JMK Park: It’s 41-team hoops showpiece

MBONILE BURTONDecember 16, 2022

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ALL is set as over 41 youth teams are ready to showcase their skills at the JMK Open Basketball tournament.

The three-day tournament tips off today and winds up on Sunday at the Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete (JMK) Park in Dar es Salaam and the tournament organised by JMK Park, brings together youth teams from across the country.

JMK Park basketball Jr NBA Coordinator, Bahati Mgunda said in Dar es Salaam yesterday, that preparation for the epic event has been finalised and that they are pleased to have 41 teams in the race for the event’s top titles.

He said the teams have been pooled into different age categories; Under-18 Boys and girls, Under-16 Boys and Girls and Under 14-Boys and Girls.

Coach Mgunda named the U-18 boy’s teams as JMK Park, Don Rua (Dar), Premiere Academy, Rising Stars Academy, Unmatched, Yombo Academy from Dar es Salaam while Minaki (Coastal Region) and Stone Town are from Zanzibar.

Girls U-18 category, according to Mgunda has Mchenga, City Queen, Mazzarero, Premiere (Dar), Orkeeswa Blue and Orkeeswa Red.

The U-16 girls comprises Ukonga, Oratory, Hooplife (Dar), Itigi (Singida) and Orkeeswa (Arusha) and boys teams are Kurasini Jr, Bosco Jr, Hooplife (Dar), Itigi (Singida), Mtaani (Arusha) and Stone Town (Zanzibar)

In the boys U-14, there are Pamoja, Mtaani (Arusha), Ukonga, Unmatched, Kurasini Jr, Gareli, Rinadi, Premiere Academy, Pazi Kids (Dar), Stone Town, Yes we can (Zanzibar).

The girls U-14 teams include Mtaani, Pamoja (Arusha) and Ukonga of Dar es Salaam.

According to Mgunda, the event is aimed at giving youths an important platform to showcase their talent which is a good thing for the future of the game.

“We understand that during this period schoolboys and girls are on holidays so it is an ideal time to bring them together. We also complement the good support from all stakeholders who responded to our call.

“We believe we will have a wonderful tournament full of entertainment as the game heads to a good direction when it comes to junior players’ development,” he added.