NAIROBI (Afrobasket Women/FIBA World Championship for Women) - Kenya international Hilda Hindasi Luvandwa has had a tremendous contribution to her national team in the past twelve months as she became the team’s most notorious player.

The 27-year-old had an average performance when she first played for the country in the 2007 Africa zone 5 qualifying tournament.

However, last month Hindasi led Kenya in scoring and helped her country secure a place at the 2013 Afrobasket for Women.

The event which is due to be staged in Mozambique later in the summer, is a qualifier tournament for the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women to be staged in Turkey.

Kenya finished unbeaten in five games and will compete at Africa’s flagship women’s tournament for the first time since 2007.

Hindasi was not only Kenya’s leading scorer, but she was also named the tournament’s MVP, a recognition that she was familiar with as the small forward was, named MVP of last year’s Kenyan national league, despite her team USIU finished runner-up behind Eagle Wings.

At the 2007 Afrobasket held in Senegal Kenya registered 1-6 record thanks to a 57-48 win over Cape Verde.

Since then Rwanda had become East Africa dominant force, until last month, when Kenya dominated the Dar es Salaam qualifying tournament.

Hindasi told the press: “That was one of the best competitions we have featured in. Everyone played their hearts out and I thank God for every single point we gained from the tournament,” she said.

“We now look forward to the challenge that comes ahead and Mozambique should be prepared for our arrival,” she explained.

A talented Egypt team caused Kenya some concerns, but the region new champions celebrated after all.

“The match against Egypt” Hindasi said “was like our final.

“They are athletic, tall, fast on the ball and very technical as well, but then we are the best because we defeated them,” Hindasi pointed out.

Lastly, Hindasi evaluated the competition that saw Egypt finishing runner-up.

“Under the Dar es Salaam heat, it was challenging to play all those matches without resting,” she said, adding that she appreciate the support of team mates “because without their valuable support, nothing could have been achieved. It is now time for all of us to focus and concentrate on better preparation for the African Cup of Nations.” Hindasi said.

Historically Kenya’s only success was a silver medal at the 1993 Afrobasket for Women played in Senegal, which qualified the team to the 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women held in Australia.

In that tournament Kenya finished win less in eight games.

FIBA