Kampala — UGANDA's representatives to the East, Central and Southern Africa basketball club championship, Mogas Falcons, are struggling to raise sh50m to make the trip to Ethiopia next month.

Falcons' chairman John Ssimbwa said that the club would soon embark on a fundraising drive.

"We are representing the country in an international event so we will seek support from Government and corporate bodies involved in sponsorship of sports. We can't get sh50m from one source. We intend to solicit for money from various companies," Ssimbwa said.

The money will cater for air-tickets, accommodation and upkeep for a 16-man contingent.

Ssimbwa said that a corporate dinner is one of the activities expected to raise money for the team.

"We may never host this event again if we don't participate," Ssimbwa stated.

Falcons won the tournament in 2001 in Kampala and finished third in 2004 in Zanzibar.

The Ugandan champions will face off with their counterparts from Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Egypt, Seychelles, Zanzibar and Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, the KCC Lions stunned the Nkumba Marines 50-45 to record their first victory of the 2008 MTN-FUBA basketball league and make the headlines of an action-packed week.

In the men's fray, Division One leaders Kyambogo Warriors earned their tenth victory with a 49-39 win over Crane High.

There were also victories for A1 Challenge who took their record to 12 wins with a 52-18 defeat of the Victoria Lakers.

MTN-FUBA League

Men

Lions 50 Marines 45

Warriors 49 Crane High 39

Women

Leopards 65 Bucks 62

Nabisunsa 53 Crane High 32

Rangers 40 Rhino 29

A1 52 Lakers 18