REIGNING national champions Co-operative Bank of Kenya will not take part in the next week's FIBA Africa Zone Five Club Championships in Burundi, a top official confirmed yesterday.

Vitalis Gode, regional body secretary, said Co-op Bank have confirmed they are out of the week-long bonanza starting in Bujumbura on Monday. He didn't give reasons for their withdrawal. He said women champions Eagle Wing are still looking for funds to enable them defend the title they won last year in Kampala, Uganda. Wings also won the same event in Bujumbura in 2010.

Four teams had been selected to represent Kenya in the tourney, whose winners will then carry the region's flag in the Africa Club Championships latter this year. The other two teams are United States International University (USIU) teams 'Tigers' and 'Flames' who left on Tuesday night by road.

"Our teams left yesterday by road to Burundi," confirmed men's head coach David Maina, adding that: "We have trained well and remain hopeful the two teams would do well and bring the trophies home."

Wings assistant team manager, Agina Wesonga, said the self supporting side need Sh3 million to make it for the championships. "The girls are in high morale. We approached the government for help and we are hopeful we will make it," he said. Uganda's UCU Lady Canons have also opted out of the event as it coincides with their examinations. Three teams--Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA), Rihana Warriors and Galaxy Falcons will participate. Men defending champions Espoir of Rwanda who whipped Burundi's Urunani in last year's finals in Kampala will take part alongside the women side APR. Tanzania's ABC (men and women) and Jeshi will not participate leaving Vijana and City Bulls to fly the country's flag.