The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
MASVINGO and Bulawayo will this year host the country’s premier basketball competitions, the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s Inter-provincials and the National League.
The competitions, together with the Bob 92, are expected to headline the round-up of the 2015/16 season which ends in May.
First up will be the Bob 92 Cup, which has been slated for the first week of March, and will this year attract an increased number of foreign teams. According to the program released by the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe, all of the country’s 10 basketball playing provinces are expected to send representatives while four foreign teams are expected to grace the tournament.
“We have already begun preparations for this year’s Bob Cup, which will again be held in the capital,” said Forbes Shuva, Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s Competitions’ head.
“The competition will be held during the first week of March, after the traditional 21st February celebrations.
“The only thing to change during this year’s edition is the number of foreign teams as Zambia has already committed to send two basketball teams, while Botswana and Swaziland are expected send in a team each, he said.
Harare retains its four slots with traditional giants JBC, Cameo, Raiderz and a yet to be confirmed fourth team. While the fourth team is yet to be finalised, indications are pointing to Mufakose-based Hustlers getting the nod.
The Inter-provincials will be up next, and this year’s edition will be held in Masvingo during the Easter weekend.
The National League will round up the local basketball season and will be held in Bulawayo during the first weekend of May.
“We have called on all provinces to select and bring their Under-18 teams to Masvingo, as this year’s edition of the Inter-provincials will be used as trials for the Under-18 national team.
“Due to financial constrains gripping the sport, it was always going to be difficult to call up all the country’s basketball provinces for the inter-pros and then make them send their juniors for trials later on.
“Zimbabwe is expected to travel to South Africa to participate in the qualifiers for Under-18 Zone Six basketball tournament and to cut costs, we have decided to use the Inter-provincials as trials for the Under-18s.
“The team, which we will announce after the finals, will immediately go into camp to begin their preparations.
“We are yet to get official communication on the actual dates of the qualifiers, but that cannot stop us from getting an early jump on things.
“Already we have sent our Secretary General, Joe Mujuru, to visit and inspect Masvingo’s preparedness to host the event and the report he brought back was satisfactory,” he said.
