Mercenaries shine

Tinashe Hazvide
THE three-day national inter-club basketball championship tournament that was held on the Easter holidays here in Mutare saw three male category teams from Manicaland getting a spot in the top 10.

This was also the first time the province had a team from the female category, Sharks, which competed in the tournament and managed to get a place in the top ten.

The Manicaland Basketball Association technical president, Mr Tonderai Shasha, expressed joy at the way the Manicaland teams played.

“As a board we were happy that we managed to have three teams in the top ten though most people were expecting mercenaries to win the championships. They, however, did not disappoint as they managed scoop the bronze medal and we are proud of them.

“The tournament was marred by cash shortages as we did not have enough sponsorship to cater for the required items but we managed to pull through following help from some business people,” said Mr Shasha.

Some of the teams like Highlanders from Bulawayo pulled out of the tournament due to lack of financial sponsorship and was replaced by Morningside Chiefs.

Mercenaries, who came out third in the championship, dominated all its games before it was knocked out in the semi-finals by JBC from Harare.

This year’s champions in the male category were JBC from Harare which thrashed Cameo from Harare 49-39 and the third position was claimed by the Manicaland’s Mercenaries which defeated Unicorns from Gweru by 74-54.

Vixens from Harare dominated the ladies category when they defeated the green stars 70-50. JBC defeated Mavericks from Bulawayo 55-42 to claim the third position.

Mr Shasha said the business community in Mutare showed love for the game when they sponsored the kits for the winning teams.

“We would like to thank Mutare bottling company, Safegurad for security, Volt sport for donating the kit, Isau Mupfumi for providing the food for the referees, Balmoral for providing accommodation and Barcode for providing entertainment. We also would like to thank the people of Manicaland for coming in their numbers to support the game and for maintaining peace,” he said.