Life goes on for MBA

Sports Reporter
AFTER snubbing this year’s edition of the national inter-club competitions played during Easter holiday in April, Mutare basketball teams return to action with a season opening tournament slated for Raylton Sports Club tomorrow (Saturday).

City Sophists were crowned 2014 Independence tournament champions after outplaying Dangamvura Knights in the finals of a hastily organised Easter holiday tournament that was played after clubs refused to partake in the national inter-club competitions.

Five teams from Manicaland were scheduled to participate in the 2014 national inter-club basketball competitions, but the Manicaland Basketball Association (MBA) made a decision to snub the tournament after it felt hard done by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s decision to deny the eastern border city the right to host the tournament this year.

However, life goes on for MBA and tomorrow almost all clubs in Mutare save for teacher-training institutions whose players are on holiday, will take part in a season opening tournament.

Newly appointed MBA publicist, who once served as the association’s secretary-general, Tau Dhliwayo, confirmed that a season opening tournament has already been arranged for all Mutare teams. “We are happy to announce that we will have a pre-season tournament at Raylton Sports Club on Saturday and all our teams have confirmed participation.

“The tournament starts at 10am. We have the ladies’ teams as well as those for males. Our league matches will be starting on September 6,” he said.

Africa University, City Sophists, Mercenaries, Dangamvura Knights, Chiefs, Florida Hawks, Sakubva Hurricane and Chikanga Hustlaz make up the list of participating teams in the males’ category, while Africa University, Eagles and Sharks will be competing in the ladies’ category.

Marymount Teachers’ College, Mutare Polytechnic and Mutare Teachers’ College will not be part of the competition owing to the on-going schools holiday.