Lakers ready for regional games

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO-based Lakers women’s team, which is set to represent Zimbabwe at next week’s Zone 6 Basketball Club Championships, says it’s ready to hoist the country’s flag.

Lakers will represent the country alongside Vixens women’s team from Harare as well as Foxes and City Hornets of Harare, who will compete in the men’s category.

The tournament, to be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, has attracted teams from Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, Malawi and hosts Zimbabwe, and will run from October 20-29.

Porcia Dube, the Lakers’ manager, said morale was high in camp following their victory in a Bulawayo Basketball League pre-season tournament played on Friday.

Lakers beat Southern Mavericks 18-14 to claim the season’s opening tournament.

“The girls have been working hard and their focus is on the regional tournament where we will be competing against some of the best sides. The good thing is that this is our second year in the Zone 6 Club Championships and the girls know what to expect,” said Dube.

Last year, Lakers came fourth out of eight teams at the Zone 6 Club Championships held in Botswana.

Dube fancies her team’s qualification chances for the continental championships that will be staged next month in Mozambique.

With defending continental women’s champions Primero de Augosto of Angola and Mozambique’s Ferroviario de Maputo out of the tournament having already qualified for next month’s tournament, the top two women’s teams from the ZITF games will proceed to Maputo.

Lakers will compete against Vixens, tournament favourites Inter Clube of Angola and Malawi’s Brave Hearts.

Dube, whose side is also facing financial challenges, appealed for assistance from well-wishers.

“On the technical side we are ready. On the administrative side, we are working round the clock to try and secure accommodation for the girls as we are facing some financial challenges. We are also appealing for financial assistance for the players’ upkeep during the tournament,” said Dube. — @ZililoR