adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo City Council has indefinitely closed the ceremonial home of basketball, Bulawayo Club for the Disabled Courts, owing to unpaid bills. The development has seen the Bulawayo Basketball League switching its matches to Northlea and Milton High Schools.The two schools had their basketball courts refurbished in the run up to the 2013 Zimbabwe National Youth Games which were held in the city in August.
According to sources, the BCD lease was given to the late Dingilizwe “Dinx” Mabhena with the Bulawayo Basketball Association unofficially taking over after his death in 2010.
“That place has been closed as it was no longer being maintained properly.
“The city council revoked the lease which had been given to the late Dinx (Mabhena) and now because the association cannot pay the bills which I believe have amounted to over $10 000, they are using Northlea and Milton for their matches,” said the source.
The BCD facility has suffered many years of neglect without any improvements to it despite being the best indoor basketball, floor hockey and volleyball court in the city.
The Bulawayo Basketball Association secretary-general Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu confirmed that they were kicked out of BCD and are making use of the legacy facilities left by playing host to the 2013 Zimbabwe National Youth Games.
“We are grateful to Northlea and Milton High schools who have allowed us to keep the 2013 Zimbabwe National Youth Games legacy alive by using the facilities that were renovated prior to the Games.
“From our understanding, the previous executive failed to pay bills and the lease has not been serviced with the landlord failing to pay rentals,” he told Chronicle Sport.
“It’s our hope that one day we will be able to take over BCD but right now our focus is on establishing a competitive league in Bulawayo.”
Meanwhile, the BBL entered its seventh week with Highlanders men beating Giants 73-48 while Southern Mavericks’ women’s team were 61-27 winners over Hawks.
Giants’ women were walked over by Lakers after failing to raise a team. According to sources Giants are on the verge of crumbling as they have lost most of their key players to Southern Mavericks.
Results
Women: Southern Mavericks 61, Hawks 27; Lakers 20, Giants 0
Men: Highlanders 45, Stars 43; Kings 76, Chaos 48; Giants 48, Highlanders 73; Oilers 93, Stars 24; ALCC 48, Lords 38.
Online Reporter