Ethiopians coming for Dar East and Central Africa basketball championship

Ethiopia is among eight countries that have so far confirmed participation in this year’s East and Central Africa basketball championship opening on Saturday at the National Indoor Stadium. Basketball Federation of Tanzania (BFT) secretary general, Alexander Msoffe said yesterday that preparations and logistics for the event also called Zone Five tournament were on course. He said foreign teams would each field two teams in the week-long championship, and Tanzania will enter six teams by virtue of being the hosts. The BFT secretary named the other countries lined up for the biggest basketball club championship in the region as Somalia, Southern Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and Rwanda. “This year’s tournament will involve both men and women’s teams,” said Msoffe, adding that foreign teams would start arriving in the country two days before the championship starts. He named the country’s flag bearers in the tournament as Jeshi Stars, Lady Lion and Cargo Ladies (women), Savio, ABC and Vijana (men). Meanwhile, Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Emmanuel Nchimbi (pictyred) has challenged the National Sports Council (NSC) to take keener interest in turning around the country’s sports fortunes. Addressing sports officials from various sports bodies yesterday, Nchimbi voiced concern over the downward trend of the country’s sports standard and exhorted the new NSC leadership to arrest it before its three-year term in office ends. Nchimbi said it was high time the council and national sports associations came up with workable strategies that can pave the way for local teams to fare impressively in international competitions. Speaking at the same occasion, newly appointed NSC chairman Dioniz Malinzi urged officials of national sports associations to refrain from embezzlement of funds meant for sports development. hii ya michezo," alisema Malinzi. Nchimbi appointed Malinzi as the new NSC chairman last month. The minister also appointed the council’s members, who include NSSF director general, Ramadhani Dau, Tanzania Sports Writers Association (TASWA) chairman Juma Pinto and his vice Maulid Kitenge. Also in list are MPs Jenister Mhagama (Peramiho) and Mkiwa Adam Kimwanga (Special Seat-CUF), Jamal Rwambow, Venance Mwamoto, Jeniffer Mmasi, Alex Mgongolwa, Colonel Eliot Makafu and Cyprian Maro.
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