02 November 2014
TANZANIA : Ten Regions Enter Taifa Cup Basketball Tourney
By Daily News Reporter
TEN regions have confirmed participation in this year's National Basketball Championship to be held in Dodoma from November 23-30.
Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Secretary General, Saleh Zonga, told the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam preparations for the tournament, popularly known as Taifa Cup, are underway.
"We are grateful that ten regions have so far confirmed their participation and we're currently working hard to get sponsorship that will assist to facilitate the event that brings together teams from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar," he said.
Regions which have already confirmed participation are Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, Tanga, Mtwara, Njombe, Ruvuma, Tabora, Singida and hosts Dodoma.
The rest have until November 15 to do so. According to Zonga, 60m/- is needed to stage the eight-day inter-regional championship. The tournament did not take place last year due to financial constraints but TBF is doing all it can to ensure it is held this year.
"The Taifa Cup is a very important competition as it plays a great role in developing basketball in the country," said Zonga. "It enables us to identify talents and promote them.
That's why we're working around the clock to make sure we raise the required amount of funds to stage it," he added. The TBF boss appealed to sponsors and well-wishers to come forward and support the federation.
Meanwhile, the TBF Executive Committee meets in Dar es Salaam this weekend to discuss, among other issues, the forthcoming Taifa Cup tournament.
"Apart from discussing the Taifa Cup preparations, the meeting will also deliberate on a request by the three Dar es Salaam municipalities, Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke, to be allowed to compete in the tournament as separate entities," said Zonga.
The application is likely to be granted as the federation thinks that the inclusion of the three municipalities as separate teams will provide more youth with an opportunity to showcase their talents and be groomed into future stars.
TEN regions have confirmed participation in this year's National Basketball Championship to be held in Dodoma from November 23-30.
Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) Secretary General, Saleh Zonga, told the 'Daily News' in Dar es Salaam preparations for the tournament, popularly known as Taifa Cup, are underway.
"We are grateful that ten regions have so far confirmed their participation and we're currently working hard to get sponsorship that will assist to facilitate the event that brings together teams from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar," he said.
Regions which have already confirmed participation are Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, Tanga, Mtwara, Njombe, Ruvuma, Tabora, Singida and hosts Dodoma.
The rest have until November 15 to do so. According to Zonga, 60m/- is needed to stage the eight-day inter-regional championship. The tournament did not take place last year due to financial constraints but TBF is doing all it can to ensure it is held this year.
"The Taifa Cup is a very important competition as it plays a great role in developing basketball in the country," said Zonga. "It enables us to identify talents and promote them.
That's why we're working around the clock to make sure we raise the required amount of funds to stage it," he added. The TBF boss appealed to sponsors and well-wishers to come forward and support the federation.
Meanwhile, the TBF Executive Committee meets in Dar es Salaam this weekend to discuss, among other issues, the forthcoming Taifa Cup tournament.
"Apart from discussing the Taifa Cup preparations, the meeting will also deliberate on a request by the three Dar es Salaam municipalities, Kinondoni, Ilala and Temeke, to be allowed to compete in the tournament as separate entities," said Zonga.
The application is likely to be granted as the federation thinks that the inclusion of the three municipalities as separate teams will provide more youth with an opportunity to showcase their talents and be groomed into future stars.
# posted by afrbk : 17:21
