MWANZA Region Basketball Association (MRBA) said it is now ready to stage the regional basketball league that starts here today at Mirongo basketball court.
Speaking with the ‘Daily News on Saturday ‘ at Mirongo Court yesterday, the MRBA chairman, Mtaki Sunday called upon the basketball fans in Mwanza to turn up in big numbers so they can enjoy the league.
He said they expect to have nine men’s teams and three women’s teams.
Some of the men teams expected to participate are Planet, Octopus, Eagles, St Augustine University of Tanzania (SAUT), Kings, Dolphins, CIC and Butimba Spiders. He said women teams will include Super Lady, Profile Queens, Orotori and CIC Queens.
He said the champion of the regional league for men will receive 1m/- cash prize, a coveted trophy and medals while the champion in the women’s category will pocket 500,000/- and the runner up will receive 300,000/-.
He said the best players, disciplined players, best coaches and best referees will also receive rewards.
On his side basketball stakeholder, Alphonce Kusekwa has promised to cooperate with MRBA and the former basketball players inside and outside Mwanza region so as to improve the game and the league.
Mwanza City Sports Officer, Mohamed Bitegeko has congratulated MRBA for its efforts to promote the development of basketball in the region.
He congratulated government efforts for introducing basketball in the inter primary schools games this year. “Mwanza is one of the regions that produced great talents including Atiki Ally who is playing basketball at a college in the United States. There are also Sisko George, Emmanuel Chacha who play for the national team’’ He said.
He called upon other stakeholders to come and support the game, currently the government is giving more strength to this area of sports believing that it will provide many jobs for young people.
On his side MRBA league sponsors The Cask Bar and Grill Acasius Mukandara said they will continue to sponsor the league.
“We have planned to make this league among the best in the region and neighbouring regions’’ he said.
