CHANG'OMBE United started the National
Basketball League (NBL) on higher note, following their 68-61 victory
over Dodoma Warriors at the National Indoor Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
The winners started slowly in the first quarter of the game in which their opponents Warriors were leading by 25-16.
United turned the score and took command of the game in the second quarter which they won 32-27.
In the third quarter, the Dodoma lads recovered and matched their
opponent's pace but slightly trailed 47-42. The Temeke boys accumulated
21-19 points in the last quarter to win the match.
Warriors' Emmanuel Jonas led his team after scoring 20 points,
followed by United's Athuman Mangase, who managed to score 19 points. In
another game held at the same venue Kurasini defeated PTW 55-37 points.
PTW started brightly to take a 15-13 lead in the first quarter,
before Kurasini took control in the second and third quarters after
scoring 9-8 and 19-7 points respectively.
Commenting on the event Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF),
Secretary General Saleh Zonga said the league has started well and they
expect to scrutinize talents from the on-going league which will be
developed through several scholarship granted through the sport.
Meanwhile, Cosmas Mlekani reports that Tanzania basketball is
experiencing a landmark moment, after it was announced that at least ten
junior players dubbed 'Rising Stars' are set to leave for Canada on
April 14, this year for a ten-day special training programme.
The team received a timely boost from Tigo, who offered part of the return tickets.
The team main sponsors are Coca Cola, through its Sprite soft drink.
Speaking at the Spiders Gymkhana courts in Dar es Salaam, Tigo
Communication Manager, John Wanyacha said the company has decided to
support the tour with a view to develop some of the nation's elite
prospects.
"Our aim is to support in unearthing talents and developing them so
as to ensure that the country make strides in international scene," said
Wanyacha.
Team coach Bahati Mgunda said the players have been selected from
various schools with the primary objective of guiding the development of
athletes falling within the youth age categories.
Mgunda named the players and their respective schools in bracket as
Madereka Peter (Good Samaritan), Iverson Vagaries (Tusiime), Jesca James
(Mbuyuni), Janusz Kumpuni (IST) and Talumba Chinyanga (DIA).
Others are Rebecca Padou (IST), Anthony Momboyani (IST) and Yusuf
Amir (Mbuyuni). The team is expected to return back in the country on
April 24.