dyton mupawaenda
Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
EIGHT men and eight women sides from Southern Africa are set to clash in the Harare Mayor’s Cheer Fund two-day backetball fiesta at the City Sports Centre from October 18.
Preparations for the event, which was last held in Zimbabwe in 2017, are at an advanced stage with outdoor courts under construction at the City Sports Centre.
The main arena is also undergoing some refurbishments.
The hoops jamboree will also fine-tune the clubs who will participate in the Basketball Africa League qualifiers to be held later this year.
The competition is also designed to raise funds for the underprivileged members of the community with this year’s event targeting to put together US$60 000.
Competition organising committee chairman, Sani Mbofana, a veteran basketball administrator, yesterday said the preparations for the event are going on well.
“I am honoured to announce the return of the Mayor’s Cheer Fund Basketball tournament to be played between 18-20 October at the City Sports Centre in Harare.
“The event is intended to raise at least US$60 000 to help underprivileged members of the society as well as take kids out of drugs and other societal ills.
“It has been years since the same tournament was held in Harare and its return has reignited the passion for the hoops in the country and the region.
“We will have eight ladies teams and as many men’s clubs battling it out for the ultimate prize.
Other participants will be drawn from Botswana, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Eswatini and Namibia, among other countries.
Harare City Hornets won gold in the last edition with Lusaka City of Zambia taking home the silver medal.
Online Reporter