Daily Nation Newspaper

Magic, Pacers qualify for National Basketball Championsh­ips

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ernational AssoAthlet­ics FederaF) to compete at Championsh­ips in s slated from Aun China based on onal performanc­e internatio­nal en- mateur Athletics AsAAA) communicat­ernational relations vison Mung'ambata nd female 400m runMupopo were reprebia at the event. received a wild card n the 200m race at Championsh­ip. The wild card is usually given to athletes that have been performing and do not go through the qualifying process.

“He is a junior athlete but his performanc­e at World Challenge and other competitiv­e tournament­s has earned him the slot. Siame has greatly improved on time this year with his personal best being 10.18s,” he said.

He however said it would be too much to demand for medals from the two athletes when it will be their maiden appearance at such a big event.

“Mupopo just started competing in internatio­nal tournament­s last year while Siame is a junior athlete, so it will be unfair to demand for medals. But we are positive that they will put up a good performanc­e,” he said.

Siame last year claimed the title of the world fastest kid after he won gold at the Nanjing Youth Olympics clocking 10.56s.

In June, Siame was invited to participat­e in the World Challenge in Senegal where he finished fourth setting a new national record of 10:18s. By MICHAEL MIYOBA

THE 2017 Midlands Basketball Associatio­n league champions Matero Magic have qualified for the 2018 National Basketball Championsh­ips after beating LCC Looters 79-77 in their last league fixture played last Saturday at NASDEC sports complex in Lusaka.

Magic concluded the league with 51 points, three points ahead of their bitter rivals UNZA Pacers who qualified for the National Championsh­ip for finishing second in the league.

Meanwhile, LCC Looters made it through to the National Championsh­ips despite losing their last league fixture.

The Zambia Army sponsored Green Buffaloes which has completed in the top four, have qualified for the same championsh­ips.

Green Buffaloes concluded the league with 46 points, five points behind champions Matero Magic but had the same number of points with third placed LCC Looters.

In the feminine category, 2017 Midlands Basketball Associatio­n league champions UNZA Honeys will lead Matero Magic Sparks, Green Buffaloes and NAPSA Breeze at the National Basketball championsh­ips.

Honeys earned their national championsh­ip slot with a 66-46 victory over LCC Looters while Matero Magic Sparks thrashed Nishati Shells 53-23 to finish second and qualify for the national championsh­ip.

The female Green Buffaloes concluded the league on third position with 41 points, one point ahead of NAPSA Breeze who finished fourth with 40 points.

Meanwhile Bulldogs and Green Eagles have been promoted to the MBA league after clinching first and second position in the league.

 ??  ?? eporter ydney Siame has dUenddaerw-2il3d tcearmd pictured on arrival in Ivory Coast on Thursday Matero Magic players pose for a photo after being crowned 2017 MBA league champions
eporter ydney Siame has dUenddaerw-2il3d tcearmd pictured on arrival in Ivory Coast on Thursday Matero Magic players pose for a photo after being crowned 2017 MBA league champions

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