Pool, Basketball pin hopes on summer

Fungai Muderere
THE Bulawayo Pool and Basketball Associations are hoping that Covid-19 would be under control by the time the country gets into summer to allow the city to have a lot of the two sports codes’ action.

Bulawayo Pool Association publicity secretary Farai Nyandoro said they had lined up numerous tournaments to take place in the city amid revelations that the City of Kings and Queens would hold the Southern Africa 3X3 basketball tournament in December.

“As the Bulawayo pool family, it is our hope that the hot weather that is associated with the summer season will bring some Covid-19 relief. It is that relief that will probably enable us as an association to go ahead with various tournaments that we had planned to have. We are feeling the negative effects of Covid-19 but we are just wishing for the best,” said Nyandoro.

Bulawayo Basketball Association secretary-general Francis Dube said they were looking forward to staging the Southern Africa 3X3 Under-18 basketball tournament at the end of the year.

Ten countries have reportedly confirmed their participation in the fourth edition of the tournament to be held from 3 to 6 December.

“At the moment we are preparing for the regional competition. We are hoping by then (December) Covid-19 will be under control and borders will be open so people can travel. We have begun drawing budgets for the competition as well as seeking to secure possible venues from relevant authorities. For now all is in order and we are looking forward to hosting the competition,” said Dube.

Angola and Mozambique will not be part of the competition, leaving host nation Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Indian Ocean islanders Madagascar and Seychelles to battle it out in the event.

The 3X3 basketball is a version of the game played with three players a side scoring in one basketball hoop.

Each game is 15 minutes long or ends when one team reaches 21 points, whichever comes first.

Zimbabwe won the previous event held in Botswana last year.

Basketball, alongside football, wrestling, boxing, waterpolo, volleyball, taekwondo, rugby, netball, judo, handball and field hockey have been classified as high risk under Covid guidelines and are yet to be given the greenlight to resume activities.

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