The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Sports Correspondent
IN their quest to develop basketball in Manicaland, a local association comprising of former basketball players is conducting basketball coaching clinics in all the province’s seven districts.
Hartzell Old Basketball Association’s communications officer, Tererayi Matibini, said the programme was rolled out in Marange in Mutare District recently due to its accessibility and being a central point to other surrounding schools.
He said the school also has some of the best basketball courts in the province.
“A total of 50 participants took part in the three-day Level One coaching clinic which we facilitated in conjunction with Basketball Union of Zimbabwe in Marange. This coaching clinic was held before the recent Level Four lockdown and it was successful,” said Matibini.
During that course, 33 primary and 17 secondary schools benefited from the clinic, with each school receiving four basketballs courtesy of HOBA.
“Currently, HOBA and BUZ are working with Buhera Basketball Association to roll out the same programme. In Buhera, we are having virtual coaching with the participants. As soon as the lockdown regulations are relaxed, BUZ will conduct the Level One coaching clinic practical lessons.
“Already 50 coaches have enrolled for this programme. We believe we can also develop our own world class sportsmen as Manicaland if we have a well-oiled junior policy,” said Matibini.
He added: “We are glad that the Manicaland chapters of National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) and National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH, Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) as well as the provincial education directorate are in full support of this initiative.
“We are also developing basketball around Manicaland through distributing basketballs to schools in Manicaland in a programme dubbed: “Flood Manicaland”. The courses do not only target teachers, it stretches to school heads, community coaches and media personnel among others.”
