Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
THE Bulawayo Basketball Association chairman Sinda Mono says surprises are in store at this year’s national club championships in Bulawayo from tomorrow to Sunday.
Mono, who won the tournament when known as the Kodak finals in the 1990s, said an explosive tournament is on the cards, with teams expected to bring players from African countries. Winners of the tournament, to be played in both the men’s and women’s categories, will qualify for the African Basketball Club Championships later in the year.
“We look forward to a great tournament with surprises. The tournament is promising to be a thriller, as clubs are strengthening themselves ahead of the championships. The winners will take part in the continental club championships, which is quite a big incentive,” said Mono.
He said clubs were in the process of registering players from other clubs ahead of the championships.
“Today is the deadline day for the registration of players. Reports are that some players will be flown in from Botswana, Egypt, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia, just for this grand event, which showcases what Zimbabwe has in terms of talent, even when blended with foreigners,” said Mono, as he supervised a crew that was erecting the immovable surface and demarcating the court ahead of tomorrow’s games.
The Basketball union of Zimbabwe is believed to be charging US$100 for the transfer of players and is expected to come out with a handsome cheque from the exercise.
Mono said, as hosts of the championships, they were ready and putting the final touches ahead of the games. Top provincial clubs will take part in the tournament, to be held at the city’s traditional home of basketball, the Bulawayo Club of the Disabled Courts.
On the state of preparedness as hosts, Mono said most of the stuff had been attended to, and they were now putting the final touches. The wooden floor pallets had already been fitted, and workmen were enthusiastically measuring the court and putting liners to act as demarcation.
“We have actually done most of the preparations; we are doing final preparations now,” said Mono, with the conviction of a man content with what has been done to that point.
He is not new to the magnitude of games such as these, having hosted several for clubs and provinces.
Bulawayo will be represented by three men’s teams — Mavericks, Lakers, and Legends — with the National University of Science and Technology and Lakers the only ladies’ sides.
In all, 16 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams will fight for honours at the Bulawayo Club of the Disabled.
