DODOMA: THE Tabora Regional basketball men’s team has become the first side to reach the semi-final stage in the ongoing Taifa Cup Basketball tournament in the capital city Dodoma.
Tabora team cruised into the last four after defeating their opponent Iringa with an impressive 76-48 points to sail through today’s knockout stage showdown.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), Communication Officer, Mary Arthur told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday from Dodoma that the quarter-final match played at the Chinangali court in the country’s Capital City was a thrilling and mouthwatering as both sides were looking for the ticket to the last four stage.
Arthur added that after Tabora progressed, three other men’s quarterfinal actions were on the card looking to join Tabora in the semis, and basketball fans were on the verge of witnessing another tough match between Kigoma and Shinyanga.
Also, in yesterday’s quarterfinal fixtures, Manyara was scheduled to play against Mtwara before the hosts Dodoma take on Isles side Unguja.
The annual tournament which brings together regional basketball teams from all over the country in this year’s event has featured 26 men’s and women’s teams. Other men’s teams that participated in the event and were not able to progress were Mara, Mwanza, Rukwa, Kilimanjaro, CRDB Youth, and Morogoro.
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As the tournament entered quarter-finals yesterday Tyrone Edward of Kigoma was the men’s leading scorer accumulating 90 points, followed by Alfan Mustapha of Mtwara hitting 72 points and third Felix Deogratius of Tabora after scoring 55 points.
In the women’s category Jesca Julius of Mara scored 79 points to lead the table, Namsifu Isack of Arusha had 67 points in second and third is Bhone Juma of Unguja. Taifa Cup Basketball defending champions both men and women Dar es Salaam teams were removed into the draw three days before the competition throwoff on June 29th.
The tournament organisers, TBF decided to remove the Dar es Salaam teams at the Taifa Cup draw due to the misunderstanding and disagreement between the Dar es Salaam Basketball Association (BD) and the Dar es Salaam Basketball Clubs (DBC) regarding confirmation of the participation of the defending champions.
This means both titles are vacant and awaiting the new champions in finals which will staged tomorrow.
According to the TBF president, Michael Kadebe, the competition presents an opportunity for players to showcase their talents and as well the federation offering a huge selection for the future national team.
