Andrew
Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE’S representatives at the FIBA Women’s Club Championships Qualifiers have been thrown a curveball as games will now be held in Angola and not South Africa as previously advertised.
According to a circular sent to 10 participating countries, the late change has been prompted by financial constraints currently being experienced by South African organisers.
“Due to challenges in mobilising resources by the host federation, the Women’s Champions Cup that was slated for Johannesburg, South Africa, will now be held in Luanda, Angola, from November 14 to November 20,” read the statement.
“It is noted that South Africa recently hosted the Men’s Basketball Africa League qualifiers, hence the recovery from the task undertaken has not been complete enough for them to take up another event.”
The regional tournament will serve as qualifiers for the Africa Cup, which remains the most prestigious and high-profile competition for women’s club basketball on the continent.
Of late, clubs from Angola have been dominating the competition, with the country providing five of the last six winners.
Five of the titles, which have been won after 2010, went to powerhouse side InterClube.
Their arch-rivals, Primeiro D’Agosto, returned to the podium at the most recent edition, having last won the coveted silverware in 2006.
The competition was last held in Luanda in 2017.
The Angola tournament will serve as qualifiers for the main draw, with each of the region’s 10 basketball countries eligible to send two teams.
These include Angola, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
However, the late change has blindsided the country’s representatives — Harare City Hornets and Bulawayo-based club Lakers — as it is the second change in recent months.
“It’s a mess, I tell you!” said City Hornets club chairperson Sunny Mbofana.
“The qualifiers were initially planned for Luanda but changed to Johannesburg and now back again to Luanda.
“The planning is not the best from where we stand.
“It effectively means we have less than 10 days to mobilise for a budget that has almost doubled.
“Angola is way more expensive; in the region of US$1 900 per person for a round trip.
“We still want to believe one or two big corporates will come through and heed the call to support the girl-child, but it is tough.”
The strain will likely to be mostly felt by Lakers since they do not have the same financial muscle as Hornets.
On average, a team carries 17 people – 12 players, three technical team members and an accompanying referee.
Teams, therefore, would have to fork out roughly US$32 000 for the journey, excluding meals and accommodation, an affiliation fee pegged at US$5000, player registration and allowances.
“I honestly see most teams from Southern Africa failing to participate in this tournament,” added Mbofana.
“Personally, we have not made any announcements to this effect yet.
“We still want to believe we will get the support we want.
“We are still talking to a few of these big corporates and should reach a final decision on Monday (tomorrow).”
Online Reporter