15 September 2014
TANZANIA : We're Keen to Revive Basketball
By Frank Kimaro
BASKETBALL Dar es Salaam (BD) has said it is committed to revive basketball in the region following the poor progression of basketball competitions in recent years.
BD Vice-President Richard Julies told the 'Daily News' that the RBA league was last held in the 2012/2013 season due to financial constraints. "Our clubs didn't have power to stand by themselves and we didn't have any sponsor. As a result, the association depended on clubs to donate something to run the league.
However, most clubs were not able to contribute money," he said. "So we failed to run the league because we didn't have funds ... we kept on postponing it and later decided that we should organise ourselves for the 2014/2015 season," he added.
Julies said the league will resume on September 18 this year under the sponsorship of Azam Tv and Azam Cola who have invested about 39 million/- in the tournament.
"Our plans for this year include a long RBA league that will be followed by an All-Stars game to involve star players from the league. We'll also organise other competitions including the Nyerere Cup," he said.
The league will help Dar es Salaam pick a strong team for the forthcoming East African Inter-city basketball competition to be held in the city next year.
Some players, including Mohamed Yusuph who played for the Dream Team in the past Inter-city championships, have predicted that the coming league will be competitive and thrilling as all teams have adequate preparations.
Teams which will participate in the RBA league are JKT, ABC, Mgulani and Kurasini Heat from Temeke; Tanzania Prison, Don Bosco Upanga, popularly known as Savio, Vijana City Bulls and Jogoo from Ilala.
Kinondoni will be represented by Chui, Don Bosco Oysterbay, Pazi and Oilers. Women's teams will also have their league and some of the participants are Don Bosco Lioness, Vijana Queens and JKT.
BASKETBALL Dar es Salaam (BD) has said it is committed to revive basketball in the region following the poor progression of basketball competitions in recent years.
BD Vice-President Richard Julies told the 'Daily News' that the RBA league was last held in the 2012/2013 season due to financial constraints. "Our clubs didn't have power to stand by themselves and we didn't have any sponsor. As a result, the association depended on clubs to donate something to run the league.
However, most clubs were not able to contribute money," he said. "So we failed to run the league because we didn't have funds ... we kept on postponing it and later decided that we should organise ourselves for the 2014/2015 season," he added.
Julies said the league will resume on September 18 this year under the sponsorship of Azam Tv and Azam Cola who have invested about 39 million/- in the tournament.
"Our plans for this year include a long RBA league that will be followed by an All-Stars game to involve star players from the league. We'll also organise other competitions including the Nyerere Cup," he said.
The league will help Dar es Salaam pick a strong team for the forthcoming East African Inter-city basketball competition to be held in the city next year.
Some players, including Mohamed Yusuph who played for the Dream Team in the past Inter-city championships, have predicted that the coming league will be competitive and thrilling as all teams have adequate preparations.
Teams which will participate in the RBA league are JKT, ABC, Mgulani and Kurasini Heat from Temeke; Tanzania Prison, Don Bosco Upanga, popularly known as Savio, Vijana City Bulls and Jogoo from Ilala.
Kinondoni will be represented by Chui, Don Bosco Oysterbay, Pazi and Oilers. Women's teams will also have their league and some of the participants are Don Bosco Lioness, Vijana Queens and JKT.
# posted by afrbk : 18:20
