Chronicle Editor
Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
THE much-anticipated start of the Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) Elite League suffered a setback as two out of the three Week One fixtures had to be called off due to a power outage at the Khanyisile Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms caused the power outage which resulted in bad light inside the venue and the association was left with no choice but to abandon games with only one match having been played.
In the only game of the day, Giants beat Highlanders 84-51.
The two remaining fixtures were meant to see Nust taking on Southern Mavericks while Lakers Talen Vision had a date with Legends.
BBA Secretary General Francis Dube said they have no choice but to reschedule the matches.
“We now have to look for another date so we can have the two matches played. It was not the start we expected but the situation was beyond our control and we are looking forward to clearing the backlog soon,” said Dube.
The Elite League is a new division that has been introduced this year to improve the competitiveness of the top men’s league.
Six teams will take part in the pilot league. The teams that finished in the top four last season which are Legends, Mavericks, Lakers and Giants have automatic qualification into the Elite League.
Highlanders who finished first in the B League have the fifth slot.
While Nust A joined the league after winning the Elite League Qualifiers.
-@innocentskizoe
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter