Eight countries to compete in basketball tourney

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter

EIGHT countries including hosts Zimbabwe have shown interest in taking part in the Afro-Basket Zone Six qualifiers and Afro Can qualifiers competitions to be held in Bulawayo in February.

The competitions will see the women’s and men senior national teams return to action after what has been a long hiatus.
Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, and hosts Zimbabwe are set to be part of the competitions which will run from February 20-28.

Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) president Joe Mujuru said preparations for the hosting of the competitions are sailing smoothly.

“We are excited as we draw closer to the tournament dates. Our preparations are on course but then of course, we need the support of the Bulawayo community to make this event a success.
“We are also calling on the corporate world as well as business persons to chip in and help in whatever way they can,” said Mujuru.

“It’s been a while since the national teams were in action. This is going to be exciting and we hope to have the best talent in the country taking part in the competition.

“Our leagues are running smoothly across the country and we should be able to come up with strong teams that will battle for honours,” he added.

The senior men’s team has Kelvin Ben as the head coach. He is assisted by Theodore Weale and Francis Dube.
Pondai Chitauro is in charge of the women’s side and is assisted by Gladys Phiri. — @innocentskizoe.