16 September 2012

Tanzania: Quartet to Pick National Basketball Team

A TEAM of four local coaches has embarked on a scouting exercise for talented basketball players, who will form a men and women national team that will benefit of the technical skills from the newly hired US coach Albert Sokaitis.
The Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Vice-President, Phares Magesa named the local coaches as Everist Mapunda (Pazi), Leonard Kwale (ABC), Agnella Semwaiko (Don Bosco Lioness) and Bahati Mgunda (Vijana). Magesa said they are supposed to accomplish the assignment by early next week, giving room for the coach to take up his new task on September 22.
He said they have signed a four-year contract with the coach from the US, one of the world's best basketball playing nations, in efforts to turn around Tanzania's basketball fortunes. Magesa said the US Embassy in the country is supporting the federation's in bringing in the coach to the country.
He further said the embassy in the country has offered to foot accommodation costs for the new coach, who is also charged with the task of conducting numerous courses for local coaches. He said the TBF is also still discussing with the government to see into it that they offer support in terms of paying salary to the coach.
His first task will be to guide the national team the next edition of FIBA Zone Five Championship, which Tanzania will host in December with twelve African countries expected to compete in the championship.
"He will be assisted by his compatriot Jocquis Sconiers. I am optimistic they will propel our national team to the higher heights of success because they both boast vast knowledge on various issues pertaining to the sport," insisted Magesa. Meanwhile, this year's Taifa Cup basketball championship will take place in Tanga from September 20 to 27.

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