Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
BASKETBALL new-boys Basket Hounds are a team on a mission.
The Vitalis Chikoko-owned club have set their sights on one day joining African basketball’s elite at the Basketball African League (BAL).
However, before they can take their seat on the continent’s high table at the annual competition, they will have to wait their turn.
The recent introduction of the Harare Basketball Association (HBA) Super Six has complicated matters for the team, as last year’s top-six teams occupy available slots in the Harare provincial league.
These include champions Foxes, JBC, Varsity Leopards, UZ Stars, Raiderz and Arcadia Bucs, while the women’s category includes reigning champions Vixens, UZ Sparks, Raiderz, Bunnies, JBC and Greenstars.
This leaves the team with one of two options: Either buy the franchise of a team in the HBA ‘A’ league or start from the bottom at HBA ‘B’ League and work their way up.
“The Super Six is already off the table,” said Basket Hounds coach and vice chairperson Tawanda Nemutambwa.
“However, we are currently in talks about acquiring the franchise of a team that is plying its trade in the A’ League, and, while I cannot reveal the identity of the team, the deal is like 90 percent done.
“It’s either that or we start at the bottom and work our way up.”
Basket Hounds recently completed their trails, which attracted over 80 players.
They have already started training with a full complement of 19 registered players ahead of the upcoming HBA 2022/2023 season.
Nemutambwa said it was only recently that his long-held ambition of starting a club together with Chikoko came together.
“The goal here is to identify and groom the next Vitalis Chikoko,” he said.
“If you know anything about how he came up, he did not necessarily have the backing and support structure one needs to succeed.
“We want to change that for the next generation.”
The team is mainly targeting players between 17 and 25.
“Those still in school will have all their fees taken care of.
“It is also his (Chikoko) way of giving back to the local basketball community.”
Basket Hounds also dreams of entering the continent’s basketball arena.
“The BAL (Basketball Africa League) is the end game,” added Nemutambwa.
“While we are still in the infancy stages of the club’s creation, we hope to make it to the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe National League and qualify for the Basketball Africa League.”
Basket Hounds’ Squad
Irvine Manzini, Innocent Zhomwa, Munyaradzi Manyeza, Tashinga Chiimba, Ntini Manoah, Tavonga Muvezwa, Kudakwashe Chimani, Victor Bingura, Dalvin Chitauro, Tatenda James, Tanaka Ndyara, Proud Bvochora, Garry Nyagurungo, Templeton Mukwesha, Tafadzwa Kahari, Tamuka Chikanya, Panashe Dyakonda, Sidney Bobo, Dumisani Chingono
Online Reporter