Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira
BASKETBALL fever is set to grip Bulawayo this Saturday as the city’s hoops scene comes roaring back to life with a sizzling 3-on-3 tournament at Khanyisile Sports Centre.
The one-day showdown promises non-stop action, lightning-fast plays and streetball swagger as teams battle it out in 15-minute games or a race to 21 points. The high-octane format has taken the world by storm and even made it to the Olympics and now it’s here to reignite Bulawayo’s basketball culture.
“This format is fast, intense and perfect for showcasing local talent,” said Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) secretary general Tino Gumbo. “We are excited to bring basketball back to the heart of the community. The 3-on-3 tournament will set the tone for a vibrant and competitive season ahead.”
The return of basketball marks a fresh start for the city, which once boasted one of Zimbabwe’s most vibrant hoops scenes. Fans will be treated to a festival atmosphere as rising stars and seasoned ballers go head-to-head for bragging rights and glory.
BBA president Sinda Mono said the tournament is just the beginning.
“Our aim is to give basketball a permanent home at Khanyisile,” she said. “We are building a strong grassroots foundation so that young players, coaches and administrators can grow with the game.”
After Saturday’s fireworks, a pre-season tournament will follow before the elite league tips off in early October.
Heavyweights like Bulawayo City Royals, Mavericks, Lakers, Titans and Giants are set to light up the main campaign.
With music, food stalls and a festival vibe planned for the opening day, organisers want the event to feel more like a basketball carnival than just another tournament.
“This is about bringing the community together,” Gumbo explained. “Basketball is a culture, it’s family, it’s passion. We want everyone to come out and experience that energy.”
For fans who have been waiting for basketball to bounce back, Saturday is a statement that the game is alive and thriving in Bulawayo once again.
From the crack of sneakers on the court to the roar of the crowd as a buzzer-beater drops, the 3-on-3 blast is set to remind everyone why Bulawayo was once the beating heart of Zimbabwean basketball.
The ball is back in play, and the city is ready to rise.
