The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
BASKETBALL action could soon be back at Raylton Sports Club if negotiations going on between the custodians of the facility and those running the affairs of the game in the province are successful.
Over the years, Raylton had become the ceremonial home of basketball action before burnouts became popular.
This resulted in the courts being converted to suit the needs of the motor sport contests.
Manicaland Basketball Association (MBA) president Tonderai Shasha confirmed that negotiations with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), the owners of the facility, are in progress.
Shasha said it is hoped that the negotiations will result in a win-win situation for the interested parties.
“We were not using Raylton Sports Club courts for the past six or so years. We were using Mutare Boys High School’s courts. The place (Raylton Sports Club courts) was now being used for burnouts.
“We hope our deliberations with the custodians of the facility will yield good results that will see the return of basketball action at Raylton.
“We hope to achieve a win-win situation. All sporting activities must be accorded the respect they deserve.
“The history of Manicaland’s basketball is centred on Raylton Sports Club therefore we intend to rekindle memories of the good old days. This is the home of Manicaland’s basketball. Basketball fans will be more than happy if league games are brought back to Raylton,” Shasha said.
“We are more than thrilled by the way the NRZ is handling the issue.”
The MBA leader expressed hope that once Covid-19 is brought under control, more developmental opportunities will be presented for the game in Manicaland.
“We are looking forward to resuming our local league when the time is right. We are confident that by then we will be back at Raylton.
“We are also working with the Basketball Union of Zimbabwe’s South African (BUZ-SA) chapter. The BUZ-SA president, Dr John Musabayana, is a former Hartzell High School basketball player and also a former national team player.
“He is working on helping our local clubs and schools. We can maximise the development of basketball through such channels,” said Shasha.
Interest in basketball has been on a steady rise in the province ever since local giants — Mercenaries — clinched the coveted inter-club basketball national title last year.
The Innocent Sithole-led Mercenaries went on to give a good account of themselves in the regional competitions in South Africa.
