The ManicaPost
Liberty Dube
Sports Correspondent
MANICALAND Basketball League delayed their start of their 2023 season in a tactical move aimed at aligning their league to the rest of the country and afford local clubs a chance to compete favourably in national competitions.
In the past, they (Manicaland based clubs) paid dearly in national competitions for finishing their league way ahead of other provinces, especially Harare.
This rendered their teams redundant for a while before the start of the national championships.
A key member of the administration of the Manicaland Basketball League, Teererai Matibini, said they used to finish their season so early and when national competitions start at the end of local leagues, their clubs and their players would have long stopped being active on the court.
“Basketball is finally back in Manicaland! The move to delay the season was deliberate, and it was meant to make us start and finish at the same time with our counterparts across the country.
“We used to finish our season so early and when national competitions start at the end of other local leagues, our clubs and players would have long stopped being active on the court,” said Matibini.
The league in Manicaland is finally off the ground with the champions, Mercenaries sending a very clear message of intent.
In their opening match, Mercenaries were just merciless as they dismantled their opponents, Villa Stars 71-25. Villa Stars could not find answers in a very one-sided match.
In the second match of the Manicaland Basketball Association major league, SK Hurricanes succumbed to a 37- 53 defeat to Dangamvura.
