When the game is over, You take a bow or you kiss the floor. You point a finger toward the roof and thank God for great years of playing the game at a high level, and you walk proudly home. The Kenya Morans will miss one of its most composed and poised point guards. Good luck Joseph Khaemba. Below is a letter from Joseph Situma Khaemba.
10 years. 10 great years. 10 years full of blood sweat and tears. 10 years since I joined the Kenyan National Basketball team, accomplishing one of my goals in life.
The year 2013 marked entry into a journey that has seen me represent my country, travel to several countries and meet great opponents who’ve turned into great friends. A young man who after a decade has matured in all aspects of life. From making my debut in February 2013 against East African giants Rwanda, Egypt and Uganda to becoming the captain of the Morans, I’m proud to say that I have grown in leaps and bounds and conquered the continent.
Beating Angola to qualify for the AfroBasket Championships for the first time in 28 years was no small feat. It was the highlight of my career, one I hold dear.
And so, all great journeys must come to an end. Even the best dancer has to exit the stage. This is my time. I have done my best and believe this is the best time to give others a chance to build on what my colleagues and I have achieved. I believe my exit will create an opportunity for younger blood in the team. Kenya is endowed with rich basketball talent waiting to be tapped.
Fortunately for me, this marks not the end but the start of a new chapter in my life and I’m so excited to see how it pans out.
My body says stop it’s time, and for the first time I will listen to my body and override my heart’s desires to keep going.
Therefore, after a great deal of reflection I’m writing this to announce that I’ll be retiring from the National Basketball Team from Friday 11th March 2022.
Serving my country through basketball has been my highest honour.
I remain committed to the sport and will seek to serve from the sidelines in other capacities. I am available to mentor, support, encourage and perhaps coach to the current and future generation of players.
I will however continue to play for my club locally and in the international club championships that follow.
God has been so amazing to me in my journey and all glory and thanks go to Him.
My family has been my rock and has supported me through everything.
To my teammates, both current and retired, this journey wouldn’t be what it has been without you. Please accept my sincere appreciation and gratitude.
To all coaches and technical benches under whom I’ve had the privilege of being trained and nurtured, it’s been an absolute pleasure being under your tutelage.
To the Kenyan Basketball Federation officials, I thank you for the chance to showcase my talents.
More than any other time before, the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Heritage through our able Cabinet Secretary Ambassador Amina Mohamed, has played a singular support role for sports including Basketball. I have benefited immensely through the revival of the Sports and Culture in our country and your support has been immense and always appreciated.
God bless Kenya.
JOSEPH SITUMA KHAEMBA