The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE good news for the local basketball family is that Harare Basketball League (HBL) might return earlier than expected.
It is now believed the league could begin as early as January 14.
However, as coronavirus continues to evolve, three clubs in the Harare Basketball B League have since been disbanded, raising fears that this could spill into the basketball top-flight league.
HBL secretary-general Tinashe Nyamuziwa confirmed that three teams — Swagou, Gladiator Knights and Harare City Hornets B — will not return when the league resumes.
“Our top-flight basketball league was not affected, but the ‘B’ league has been affected by the withdrawal of three teams.
“Harare City Hornets teams in league B, Gladiator Knights and Swagou, have all disbanded after failing to come together after the Christmas break,” said Nyamuziwa.
“We are seeking partnership for our league like what Sakunda Holdings is doing to our football league, but it has been tough.
“The pandemic has worsened the financial situation of many clubs.
“Last year, SRC (Sports and Recreation Commission) helped us secure the City Sports Centre, which was the venue for the tournament that we hosted before the commencement of the 2021/2022 season, but that is just about it.”
The HBL, he added, had to submit a
Covid-19 medical masterplan to SRC for approval before the beginning of the league last year.
“We got permission from the SRC to first host the tournament last year before the resumption of the league. There is also a normal temperature check for teams during the two-day training week.
“All of our players are fully vaccinated, and each player is required to provide a negative PCR test every 48 hours.”
Harare City Hornets chairperson Sunny Mbofana confirmed the temporary disbandment of the ladies and men’s developmental teams.
“We basically disbanded the two teams because the HBA had no proper structures to accommodate two of our junior teams.
“We ended up having to register two teams in the same league, and we thought this will not help our cause of trying to develop players.
“The men’s developmental side had no games all season and there was a budgetary measure following indications that the sponsors were reducing their figures.
“We still look forward to more structured and bigger but less expensive Hornets junior policies that will take in all the council primary schools in the near future,” said Mbofana.
The league, which started in November, is set to resume on January 14 after a festive season break for both the men and female categories.
