Story by Mthokozisi Dube
BULAWAYO is set to host Zimbabwe’s premier club basketball competition, with the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) confirming the national championships will run from May 1 to 3 at the Bulawayo Club for Disabled (BCD).
BUZ president Francis Dube said the tournament will bring together top clubs from across the country.
“National championships are basically the premium showcase of club basketball in Zimbabwe. This is where all champions from all across all 10 provinces of the country will be taking part. This time we have a bigger number of teams. We have 16 men’s teams and 10 women teams,” he said.
The competition will also serve as a pathway to continental tournaments.
“Basically, what it means is that the champions are going to represent the country at a tournament called Basketball Africa League (BAL). First, they will be trained to qualify regionally which is our zone six and then they go on to qualify for the African championships. While for women they will go into African championships qualifiers. So the winner of the tournament is basically like the champions league for soccer teams -Scottland representing Zimbabwe,” he said.
The championships are expected to attract the country’s top basketball talent, with teams competing for national honours and a chance to represent Zimbabwe on the continental stage.
