FIBA has made a decision on the fate of the AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers games in Group E that were not played during the last window due to health-related reasons.

Uganda’s Silverbacks were due to face Egypt, Morocco, and Cape Verde in February to complete the qualification process.

However, FIBA took the decision to postpone Uganda’s second leg games due to Covid-19 after five members of the Silverbacks tested positive for the virus.

In a communication made today, the basketball governing body has set a time period within which the games will be played.

According to a statement released, the games will be played between June 15 and July 15 at a venue yet to be determined.

“Following the postponement of Uganda’s games in application of the COVID-19 Protocol for FIBA Official National Team and Club Competitions and the advice of its Medical Commission, the pending Group E Uganda games, Uganda – Egypt, Morocco – Uganda and Cape Verde – Uganda, will be played between June 15 and July 15, 2021 at a venue to be decided,” reads the FIBA statement in part.

Despite winning two games in the first leg, the Silverbacks are currently at the bottom of Group E based on the fact that they haven’t played the second leg of the qualifiers.

The Federation of Uganda Basketball Association (FUBA) has confirmed the 2021 National Basketball League will tip-off on Saturday, April 17.

Seven-time champions City Oilers taking on Nam Blazers in the highlight game of the opening weekend.

FUBA released the regular season fixtures on Wednesday and league newcomers Namuwongo Blazers have been straight away thrown into the deep end.

Ten men’s teams will compete for glory as Warriors and Sharing Youths opted out of the season, while only eight teams will compete in the women’s division, and missing are former champions A1 Challenge and UMU Ravens.

According to the fixture, the single-leg regular season will be played until June 5 at Uganda Christian University in Mukono and Kampala International University in Kansanga.

2021 NBL Opening Weekend Fixtures

Saturday, April 17 (KIU Court)

• Men: Ndejje Angels Vs KCCA Panthers – 9am
• Women: Nkumba Ladies Vs Nabisunsa – 11am
• Men: KIU Titans Vs Betway Power – 1pm
• Women: JKL Lady Dolphins Vs KCCA Leopards – 3pm
• Men: City Oilers Vs Nam Blazers – 5pm

Sunday, April 18 (UCU Courts)

•  Women: KIU Rangers Vs Magic Stormers – 12pm
• Men: Sharing Youth Vs Falcons – 12pm
• Women: Angels Vs UCU Lady Canons – 2pm
• Men: UPDF Tomahawks Vs JKL Dolphins – 3pm
• Women: UCU Canons Vs Warriors – 5pm

When the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) tips off on Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda, one Ugandan player will take to the floor.

Robinson Odoch Opong will turn out for Nigerian outfit Rivers Hoopers who open the tournament in a clash with hosts Patriots Basketball Club at the Kigali Arena.

The shooting guard joined the team as a replacement for injured Festus Ezeli, the 2015 NBA champion with Golden State Warriors.

Opong’s exploits with Uganda’s national basketball team, the Silverbacks, and his experience on the continent with local champions City Oilers attracted the attention of the Nigerian team.

Having played for Uganda at the 2017 Fiba Afrobasket Championship, 2019 Fiba World Cup Qualifiers, and 2021 Fiba Afrobasket Qualifiers as well as the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Opong is no stranger to this level.

BAL Groups 

Group A: US Monastir (Tunisia), Rivers Hoopers (Nigeria), Patriots BBC (Rwanda), and GNBC (Madagascar)
Group B: Petro de Luanda (Angola), AS Salé (Maroc), AS Police (Mali) and FAP (Cameroun)
Group C: Zamalek (Egypt), AS Douanes (Senegal), Ferroviário de Maputo (Mozambique) and GS Pétroliers (Algeria).