adminBlessing Rwizi
MANICALAND Basketball Association will use this week’s matches to select the provincial teams that will compete in the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe interprovincial competitions to be held in Masvingo from March 24 to 27.
The matches will be played at Mutare Boys’ High School on Saturday (tomorrow) from 9am till late.
Mutare Basketball Association spokesperson, Taurai Dhliwayo, said they were expecting at least 15 teams to take part in the provincial team selection games.
“Mutare Teachers’ College, Marymount Teachers’ College, Mutare Polytechnic, Africa University, Mercenaries, Dangamvura Knights, Dangamvura Sixers, Saints, Chikanga Hustlerz, Sophists, Chiefs, Rusape Giants, Hurricanes, Wolves and Sharks will take part in the provincial team selection process.
“Mutare Teachers’ College, Marymount Teachers’ College and Mutare Polytechnic will be curtain raisers, but their best players will be considered too.
“BUZ inter-provincial competitions will also be used to select the Zimbabwe senior national teams that will participate in the Afro-Basketball and All-Africa Games qualifiers whose dates and venues have not yet been announced. However, we are working right round the clock to make sure we get the best from the eastern side that will win selection into the national teams,” said Dhliwayo.
He added that tomorrow’s games would also be used to select the best dunkers and three-point shooters, both males and females.
In an interview, Chikanga Hustlerz’s Nigel Chirara, said: “Being selected into the provincial team is an opportunity that can enable us to go out there and show the talents within us at a national level. Personally I am training harder and looking forward to play at the interprovincial competition and climb further into the national team.”
Mutare’s top DJs, Sachie, O Twice and a local hip-hop and Zim-dancehall artiste, Quad Phenomenal will be there to entertain people.
Besides the matches and music, there will be a variety of beverages and lots of braai on sale.
Online Reporter