Bunge basketball team in friendly match with KPA ahead of EALA games

The Bunge team is now expected to intensify training ahead of the regional competition

by BRIAN OTIENO

Basketball11 September 2025 - 21:02

In Summary

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana said the legislators were determined to reclaim glory in this year’s East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games, scheduled for December in Uganda.
“Last year, Uganda beat us to the trophy when we hosted the games in Mombasa. This year we are better prepared. We shall face them on their own soil and bring the championship home,” he said.

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The Bunge basketball team, made up of male and female Members of Parliament, on Thursday faced off with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) side in a friendly match at the Makande Sports Ground in Mombasa County.

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana said the legislators were determined to reclaim glory in this year’s East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games, scheduled for December in Uganda.

“Last year, Uganda beat us to the trophy when we hosted the games in Mombasa. This year we are better prepared. We shall face them on their own soil and bring the championship home,” he said.

He added that the team had grown stronger, more disciplined, and more united, stressing that they were not just playing for Parliament but for Kenya as a whole.

Busia Woman Representative Catherine Omanyo noted that the games gave MPs a chance to interact outside their usual legislative duties.

“As leaders, we must encourage young people to take up sports as a way of keeping busy, earning a living, and staying away from drugs. Sports inspire discipline, teamwork and responsibility,” she said.

Omanyo also challenged Gen Z to take a more active role in addressing the country’s challenges, while hailing the EALA Games for fostering regional unity and cooperation.

Borabu MP Patrick Osero echoed the sentiment, saying sports had the unique power to break barriers that politics could not.

“On the court, we are teammates and opponents, not parties or factions. If leaders can dedicate time to teamwork and discipline, then young people too can use sports as a pathway to success,” he said.

From the KPA side, men’s captain David Thomas Buku said his team had relished the experience of playing against legislators and welcomed future encounters.

His women’s counterpart, Sesimina Ann, described the match as inspiring for younger players competing against older and more experienced opponents.

Kimberly Nyambura of the Bunge Sports Secretariat said the friendly was part of preparations for the December games.

“Our players have shown great promise, and this match has given them the experience they need to compete strongly in the EALA Games,” she said.

The Bunge team is now expected to intensify training ahead of the regional competition, which brings together parliamentary teams from across East Africa.