adminRicky Zililo Sports Reporter
THE newly elected Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) executive believes capacity building is key to development of the sport in the country. In an interview yesterday, the new Buz secretary-general Joe Mujuru, an ex-Bulawayo Basketball Association official, said it was ikmportant for his executive to ensure that basketball grows beyond Bulawayo and Harare.
Mujuru took over from Watson Muchengeti during Sunday’s elections held in Harare.
“First of all, the thrust is to try and improve the sport at grassroots level to the national teams and we will be putting up provincial structures and make them more visible.
“Actually, what we have realised is that the structures are there in the provinces but what is key is to partner Naph (National Association of Primary Schools Heads) and Nash (National Association of Secondary Schools Heads) because these are key to developing the sport.
“We might not have provincial leagues in some areas but there are schools in every part of Zimbabwe which means that if we capacitate the teachers, then they can impart proper coaching to children,” Mujuru said.
He said after their brief meeting at the elective congress, they realised that what has been stifling the growth of basketball were dysfunctional structures as well as having a few individuals dominating the sport.
Mujuru said it is possible to turn around basketball in Zimbabwe and called on their members to support the new executive.
Addison Chiware of Harare was retained as Buz president while national women’s coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, who is outgoing BBA secretary following his election to the national body, is Buz’s president (technical and development) taking over from Lainos Mushonga.
Forbes Shuva from Harare was elected president (competitions) replacing Simon Lawson while the women and youth portfolio went to Charmaine Chamboko.
National teams manager Shinga Magede was also retained for the athletes commission portfolio.
“We need a collective effort to improve the game and take it to the next level.
“Obviously people may say we need money to turnaround basketball but before we even think of sponsorship, it is important to note that we must expand the sport so that we attract corporate support.
“Companies want to partner projects which they see yield results and for basketball to attract sponsors we have to make sure that the sport is played in every corner of Zimbabwe and then everything else will follow.
“To achieve this feat, we have to work together as Buz management team and the congress which comprises of the country’s 10 provinces as well as Nash and Naph,” said Mujuru.
Online Reporter