KENYAN basketball expert Samuel Wanjohi, who is conducting a FIBA Africa Module One Coaching Clinic in the country, has challenged the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) and the government to invest in youths if Zimbabwe is to catch up with the continent’s best countries like Angola and Mozambique.
RONALD NOYO SPORTS REPORTER
The coaching clinic that attracted 24 basketball coaches, 10 women and 14 men from all over the country kicked off last week on Thursday and it will end this Friday at Evelyn Girls High in Bulawayo.
Among those 24 coaches, seven are from Bulawayo, seven from Matabeleland South, six from Mashonaland West, two from Matabeleland North and one from Harare.
Yesterday, the coaches went through physical drills under the watchful eye of the Kenyan expert.
Wanjohi, who was in the country during the just-ended AUSC Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games, said the country’s basketball had a bright future, only if measures are taken to invest on youth.
“Zimbabwe basketball is on a growth level. I watched the teams playing during the just-ended games. For Zimbabwe, it was a step in the right direction. I realised that they only need to work on few technical aspects, otherwise they are closing in to regional giants Angola and Mozambique,” Wanjohi said.
BUZ technical and development president Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, who was also witnessing the physical training session at Evelyn, said the course was in line with BUZ technical development programme.
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“This is a good development. We are also pleased by the number of women who are taking part. It shows that we are heading somewhere. This is the third time we are having such an exercise. We last conducted it in Harare in 2011. As BUZ, we want to make sure that there is development of the sport from referees, coaches and the players. From the games that just ended we realized that the gap is closing between us and Angola and Mozambique,” Ndlovu said.
He added that since Wanjohi was a FIBA instructor, his experience would add value to the country’s basketball.
Zimbabwe came third in the Under-20 Youth Games after Angola and Mozambique who scooped silver and gold medals respectively in both men and women’s categories.
