Basketball in Africa

SOMALIA became the first country to arrive ahead of this year's Zone Five Basketball Championship starting in Dar es Salaam next Monday. Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Assistant Secretary General, Michael Maluwe said The Somali team jetted in yesterday and it was the first country to arrive among the seven countries that have confirmed to participate in the event.
However, he said, the Somali squad arrives in batches as the first one of six players landed in yesterday and the rest are expected in today. Maluwe said Dar es Salaam is ready to host the tournament, with all necessary preparations in good order. He further said that the hosts are prepared for tough encounters.
Last week TBF announced the squad with a blend of new and old guards as both men's and women's teams gears up to represent the country in the tournament that would also see Kenya, Uganda, Egypt, Rwanda and Burundi bringing in their teams.
"For the whole of next week we expect the National Indoor Stadium will be a centre of activities and the basketball lovers will have the chance to enjoy the games," he said. The men's side dubbed as the Tanzanite King list under coach Bahati Mgunda are Point Guards: Ladislaus Ikungura, Gerald Baru, Abdalah Ramadhani (Dulla) and Henry Mwinuka (kidume).
Shooting Guards are Sudi Abdulrazak, Sylivian Yunzu (Maige), Mussa Chacha, Frankline Simkoko. Small Forward: Mohamed Ally (Dibo), Amir Muhidin Saleh, Lusajo Samwel (captain), Anthony Jeikanga and Erick Kahagwa. Post Player/Centre are Gilbert Batungi, Juma Kisoky, Fadhil Abdalah, Mwalimu Kheri and Murshid Mudricat.
Tanzanite Queens squad has Centre/Post Player: Veronika Kubilu and Penina Igwe. Power Forwad: Jackline Shemeza, Jasmin Mamdali Bablia and Diana Mwaka. Small Forward: Imelda Hango, Amina Lyamaiga and Veronica Patric. Off guards: Sajda Lymaiga, Zakia Kondo and Husna Alphan. Point Guards: Semeni Abeid, Jokha Suleiman, Rehema Silomba and Lucy Agustino.