6, a high-time percentage shooter, is someone to look out for this season in this team.”
Another match saw Mount Kenya University (MKU) narrowly edge out Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI), 36-35, in a thrilling contest.
MKU, a rookie in the last season, has shown great improvement, and Ongola highlights its progress.
“MKU was just a rookie team last season, but now in their second season, they’ve come back stronger,” he says.
“They played remarkably well today, beating some big teams. I’ve seen a lot of improvements and expect a lot from them this season. Garang, who wears No. 12, really stood out and had an impressive performance.”
JKUAT faces MKU during the start of the third Nakuball season on February 1, 2025.
In another game, Kabarak University maintained their momentum from last season, defeating Dykaan College 35-15, as they continue to show why they were among the top three teams last year. Ongola highlighted Simon Wanjira, who wears No. 3, as a key contributor.
“Simo is always coming off the bench and delivering points for Kabarak,” Ongola shares. “He’s been consistent, and his contribution to the team is invaluable.”
Another player to look out for is Emmanuel Ogeta, alias ‘Kiki’, No. 11, who emerged as the most outstanding player on the court.
Ongola says despite being a rookie, he dominated games, put up impressive scoring numbers, and established himself as a true leader of the pack.
In the women’s competition, the explosive matchup saw Kabarak University dominate MKU with a resounding 46-11 victory.
“The women’s game was full of hard-fought basketball. We saw JKUAT taking the day last season against RVIST, and we’re hoping to build on what we’ve already established in both the men’s and women’s divisions as we continue to grow and improve basketball in Nakuru,” Ongola says.
He stresses that players are expected to elevate their performance this season and believes that players will demonstrate unprecedented levels of competition. He also notes that the games showcased excellent talent and featured some remarkable displays of skill.