The M-PESA Jr. NBA Coast Regional Finals crowned Aga Khan Academy (boys) and Umoja Junior School (girls) as the new champions in an intense basketball showdown held at the prestigious Aga Khan Academy in Mombasa County.
In a thrilling boys’ final, Aga Khan Academy, led by Coach Eugine Auka, executed a high-pressure defense to claim a 25-19 victory over Kinango Junior School.
Their relentless defensive play forced turnovers and secured the regional title in a hard-fought battle.
Meanwhile, the girls’ final saw Umoja Junior School from Changamwe dominate host team Aga Khan Academy with a 20-15 win.
Star player Zuhura Suleiman fueled Umoja’s early lead, scoring quick points to establishan 8-4 advantage at halftime.
Despite Aga Khan’s attempt at a second-half comeback, Umoja’s solid defense secured their championship victory.
The tournament also saw impressive performances in the semifinals, where Aga Khan outplayed St. Mary’s JSS 18-10, while Umoja JSS edged out Tsagwa JSS 8-6 in tightly contested matchups.
In the third-place playoffs, Oshwal Academy took bronze in the boys’ category, while Tsagwa JSS secured third place in the girls’ category after their respective wins over St. Mary’s and Mwanamunga.
Speaking at the awards ceremony, Aga Khan Academy Head Coach Eugine Auka praised his team’s outstanding performance, stating that winning the boys’ title and finishing second in the girls’ category was a huge achievement, especially against such tough opponents.
He commended M-PESA and NBA Africa for organizing a high-quality tournament that plays a crucial role in developing young basketball talent.
Safaricom’s Coast Regional Marketing Lead, Evans Muga, emphasized the impact of the tournament, noting that the M-PESA Jr. NBA tournament has showcased incredible grassroots basketball talent.
He added that beyond the game, Safaricom is equipping young players with essential financial literacy skills through M-PESA Go, ensuring they build a strong foundation both on and off thecourt
Also Read:Over 400 Juniors Gain Exclusive Financial Skills at M-PESA Jr. NBA Tournament in Mombasa
Over 480 young athletes from 40 teams across Kilifi, Mombasa, and Kwale participated in the two-day event, reinforcing Kenya’s rising basketball talent.
With successful tournaments in Nairobi and Coast, the M-PESA Jr. NBA now moves to Eldoret on March 15-16, 2025, at Nova Pioneer School.
Stay tuned for more updates on the M-PESA Jr. NBA tournament and Kenya’s growing basketball talent!
