Basketball in Africa

THE top six finishers in last year’s Men’s division 1A league championship have accepted an invitation to participate in the inaugural edition of the Baya Sports Club two-day this weekend.The tournament will dribble off at 5 p.m. on Friday and all action will be at Victoria Gymnasium and with six matches on the opening day. The semifinal, third place playoff and final will be played on Saturday at the Palais des Sports as from 2 p.m.

The six teams have been divided into two pools of three – A and B. Baya are in pool A along with Premium Cobras and Cascade Bullets, while pool B is made up of PLS Hawks, MBU Rockers and SMB Razorbacks.
The order of matches on day one is as follows: Baya v Cascade Bullets (pool A), PLS Hawks v SMB Razorbacks (pool B), Premium Cobras v/s Cascade Bullets (pool A), MBU Rockers v/s SMB Razorbacks (pool B), Baya v/s Premium Cobras (pool A) and MBU Rockers v/s PLS Hawks (pool B).

All teams have confirmed their participation and tickets will cost R10 for children below 12 years old and R20 for children above 12 years old, and adults.
Baya Sports Club president Hervé Anthony told Sports Nation yesterday that other than the cash prize of between R1,500 and R2,000, the tournament winners will get a floating trophy.
This means that Baya Sports Club, who also comprises the Bel Air women’s basketball team and the Baya Boxing Club, wants the Baya Basketball Tournament to become a yearly event. But all will depend on the kind of success the inaugural edition enjoys.
The runners-up will pocket R1,000 and the third place finishers R500.
Anthony, who is also the manager of the men’s national basketball team, took the opportunity to send a message to all teams’ supporters.
“I call on all supporters to support their teams in the best possible manner. Avoid insulting and swearing at officials and referees. If supporters continue to mis-treat game’s officials, I’m sure the little group of people who are still giving their time to make sure the sport runs well, will give up. It won’t be good for the sport of basketball,” said Anthony.

G. G.