ZIMBABWE national basketball team coach Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu has decried the lack of corporate involvement as undermining the development of the sport in Matabeleland. REPORT BY VITALIS MOYO
He appealed to the business sector to get involved in the development of the sport through partnering with local teams and sponsorship programmes.
Ndlovu is currently in charge of the Bulawayo basketball ladies provincial side that has begun preparations for the Inter-Provincial Games to be held in February this year at a venue to be decided.
He told NewsDay Sport yesterday: “The Bulawayo sides have been failing to impress in the game due to lack of sponsorship and support from the corporate world. The money used for the preparation of the games comes straight from individuals’ pockets hence it is not adequate to ensure proper preparations.
“Our success is based on the level of preparedness as well as organisational skills and management. The Harare side has always had an edge over us in respect to those areas hence their dominance in the games.”
The Bulawayo side is made up of ladies who are playing in local domestic sides such as Lakers, Giants, Highlanders, Stars and Hawks.
“I’m happy with the commitment that the girls are showing at training as 90% of the expected players turned up for training despite it being the festive season. All the players came with a positive attitude and the atmosphere is well charged in camp,” Ndlovu added.
“Our training sessions are up-tempo as we are focusing on players’ personal conditioning, ball conditioning, endurance and shooting since we are off-season. We want to maintain the basement of the team as well as work on our low guard and low post players to enhance our chances of lifting the championship.”
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The final Bulawayo side, which will be made up of 12 players, will be announced two weeks before the tournament starts.
