The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
THE Harare Basketball Association has decided to slap five clubs that took part in last weekend’s national championships with “gross insubordination” charges.
The HBA resolved to boycott the championships in protest against Bulawayo hosting them for the second consecutive year; but JBC, Cameo Sigauke, Hustlers, Vixens and Green Stars made the trip.
JBC even went on to scoop the men’s title after beating Cameo Sigauke 62-57 in an all-Harare final.
HBA secretary-general Andrew Chitauro fumed, “I am totally disappointed, no disgusted, by the clubs’ decision to ignore our directive. The decision to boycott the championships was not my idea but a decision made by the congress, which is the highest authority within our structures. It was arrived after consultation with every club.
“It was the clubs that resolved to abscond after they all agreed that the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s decision to ignore us as potential hosts and award the games to Bulawayo again was unfair.
“Now, for these five clubs to go on and attend the games does not paint us in a good light, both as an association and as a collective unit.”
An independent disciplinary committee will be assembled in the coming days to preside over the hearing, Chitauro added.
Interestingly, one of the clubs that ignored the HBA directive, new men’s champions JBC, is owned by Basketball Union of Zimbabwe president Addison Chiware.
Chiware would not comment on the boardroom upheavals but hailed his team for adding another gong to the cabinet.
“We have had a terrific season this year- winning the league, defending our national title and reaching the finals of the Bob@92 Basketball tournament.
“I have eight national championship rings now, three with the ladies team and five with the men’s team … just two shy of making it a perfect 10.
“As far as the other issues go, I cannot comment much except to say that this is a Harare Basketball Association in-house matter, and as such I cannot comment from the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s perspective,” he said.
Meanwhile, Southern Mavericks won the women’s title after beating Bulawayo rivals Lakers 63-45.
The four finalists – JBC, Cameo Sigauke, Southern Mavericks and Lakers – will represent Zimbabwe at this year’s Fiba Africa Region 5 Club Championships.
