Apparently, several teams are lined up to battle for Kelati’s signature, if the player should be free to go, including his former Spanish club Valencia Basket. Two Turkish clubs, namely Efes Pilsen and Fenerbahce, have already approached Kelati’s manager in a move to secure a deal with the Eritrean player.

Kelati is said to like the option to play for his former Spanish club and would be even prepared to take salary cuts to be able to return to Spain. Valencia’s best basketball team made very good experience with the guard and values him as hard working and calm professional capable of scoring for his team.

His current club BC Khimki is in financial trouble and failed to secure a place in the Euroleague’s Top 16 teams. Only last week the official website of BC Khimki announced the departure of Nigerian center player Benjamin Eze to Olimpia Milano after his disappointment with the clubs performance.

No wonder Valencia is watching the situation closely to snatch its former basketball star with roots in Eritrea.

In his basketball career Kelati played for Dexia Mons-Hainaut (Belgium), Turow Zgorzelec (Poland), Unicaja Malaga (Spain), Olympiacos Piareus (Greece), Los Angeles Lakers (USA), Power Electronics Valencia (Spain), BC Khimki (Russia).

New York Marathon

Meb Keflezighi’s chances of finishing first during this year ‘s New York Marathon have increased for the Eritrean-American runner.

Four-time Boston Marathon winner Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot and three-time London Marathon champion Martin Lel will not run in next month’s New York Marathon due to injuries, reports AFP. Both Kenyans were expected to be among title contenders in the November 7 race.

Lel, who won the New York crown in 2003 and 2007, will miss the race because of a right leg injury while Cheruiyot, last year’s New York runner-up to Eritrean-born American Meb Keflezighi, was sidelined by a groin injury. Cheruiyot, 32, captured his most recent Boston crown in 2008 and Lel, 31, was fifth at the 2008 Beijing Olympic marathon.

Marathon world record-holder Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, making his New York debut, and Keflezighi top the remaining field, which also includes two-time New York winner Marilson Gomes dos Santos of Brazil and Kenyan Abel Kirui.