CRDB Taifa Cup brightens Tanga
LISA Masanja scored 26 points and took 12 rebounds as Mbeya thrashed Tabora 72-17 points in the ongoing CRDB Taifa Cup at Mkwakwani Stadium courts on Saturday.
The winners dominated the match right from the start, giving their opponents a hard time to retaliate.
Tabora could not match the pace in scoring as their defence was not strong enough to overcome the threats.
Restidious Kashasha took 10 points for their side as Magreth Patrick took six rebounds and Milliam Richard made three blocks.
Unguja women were also too good on the day as they handed Lindi a 89-26 blitz in another one-sided duel.
CRDB Youth also saw off Kigoma by 64-14 while Mwanza (women) had a tough 48-41 win over Kilimanjaro at the same venue.
Hosts Tanga also brightly started their CRDB Taifa Cup campaign after beating Kigoma 49-26 in their opening match at Bandari Courts as Iringa saw off Kilimanjaro with a 72-63 win at Mkwakwani Stadium court yesterday.
The men’s opening games also saw Mtwara defeating their neighbours Lindi 73-32 in another match at Mkwakwani Stadium.
This year’s tournament was graced by Tanga Regional Commissioner Omary Mgunda who hailed the organisers and the event’s main sponsor, CRDB Bank for supporting the government’s efforts to promote sports and arts.
Speaking prior to the opening of the tournament that features men and women’s teams from the Tanzania Mainland and Isles, Mgunda hailed CRDB’s sponsorship saying the bank has played a part in producing young talents from all over the country.
Adding he said this event will influence young basketball players to grow wings and become international stars like Hasheem Thabeet who had a playing stint in NBA in the United States.
He also said that through the improved scholarships that CRDB has been providing, many of basketball players who are enrolled in universities and colleges have been able to find opportunities in various sectors.
He said the scholarships also encourage parents to allow their children to engage in various sporting events since they create jobs and income.
Speaking earlier at the same event, the manager of the CRDB bank in the Northern Region, Chiku Issa said in supporting the government, her institution has been a key development stakeholder in the region where it supports various social development projects.
She further highlighted that the bank also provided a total of 40m/- for the construction of two classrooms and a teacher’s office in Chuda, the school which will be launched this year.
The opening ceremony of this year’s CRDB Taifa Cup was coloured by several entertainment as musician Mzee wa Bwax won hearts of spectators who showed up at Bandari Courts in Tanga Municipality.
CRDB has been sponsoring the National Basketball Championship, dubbed CRDB Taifa Cup for three consecutive years. Dar es Salaam is the reigning champions in both men and women discipline.
