Nairobi: Nairobi City Thunder Coach Bradley Ibs has been named Betika/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Coach of the Month for November. Bradley guided Nairobi City Thunder to back-to-back qualification for the main 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) tournament.
According to Kenya News Agency, the City Thunder basketball team made history in front of a packed crowd at the Kasarani Indoor Gymnasium in Nairobi by defeating Mozambique’s Ferroviario da Beira 109-70, securing their place in the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The Kenyan champions, coached by Bradley Ibs, achieved this milestone for the second consecutive year, becoming the first team in this year’s East Division Elite 16 to score over 100 points in a game.
The Thunder tactician faced tough competition for the award, besting a strong field of nominees, including the unbeaten Kenya Police FC Bullets coach David Vijago and Kenya Morans’ Kevin Wambua, who led the Kenya Sevens team to an unbeaten victory in the Zambezi 7s.
During the presentation ceremony on Monday at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Ibs expressed his pride in his team’s hard work and dedication. ‘I am thrilled to receive this award,’ said Coach Ibs, adding that they are excited to represent Kenya on the continental stage again.
SJAK President James Waindi congratulated Coach Ibs, emphasizing his outstanding contribution to Kenyan basketball. ‘This award recognizes Coach Ibs’s outstanding contribution to Kenyan basketball. He’s an inspiration to many, and we’re honored to have him leading the charge,’ Waindi stated.
Betika Marketing Executive Marya Wachira highlighted the increased competitiveness among the shortlisted coaches as a testament to the improved performance of Kenyan teams across different sports disciplines. ‘The depth of this month’s nominees reflects a big truth: Kenyan coaches are raising the bar across every sport. Betika is honored to support this advancement and to acknowledge the achievements and dedication that make it possible every month,’ Wachira noted.
Other nominees included Kenya Lionesses Coach Simon Odongo, who led his team to a second-place finish at the Africa Women’s 7s event in Nairobi, and Caroline Kola, coach of the Tokyo 2025 Kenya Summer Deaflympics team, who spearheaded Kenya’s impressive haul of 15 medals at the event. Junior Stars Coach William Muluya, Kenya Ports Authority Coach Antony Ojukwu, and Kenya Police FC Coach Dusan Stojanovic were also among the contenders for the November accolade.
