The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
VENGERE High School was a hive of activity last Saturday when teams from Rusape, Nyazura and Mutare converged for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament.
Five men’s teams and a ladies team took part in the tournament. The event was organised by Kriste Mambo High School coach and Africa Outreach USA project director, Nash Majoni.
“Our organisation is committed to breaking the poverty cycle for disadvantaged children across Africa. The organisation deploys youth sports programmes (basketball, soccer and volleyball) as game changers to empower underserved children.
“3 on 3 is a fairly new basketball phenomenon which is a departure from the usual 5 on 5 with a different set of rules. The whole nation is embracing this form of basketball. It is played by three players on the court and one substitute.
“The teams that took part were from Mutare, Rusape and Nyazura. We held the tournament for the first time in Manicaland. We hope to cover all the seven districts of Manicaland.
“We once had a player from Kriste Mambo, Tanyaradzwa Mugaradziko, who represented Africa in the World 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament in China last year.
‘‘We thought of introducing the sport since we do have talent in the province. Harare Province has already started and they will be hosting a tournament in February. We will also work with NAPH and NASH to introduce the sport in primary and secondary schools,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manicaland Basketball Association (MBA) matches resumes next weekend after breaking for the festive season. MBApresident Tonderai Shasha said they were looking forward to a good finish to the season.
“The league will be exciting this second half with a lot of transfers. Teams will also be preparing for the National Club Championships to be held in April. There have been a lot of changes in the ladies’ teams, with Wolves bringing in new players mostly from high school to boost their team. We will also have Mutare Poly, Marymount Teachers’ College and Mutare Teachers’ College who will be joining us in the Developmental League.
‘‘We wanted to resume our games this weekend, but we had to push them to next week so that these three clubs put their house in order,” said Shasha.
Chikanga Hustlers will battle against Hurricanes, while Dangamvura Knights will take on Mutare Boys’ High School. City Sophists will clash with Chiefs. Florida Knights will play against Mercenaries. In the ladies section, Mutare Girls’ High School Club will clash with Dangamvura Knights. The school girls will also battle it out with Wolves.
