Basketball in Africa

ALL is now in place for the 2014 Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) national championships scheduled for Gweru from May 2-4.
Initially penciled for the Easter holidays, the country's elite basketball tourney was postponed after a few clubs had confirmed participation and also because of financial reasons.
About 30 clubs, 16 men and 14 women, from the country's top league are expected to battle it out for bragging rights in Zimbabwe basketball and for the opportunity to hoist the country's flag on the international stage.
BUZ competitions director Forbes Shuva confirmed the competition will go ahead as planned this time around.
" I can safely say everything is in place now and there is not going to be any postponement this time around. The tournament is going ahead as planned even though we don't have sponsors as yet.
"There has been notable improvement in the level of competition in club basketball so it's going to be an exciting tournament. There is a floating trophy and medals for top three teams. The top two teams will then go and represent Zimbabwe at the Zone VI club championships later this year," he said.
Midlands State University, Regina Mundi and the Zimbabwe Military Academy will be the main venues for the event. Cameo men and women were crowned national champions at the tournament in Bulawayo last year and will be hoping to defend their silverware this year.
Other top clubs such as Highlanders, JBC, Raiders, Mercenaries and hosts Unicorns are expected to make a good shout for the top honours.