Anxiety as top teams gear up for TBF Cup

Dar es Salaam. After days of preparations, the stage is now set for this year’s National Basketball Championship, which gets underway tomorrow at the National Indoor Stadium.

Organised by Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF), the championship will draw teams from 22 regions around the country.

TBF acting secretary general Michael Mwita said yesterday that the tournament has been scheduled to take place for ten days.

But, he said, it might be shortened depending on the number of teams that will be in Dar es Salaam on time for the league.

“We are grateful that 22 regions have so far confirmed their participation. As of now, we’re working hard to secure sponsorship for the championship, which will bring together teams from Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar,” he said.

Mwita said they have approached a number of firms and individuals for financial support, but none of them has so far responded positively.

He yelled for basketball stakeholders and the business community to chip in and save the event, saying they need at least Sh50 million to facilitate smooth staging of the nine-day championship.

Mbeya is among regions that will field teams in both men’ and women’s categories in the annual championship.

Mbeya Basketball Association (MBA) secretary general Joginda Msai said yesterday that the region’s outfits would arrive in Dar es Salaam today.

Msai bragged that players making up the two teams have all it takes to steal show in billed to be tough but exciting championship.

“Our teams consist of top gifted players. It is our belief that we will go there and conquer every team, and win the trophies,” he told The Citizen by phone from Mbeya.

Mbeya is among regions that have enjoyed success in the competitive level of the sport in the country for years.

And they will be a hard nut to crack in this year’s tournament if words by team coach, Kabiola Shomali are anything to go by.

Katavi Regional Basketball Association (KRBA) chairman Shaaban Mondo also said that they have two teams (women’s and men’s) in the eagerly awaited championship.

The other regions that have confirmed participation are Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Shinyanga, Tanga, Mtwara, Njombe, Ruvuma, Tabora, Singida and hosts Dar es Salaam.

Also on the list are Rukwa, Dodoma, Songwe, Kusini Unguja and Kigoma.