23 October 2008
NAMIBIA : Tomahawks Are Supreme
by Corry Ihuhua
DOMESTIC basketball powerhouse Tomahawks dismissed Titans 78-71 to land yet another regional men's championships title of the coveted Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) at the weekend.
Leading points scorer Michael Mukumbuta was in uncompromising form when he scored 26 on the day, and was ably assisted by Paulo Cassanga, who went for the net 19 times.
In the first game between the two sides, Tomahawks romped to a 98-94 victory with Cassanga bagging 25 points, while Mukumbuta was in second with a score of 21.
The side won two from its best of three matches to be crowned champions.
They had won the regional title three times before - in 2005, 2003 and 2002.
Also in Saturday's match, Brian Hore contributed 11 points alongside long-serving Nigel Mubita with the same score, while MJ Paulus and Mandume Sakaria scored 7 and 5 points respectively to ensure victory for the 'Hawks.
Civics settled for third spot after they beat Plaza Warriors 74-70.
In the women's matches, Tomahawks were forced to wait a little longer to grab the title by Unam Sparks, as they were beaten 61-55 on Saturday.
Labaka Shangala caused all the damage for the much-fancied Tomahawks women's side, which was destined for a championship title provided they went past the university students in their second match from the best of three.
The Tomahawks women won their first match 66-63, with Meke Namindo producing 14 points, while Iriah Gideon, who was the leading scorer at the weekend with 14 points, managed to contribute 13.
Monde Sibolile and Gideon both produced 14 points for their side at the weekend, while Anna Ipito added a further 16 points to Unam Sparks to keep her side in contention for the title.
The two sides will go into a title decider tomorrow in a match scheduled for the Unam Gymnasium at 19h00.
Tomahawks women also won the title in 2005 and 2003.
NEW COMMITTEE Meanwhile, the secretary general of the KBA, Carlos Manuel, said they will hold a special general meeting which will see the election of new committee members.
The position of chairperson needs to be filled after Daniel Tjongarero resigned, while they are also looking for a new treasurer to replace incumbent Wolgang Kleine.
Tjongarero is still helping out with the logistics, according to Manuel.
Manuel said the association is struggling financially and is hoping to land a sponsor next season to improve the image of the sport and to possibly involve more teams.
Since the withdrawal of Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) from sponsoring the league about three years ago, all has not been well in the league.
The Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF), the umbrella body for the various regional leagues, has also lost its sponsorship deal with NamPower after alleged financial irregularities.
Manuel says they are aiming to convince the private sector to invest in the sport.
At the moment, there are no senior national teams for men or women, and only the under-17 and under-20 sides played competitively this year.
The under-17s were involved in the Ball Games in Walvis Bay, while the under-20 side competed at the CUCSA Games in Malawi.
DOMESTIC basketball powerhouse Tomahawks dismissed Titans 78-71 to land yet another regional men's championships title of the coveted Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) at the weekend.
Leading points scorer Michael Mukumbuta was in uncompromising form when he scored 26 on the day, and was ably assisted by Paulo Cassanga, who went for the net 19 times.
In the first game between the two sides, Tomahawks romped to a 98-94 victory with Cassanga bagging 25 points, while Mukumbuta was in second with a score of 21.
The side won two from its best of three matches to be crowned champions.
They had won the regional title three times before - in 2005, 2003 and 2002.
Also in Saturday's match, Brian Hore contributed 11 points alongside long-serving Nigel Mubita with the same score, while MJ Paulus and Mandume Sakaria scored 7 and 5 points respectively to ensure victory for the 'Hawks.
Civics settled for third spot after they beat Plaza Warriors 74-70.
In the women's matches, Tomahawks were forced to wait a little longer to grab the title by Unam Sparks, as they were beaten 61-55 on Saturday.
Labaka Shangala caused all the damage for the much-fancied Tomahawks women's side, which was destined for a championship title provided they went past the university students in their second match from the best of three.
The Tomahawks women won their first match 66-63, with Meke Namindo producing 14 points, while Iriah Gideon, who was the leading scorer at the weekend with 14 points, managed to contribute 13.
Monde Sibolile and Gideon both produced 14 points for their side at the weekend, while Anna Ipito added a further 16 points to Unam Sparks to keep her side in contention for the title.
The two sides will go into a title decider tomorrow in a match scheduled for the Unam Gymnasium at 19h00.
Tomahawks women also won the title in 2005 and 2003.
NEW COMMITTEE Meanwhile, the secretary general of the KBA, Carlos Manuel, said they will hold a special general meeting which will see the election of new committee members.
The position of chairperson needs to be filled after Daniel Tjongarero resigned, while they are also looking for a new treasurer to replace incumbent Wolgang Kleine.
Tjongarero is still helping out with the logistics, according to Manuel.
Manuel said the association is struggling financially and is hoping to land a sponsor next season to improve the image of the sport and to possibly involve more teams.
Since the withdrawal of Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) from sponsoring the league about three years ago, all has not been well in the league.
The Namibia Basketball Federation (NBF), the umbrella body for the various regional leagues, has also lost its sponsorship deal with NamPower after alleged financial irregularities.
Manuel says they are aiming to convince the private sector to invest in the sport.
At the moment, there are no senior national teams for men or women, and only the under-17 and under-20 sides played competitively this year.
The under-17s were involved in the Ball Games in Walvis Bay, while the under-20 side competed at the CUCSA Games in Malawi.
# posted by afrbk : 15:34
