Tanzania - Dar basketball teams start training

From www.dailynews-tsn.com
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Dar Es Salaam Regional basketball combine teams of men and women popularly known as 'Dream Teams' started training yesterday for the forthcoming Inter-cities tournament set for Nairobi, Kenya from April 22 to 27.

The eighth edition of the tournament brings together teams from various cities in East, Central and Southern Africa. Chairman of the Dar es Salaam Basketball (BD) Simon Msofe said yesterday that efforts to reach various sponsors to help the team were still on hold.

Last week BD Executive Director Mbaga Mwamboma said the association needed some 18m/- to successfully take part in the tournament. Msofe called on the public and basketball lovers in the city to support the team in what he described was a crucial event. "Our team has a good record in the regional event. We think it is imperative for the people to recognise our efforts by coming forth to support us," he said.

"We have so far consulted various sponsors who have shown willingness to support our team, but they are yet to confirm their sponsorship," he said.

BD named 21 players for the men and ladies' categories that would form the provisional squad of the dream team. Both the men's and ladies' teams are training at Don Bosco Upanga in the City. The men's team is under Bahati Mgunda who would be assisted by Tubeth Matiku, while the ladies are under coach Jimmy Nkongo and his assistant Pascal Nkuba.

The Dar es Salaam men's team reached the finals in a previous event held in Kampala, but they were crushed out by mighty Nairobi in a seesaw final tie at the Lugogo Sports Centre in Kampala.

Players who have been selected in the ladies' team are Doritha Mbunda, Evodia Kazinja, Esther Fanuel, Elizabeth Masenyi, Nelly Anyingisye, Grace Daudi, Grace Mugyabuso, Jabu Shabani, Nipael Kessy, Fanuna Yassini and Esther Nelson.