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Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SIXTEEN teams from six countries have confirmed their participation in the Zone 6 Basketball Club Championships at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair later this month.
Organisers of the tournament to be held from October 20-29 said the countries that will be sending representatives are Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Botswana and hosts Zimbabwe.
Eswatini, Lesotho, South Africa and Namibia have up to Saturday to register for the tournament, whose winner will represent the region in the continental finals.
Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, chairman of the local organising committee and technical manager of the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ), said they were prepared for the games.
“We had hoped that by now all countries would have registered their participation status. The final date for registration is Saturday and we hope some of the countries will send through their participants. The good thing is that continental giants from Angola are coming,” said Ndlovu.
Regional basketball powerhouse Angola are sending three teams, defending men’s champions Premiera Augosto and women’s sides Interclube and Premeira Augusto. Interclube have won a record five regional titles.
Ndlovu said there are indications that Angola will also register Libolo to compete in the men’s championships.
Malawi, who will be making a maiden appearance at the regional club finals, are sending two teams, Brave Hearts (women) and Central Knights, who will compete in the men’s category.
Three teams are coming from Mozambique, men’s representatives Ferroviario de Maputo and Ferroviario de Beira, while Ferroviario de Mahuta will compete in the women’s category.
Four Zambian teams return to the regional competition after many years with UNZA Honeys and Naster Breeze set to battle it out for women’s honours, while UNZA Pacers and Matera Magic will play in the men’s category.
Botswana are being represented by Police Women and Police Men.
Bulawayo’s Lakers and Vixens from Harare were selected to represent Zimbabwe in the women’s competitions, with BUZ registering Foxes and City Hornets of Harare in the men’s categories.
BUZ are waiting for the continental body to give them the green light to field Mercenaries from Mutare via the wild card. — @ZililoR
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