FELEN MANOCHI
THE ongoing Dar es Salaam Region Basketball League popularly known as RBA has proved a tough challenge to the ‘big guns’.
Always dominant side such as defending champions Savio, JKT, Vijana ‘City Bulls’ and Pazi are all facing stiff challenge from the likes of promising Oilers, Tanzania Prisons and Chui.
The league is taking place every weekend at the National indoor Stadium in the city. Oilers, who have so shown their intent to win the league this season, are currently top of the table with 12 points ahead of the most fancied sides in the league.
Oilers have so far played four matches, winning them all. Behind the league leaders are JKT with eight points followed by title holders Savio who have so far collected six points.
Speaking to the ‘Daily News on Saturday’ today in Dar es Salaam the Director of Basketball Dar es salaam (BD) Mbaga Mwambona attributed the turn around to good preparations made by the underdogs.
He said that the league is hot due to the fact that many teams have registered young players from secondary schools.
“We are pleased to see that the league is becoming more competitive as more teams are now providing stiff challenge to the dominant sides in the league. We believe this new trend will help our region to have a large pool of players,” he said.
The league started five weeks ago, continues tomorrow where four matches are on the menu. The first match will pit Jeshi Stars and CMTU, while Chui will have a date with Chang’ombe United.
The day will also see Tanzania Prisons taking on Tanblacks. In the ladies category Pazi will lock horns with BIAS.