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Sports Reporter
AT least seven teams will compete in the Matabeleland North pre-season basketball tournament for the first time in the history of the province.
The weekend hoop fiesta will see teams from Bulawayo, Gweru and Matabeleland North paving way for the 2015 season, which starts on September 9 in Hwange.
Matabeleland North Basketball president Pendrick Ndlovu said they invited Bulawayo’s Angels and Midlands’ Giants Unicorns to be guest teams as a way of bringing more competition in the women’s category that will also feature Ghetto Magic and Victoria Falls Clippers.
In the men’s category, Hwange Heats will have to prove their grit against Victoria Falls Clippers, Ghetto Magic, Ingagula, Black Dime, Lupane State University and Bulawayo’s City Knights.
“We have our teams from Matabeleland North taking part and to make the event competitive, we have sent invites to clubs from the Midlands and Bulawayo.
“This is a season opener and we expect teams to showcase how well they have prepared for the 2015 season,” said Ndlovu.
He said they plan to launch a schools’ league next year.
“We are in talks with the schools on how best we can form a league that combines all schools in the province. We have had a hard time trying to lure people into the sport. It was agreed that the best plan is to start introducing basketball at primary and secondary school level. Most schools in Matabeleland North will be playing basketball from January.”
Online Reporter