• BASKETBALL

• Frank Rotich 1 month ago

Kenya forced to settle for silver as South Sudan bag ANOCA Zone V Youth basketball gold

Kenya’s rising basketball stars ettled for silver at the 2026 ANOCA Zone V Youth Games in Nairobi, with South Sudan taking the boys’ 3x3 basketball title after a closely contested campaign at Kenyatta University on Thursday.

South Sudan finished top of the overall standings with 160 points across the three-stop competition, while Kenya 1 accumulated 140 points to secure second place. Kenya 2 completed the podium with 60 points.

Despite missing out on the overall crown, Kenya produced a strong finish to the tournament, defeating South Sudan 21-18 in the final stop in a thrilling encounter.

The result underlined Kenya’s growing competitiveness in youth basketball, particularly against South Sudan, a nation that has established itself as one of Africa’s leading basketball powers.

South Sudan’s success was further highlighted by the individual performance of Agot Deng, who was named the boys’ Most Valuable Player after an impressive campaign.

Kenya, however, had plenty to celebrate in the girls’ competition.

The Kenya Under-17 girls’ team, Kenya 2, claimed the gold medal after completing a flawless campaign. They capped their impressive run with a convincing 20-9 victory over Uganda in the final.

Kenyan player Chelsea Onamu was rewarded for her outstanding performances by being named the girls’ MVP.

The basketball results formed part of a highly successful overall campaign for the hosts, with Kenya emerging as the best-performing nation at the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games.

Team Kenya collected an impressive 50 medals — 22 gold, 21 silver and seven bronze — to top the overall medal standings.

Kenya also dominated other disciplines, including beach volleyball, where the hosts swept the available gold medals. In athletics, Bramwel Chasala won the 200 metres while Enock Tuitoek claimed gold in the 3,000m.

The performances have provided an encouraging glimpse into the future of Kenyan sport, with the youth games serving as an important platform for identifying and developing athletes who could represent the country at major international competitions.

For basketball, the contrasting fortunes of Kenya and South Sudan point to an emerging regional rivalry, with both countries boasting talented young players capable of making an impact at continental level.

With the Dakar Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, the ANOCA Zone V Youth Games have offered the young athletes valuable competitive experience and an opportunity to test themselves against some of the region’s best emerging talent.