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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
BASKETBALL Union of Zimbabwe president Joe Mujuru says Bulawayo Province needs to organise more 3×3 tournaments so as not to lag behind other provinces who are hosting regular tournaments.
The 3×3 basketball is another version of the game played by three players in one team and scoring in one basketball hoop.
Each game is 15 minutes long or ends when one team reaches 21 points, whichever comes first.
Mujuru said provinces have made use of the off-season to focus on this version of basketball.
“It’s a good thing provinces have been organising tournaments of this version of the game. Harare and Midlands have been leading in that regard.
“Bulawayo has had one or two but there is a need to have more tournaments such that there is no huge gap between the provinces.
“This is now an Olympic sport and we would love to see Bulawayo as a province making a name in 3×3 basketball,” said Mujuru.
With the discipline being added on as an Olympic sport and being adopted by the African Games, it is in the best interest of the country to fully participate in the game.
Two years ago, the game suffered a blow when Bulawayo failed to host the Africa 3×3 basketball tournament in December due to lockdown restrictions after Zimbabwe had confirmed participation in the tournament.
The Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) had planned a tournament to be staged at Khanyisile Sports Centre next weekend, but the event could be affected by the latest lockdown restrictions announced by the Government banning every other gathering except funerals.
The planned tournament was aimed at marking the return of basketball action in the country. – @innocentskizoe
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