Basketball honors Big Chems
The first ever Big Chems FIBA 3x3 annual open Basketball tournament ended well this past weekend at IDM University grounds in Francistown.
The two-day event was held in commemoration of the late Chenamani ‘Big Chems’ Nkobodo, who was the president of Francistown Flames Basketball Club, according to Tiro Serumola, the event organizer. The event attracted audience teams from as far as Harare, Zimbabwe, while local teams included those from Gaborone, Masunga, Palapye and Selebi Phikwe.
“I am pleased to say the event was a huge success, looking at the attendance of all the teams present at the tournament. We actually had five teams from Zimbabwe, which means quiet a lot to us, as sporting is about interacting and learning from others,” says Serumula. Despite a few challenges of unfavourable weather, as it was raining and chilly over the weekend, and sponsorships that were not really enough, Serumula is glad that they finished the event on a good note.
Winners of the day walked away smiling as they were awarded medals and cash prizes of P2000.00 each for senior men and women, while under 18 boys and girls got P1000.00 cash prize. “As much as this tournament was the first of its kind as it was in honor of Nkobodo, who instilled in us the spirit of giving, amongst others, we saw it fit to make sure that we leave a smile on the players,” Serumula says, adding that they are going to have this event as an annual event to promote Basketball and embrace the spirit of giving.
“Nkobodo has always sponsored Mater Spei College and Flames Boys and Girls basketball teams earnestly, and he also used to donate to the less privileged, so the whole purpose of this tournament is to continue what he lived for as this created awareness in the sport arena, in general,” he adds.
He also emphasized that through this tournament they want to encourage more youth to join Basketball.
“We are also hopeful that through this tournament, local Basketball will benefit in the sense that they would learn from international counterparts, which may stimulate growth, discipline as well as help academically for their success,” he says, adding that this could motivate the young people in the future to join; those who were fortunate enough to land the elite sponsorship to further their studies in countries like USA and India.
“I am grateful that Botswana Basketball Association (BBA) supported us in organizing this tournament and making it a success. This gives us hope that we will manage to host this tournament each year, while making it bigger and better and continue helping those in need in our respective communities,” he said.