Zimbabwe prepares for Afrobasketball qualifiers

BASKETBALL Union of Zimbabwe (Buz) president Joe Mujuru says they are now tasked with ensuring the national Under-18 teams get adequate preparations for the Afrobasket qualifiers set for Zambia next month.

Buz has a busy schedule for junior teams this year.

First is the Under-18 Afrobasket qualifier set for Zambia, followed by the Under-16 African Union Sports Council Region V Afrobasket qualifiers in Namibia later in the year.

Zimbabwe is set to field teams in both the boys and girls categories for the Zambia Under-18 competition.

“With schools having now opened our teams are busy with training. Remember, we started trials for team selection last year around the country and I believe the coaches are doing their best to build competitive teams,” said Mujuru.

He also called on well-wishers to assist with any modalities needed to have the team get adequate preparations.

“We are calling on the business community as well as corporates who would love to chip in and help in any way to come forward as this will help us have smooth preparations for the competition we hope to excel in,” said Mujuru.

Mujuru says the strides they are making in trying to popularise the game of basketball in schools will help them grow the sport.

World basketball governing body, Fiba has introduced female teams for the Basketball Africa League and the involvement of junior teams is expected to aid the development of the sport. – @innocentskizoe