Long on glitz, short on glamour

CLUBS from regional basketball powerhouses will not attend next month’s inaugural Harare Mayor’s Basketball Invitational Challenge.

Tourney organisers invited clubs from Angola, South Africa and Mozambique but the invitations were not honoured.

“It’s a quite a sad development but one we have no control over,” said Harare City Hornets’ secretary-general Forster Manhezhu. “The main objective of this tournament was to help our team Harare City Hornets prepare for the Fiba Africa Club Championship qualifiers.

“One cannot also deny the kind of mileage that would have come with having the top teams from the top three countries in the region- two which have produced African champions- gracing the event.

“However, due to the conflicting schedules, most of the leagues in these countries are still on and will be entering their play-offs when the tournament begins.”

The tourney, slated for August 18-20 in the capital, is now expected to attract 32 teams with the host country providing the bulk of participants.

The local contingent of JBC, Foxes, Hustlers, Glen View Rockets, Mercenaries, Midlands State University, Gladiator Knights, Varsity Leopards, Southern Mavericks and hosts Harare City Hornets is set to compete in the men’s event.

In the female’s category the country will be represented by Vixens, JBC, Lakers, Lynx Ball Queens, Southern Mavericks, Hornets and MSU.

Malawi will add international flavour, sending Central Knights, Brave Hearts, Cougars (men and women) and Lady Dynamites to the invitational tournament.

Zambia weighs in with Matero Magic (men and women) and Looters; while Namibia and Tanzania will be sending a team each.

“While we would have loved a stronger line-up, we have every confidence that the teams that have confirmed their participation are strong enough to give us a good run for our money,” said Manhezhu.