Zimpapers Logo

Bulawayo Basketball Association and the Midlands teams combined in 2011 to form a single league which has been running for two seasons.

City clubs have since had a change of heart.

They feel it has become an expensive venture.

Most of the Midlands teams have collapsed since the regional league was formed.

Only Unicorns remain after Steelers of Kwekwe and Midlands State University pulled out.

Joe Mujuru, the Bulawayo Basketball Association secretary-general confirmed the developments yesterday.

“We are happy with the value which has been brought to the league by Unicorns and other teams but we sat down as teams from Bulawayo and deliberated on whether it was financially feasible for us to continue travelling to Gweru to play against only one team.

“We then agreed that travelling to play only one league match is too expensive for us hence we decided to withdraw and play as a province.

“Playing as a province will help us channel all our resources that we use in travelling expenses to develop a strong player base and develop talent at our local schools hence promoting the growth of basketball as a sport in the city.

“Basketball Union of Zimbabwe have promised us a national league in a few months’ time and we want to be ready for it when it comes,” Mujuru said.

Contacted for comment, Unicorns mentor Walter Mabhena said although the development was a sad one they had quickly regrouped and taken the chance to resuscitate the Midlands provincial league.

“The move by Bulawayo teams to pull out of the league is a disappointment to us but it has challenged us to revive our Midlands League which was not functional for the past two seasons.

“We are lucky however, because some teams have shown interest in joining us and we are engaging in talks with relevant stakeholders and if everything goes well we will resume games next weekend,” Mabhena said.

Kadoma Raptors, Kwekwe Polytechnic, City Saints from Kwekwe, MSU &Unicorns from Gweru and Fibers will play in the men’s category while Kadoma Raptors, MSU and Unicorns we also have women teams.

Weekend Fixtures

Stars v Highlanders, Oilers v Giants, ZB Titans v Stars , Lakers v Giants, Kings v Southern Mavericks.