TANZANIA Basketball Federation (TBF) and their Zanzibar counterpart (BAZA) have decided to start new chapter after agreeing to take collective measure to strengthen their cooperation towards development of the game in the country.
TBF president Phares Magesa has said in Dar es Salaam that his federation and BAZA met in Dodoma recently, to discuss among others, the importance of working together for the development of the game in Zanzibar and Tanzania Mainland.
Magesa said that they have decided to cement their relationship and communication especially in the area of the national teams’ selection that will represent the country in deferent international competitions.
Recently, there have been complaints that Zanzibar basketball players are hardly selected in the national teams that included the recent team that competed in the Zone V AfroBasket 2020 Qualifiers.
The team that went for the African men’s qualifier competition held from January 14 to 18th this year in Nairobi, Kenya had 18 players, all selected from Tanzania Mainland.
Magesa said after the meeting, from now on the two sides will work together to ensure that the national teams’ selection involves both sides.
“We had a very positive meeting with our fellow from BAZA…we decided that top officials should conduct meetings frequently to plans for the development of the sport especially in regard to participation in international assignments,”
“We will also be organizing joint executive meetings according to the needs, so as to improve our cooperation,” said Magesa.
Magesa added that TBF and BAZA cannot do all by themselves; saying they also need support from basketball stakeholders and sponsors.
“The door is open for companies, institutions and sports well-wishers to come forward and support different basketball activities from club, regional, national and international levels so as to speed up the development effort,” he stressed.
According to Magesa, they also agreed to form national teams coordinating committee, so as to improve the team’s performance at the international assignment.
He added that basketball like any other sport, has big role to play in flying high Tanzania flag, contribute towards national economy and bring society together as well maintaining peace.
