The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
IVAN SAKUPWANYA may be gone, but the legacy he left in the Mabvuku basketball community will live on.
As the first chairman of Harare Basketball Association outfit, Eastern Lakers, Sakupwanya was a father, leader, and guiding light to many in the high-density suburb of Mabvuku during the 1990s.
And, days after his death and burial, many of the people and former players whose lives he touched continue to mourn him.
The former basketball administrator lost his battle to a long illness last Monday.
He was conferred with provincial hero status, prior to his burial at Warren Hills Cemetery on October 21.
Those who worked with or under him have been pouring glowing tributes for the man best known for his passion for both the Mabvuku area and basketball.
“We have lost a big brother and father figure to most,” said former Lakers’ captain John ‘Monster’ Tawakali.
“My first impression of the late Sakupwanya was love, as he had a liking and eagerness to help the youth of the Mabvuku area.
“He was the first chairman of Eastern Lakers back in the 1990s and helped a lot when it came to getting the club going.
“Many will speak of how he helped financially, but it went beyond that. He was not just a benefactor and chairman. He was also our biggest fan.
“He would always come to our games, cheer us on and this helped mostly when the chips were down.
“We never wanted to disappoint him,” said the former skipper.
William Chimuchere, the revered founding coach and Lakers player, echoed Tawakali’s sentiments.
Chimuchere worked closely with the late Sakupwanya.
“When I first met the late Sakupwanya and we discussed the Lakers project, I remember he was so impressed with what we wanted to accomplish,” Chimuchere said.
“The goal was to take these kids off the streets and drugs, and give them an alternative.
“Our shared desire to save these kids from drugs led to a friendship, and later saw us come together at the Lakers project, together with Eddie Kutyauripo.
“Little did we know that it would become so big and would go onto produce players that continue to make an impact within and outside our borders.
“Eastern Lakers have produced players that have gone on scholarships outside the country, as well as referees and coaches,” he said.
Chimuchere is credited by many as the founder of Eastern Lakers back in the early 1990s, under the then Mashonaland Basketball Association.
Among the club’s more notable achievements was a 20-game unbeaten run in the MBA B’ League, a feat they achieved during the 1993/94 season.
Ironically, the club almost failed to make their A’ League debut due to financial woes, with Sakupwanya coming to their rescue and paying their affiliation fees.
They won the High-density Extravaganza basketball tournament in 1995, beating Cavaliers in the final, and secured a third-place finish in the Kodak Championship Cup the following year.
While not predominately known for their on-court achievements, the Lakers’ biggest contribution to the sport was producing some of today’s biggest stars and names.
Among them are the likes of former Zimbabwe international Helena Nyagato, Vixens head coach Simon Lawson, Michael Nhira, Martin Muchena (based in Zambia), Simbarashe Gwishiri, Tinashe Mavhima and Martin Masunda.
