Byo b/ball tourney on

Ricky Zililo in BULAWAYO

BULAWAYO’S basketball players will clash in men and women’s All-Star Weekend Skaters tournament set for Khanyisile Sports Centre this afternoon.

The competition, meant to fundraise for the provincial teams which will compete at the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) Provincial Championships set for Masvingo next week will feature the city’s top players.

Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) secretary-general Howard Phangwana said they need $2 780 to send their four teams, the senior men and women as well as the boys’ and girls’ Under-18s to Masvingo.

“Our transport, accommodation and food budget for the national competitions stand at $2 780. We will spend two nights in Masvingo and at the moment we’re working on sourcing vehicles which we are going to fuel so that they transport players.

Winners of last weekend’s Bulawayo Under-20 boys’ Top Schools Basketball Tournament Nkulumane High School face off with Christian Brothers College in the first game of the All-Star Weekend Skaters competition at 1PM.

The match will be followed by three-point shooting and Slam Dunk competitions with the women’s main game pitting Northern and Southern Conference starting at 5pm while the men’s event is at 7pm.

The Northern Conference is made up of clubs that do not train at Khanyisile Sports Centre which are Lakers, Highlanders, City Knights, Giants and Oilers while the Southern Conference have Southern Mavericks, Nust and Lupane State University.

Provisional squads

Men: Andile Chirinda, Nhlanhla Chirinda, Mbulelo Mangoma (Nust), Mthokozisi Sithole, Wellington Kasosera, William Muchuchuti, Mike Zvoushe (Giants), Shadel Noble, Otheniel Murambatsvina, Noah Penduka (Oilers), Jordan Davis, Tino Gumbo, Derrick Chiradza (Highlanders), Liberty Nyathi, Tafadzwa Gonyora, Masimba Wemba (Mavericks)

Technical team: Melu Ndlovu, Durell Adams, Daniel Mombeshora

Women: Jacqueline Penduka, Seldom Woods, Pretty Tinarwo, Yolanda Matayataya, Geraldine Chibonda, Sibongile Mnkandla (Lakers), Sharon Dube, Roseline Maidei, Tanya Mugaradziko (Nust), Shannez Sibanda (Angels), Melisa Majonga, Isabel Sibanda, Brandina Muleya, Sharon Chamwarura, Cleopatra Manda, Chairmaine Chirinda (Mavericks)

Technical team: Mxolisi Ndlovu, Theodore Weale, Patricia James.