The University team qualified for their first ever regional tournament after reaching the final of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) women’s Premier League last season, where they lost out to Kenya Ports Authority.

By virtue of reaching the final, they earned a maiden slot for the Zone Five, but will not honor that chance due to an apparent lack of funds.

“The University management gave us reasons as to why it would not be possible to go for the Zone Five and so, yes, we have pulled out. It dims the players’ morale a bit but we have talked to them and the VC also had a chat with them and explained why they would not be going,” Obilo told Capital Sport.

He added; “They really understand and it is a good thing all our players are students. It would have been a lot of pressure if we were dealing with professional players.”

“I know that in future we will make it again. Maybe this time they (Uni management) were not prepared for that level but now we know that if we qualify again, we will participate.”

With the Zone Five opportunity gone and a good chunk of the players graduating after completing their final years, the team is set to lose about five players heading into the new season. One of the players primed to leave the side is small forward Valerie Kemunto.

“We are losing up to five players to the big teams but we are happy for them because most of them have landed job opportunities. But being a University team we always expect this. You have a good squad for two or three years then you start all over again,” Obilo said.

He adds; “At the moment I have 10 players in the team but we have a development team and we will promote around four of them from there and we will still have a very competitive team.”

He is eased up that at least a good number of his key players, including shooting guard Mary Lisa Omondi, centre Madina Okot, small forward Christine Akinyi and shooting guard Shantel Kiyobe are still with the team.

Zetech picked their second win of the season on Friday night as they thrashed University of Nairobi’s Dynamites, hitting them five short of a century with a 95-40 score.

Rwandese Kiyobe starred in the victory, landing in 32 points, including 21 from beyond the arch, as they totally annihilated the young UoN side.

Medina also registered double digits with 15 points while Maureen Bosibori had 12.