30 November 2006
ZIMBABWE : Basketball teams engage Zambia
ZIMBABWE senior men and women basketball teams are set to tour Zambia for a series of friendly matches over the weekend of December 8-11.
Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) interim chairman Addison Chiwara said the matches are part of the preparations for the forthcoming Zone Six preliminary games and the All Africa Games.
“We have just been re-admitted into the international arena so we are preparing for forthcoming fixtures. Zambia have improved a lot and will help us very much in preparing for the Zone Six Games. We also want to thoroughly prepare for the All Africa Games where we hope to win at least a medal,” he said.
Chiware added that Ngoni Mukukula would coach the ladies team while Ronald Garura will be the coach of the men’s team. Zimbabwe had been suspended from international competitions for the past seven years after failing to pay affiliation fees. BUZ paid the US$2 400 that was needed resulting in the country being recalled into the international family.
Chiware also said his association was targeting upgrading the referees to meet international standards.
“We want referees in the country to meet the FIBA standards. This is the only way that they can also be invited to officiate at international competitions,” he said.
Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) interim chairman Addison Chiwara said the matches are part of the preparations for the forthcoming Zone Six preliminary games and the All Africa Games.
“We have just been re-admitted into the international arena so we are preparing for forthcoming fixtures. Zambia have improved a lot and will help us very much in preparing for the Zone Six Games. We also want to thoroughly prepare for the All Africa Games where we hope to win at least a medal,” he said.
Chiware added that Ngoni Mukukula would coach the ladies team while Ronald Garura will be the coach of the men’s team. Zimbabwe had been suspended from international competitions for the past seven years after failing to pay affiliation fees. BUZ paid the US$2 400 that was needed resulting in the country being recalled into the international family.
Chiware also said his association was targeting upgrading the referees to meet international standards.
“We want referees in the country to meet the FIBA standards. This is the only way that they can also be invited to officiate at international competitions,” he said.
# posted by afrbk : 18:07
