Regina Mundi to host Basketball Union of Zimbabwe national finals

BASKETBALL Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) president Joe Mujuru has said preparations for the national club championships are going smoothly, with the union now awaiting the conclusion of various provincial leagues.

The national championships are set to be held from May 2-4, at Regina Mundi High School in Gweru.

Mujuru said Buz is working flat out to stage a memorable tournament.

“As Buz, we have been running around to make sure we play host to a highly successful competition. I would say the preparations are going well and what we are just waiting on now, is the conclusion of the provincial leagues, which we expect to have been concluded by April 20. After the league programmes are complete, we will then have the full list of teams set to contest in the national finals,” said Mujuru.

“In terms of representation, this is the best format we have had over the years. We have six active leagues in Zimbabwe which are Harare, Bulawayo, Manicaland, Midlands, Masvingo and Mashonaland Central. We do not have active leagues in Mashonaland East, West and Matabeleland South and North, which takes them out of the equation for the national league.

Every province with a running league is included ,which makes representation fair,” said Mujuru.

Buz has introduced a new format for the annual national club championships.

According to the new format, in the men’s category, automatic qualification will be awarded to the top four Harare Basketball Association (HBA) teams and the top two teams from the Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA). A province has to have at least four teams participating in their provincial league, to be considered for this national league.

It follows therefore that Mashonaland East, West, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South do not meet these requirements and will not be taking part.

The men’s pool for the national league will have 10 teams, with the women’s having eight teams.

HBA hosts both champions in this case. JBC men and UZ Stars women are the defending champions. — @innocentskizoe.