Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
Basketball legend Ngoni Mukukula who died Sunday has been laid to rest at Glen Forest Memorial Park in Harare.
The heavens have opened, and the rains have been pounding but that did not deter multitudes from mourning the departed basketball legend Ngoni Mukukula.
They say your works follow you to the grave and that has been proven to be true as a cross-section of sporting personalities gathered at Glen Forest Memorial Park to pay their last respects.
Government officials, sports administrators and professionals descended at the graveside of a man who contributed so much to the development of basketball in Zimbabwe.
His works prompted the government to accord a state-assisted funeral for Mukukula who passed away on Sunday.
Speaking at the church service that was held earlier in the day, the Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts & Culture Honourable Emily Jesaya challenged the basketball community to emulate Mukukula.
“Look at the people who are in this church, all respected people some of whom have never been to Dzivaresekwa, but they all decided to be here to honour someone who worked hard to take basketball to the masses and he did not end there, he made sure it was continuously played. This is a fest that we should all strive to follow and build our country,” said the Deputy Minister.
Hoops 4 Hope Founder, Mark Crandal who worked closely with Mukukula on various programmes flew from New York, United States to pay his last respects.
He said, “You are mourning and I can tell you that you are not alone the whole of Africa and the world over are mourning the loss of Ngoni. 30 years ago, I met him and he only wanted to make sure that all the kids have access to play basketball and he also made sure they have equipment. He changed the face of basketball in Zimbabwe.”
Mukukula played a stellar role in the development of basketball in the country especially in high-density suburbs.
The charismatic baller also renovated basketball courts in Dzivaresekwa, Glen View, Mbare, Mabvuku and Mufakose to mention a few.
He also facilitated training for young athletes in the United States of America through his initiative, Basketball Without Borders.
They say legends do not die but move on to the next life, Ngoni Mukukula has moved on but his works live forever.
