Oliver Albert
by The Citizen http://www.thecitizen.co.tz
Dar es Salaam. As the Fiba Zone V Nations Championship draws closer, the Tanzania Basketball Federation (TBF) yesterday unveiled both men’s and women’s squads.
Announcing the provisional squads, TBF acting secretary general Michael Maluwe said the men’s team comprised 23 ace players while the women’s side had 15 players.
Maluwe said both teams were to start fine-tuning their skills yesterday evening, adding that each side would be trimmed to 12 players before flying to Kigali, Rwanda where the tournament will take place from February 7 to 12.
“We considered many criteria before selecting the players and we believe the ones we’ve picked will represent the country well in Kigali,” he said.
Even so, the national teams’ squads have not changed from the ones that flopped in the last editions of the tournament.
Thus it remains to be seen whether they will outdo their opponents this time around and win respect for Tanzania.
Maluwe named the men’s team players as: Gerald Baru, Lusajo Samweli (Oilers), Gilbert Batungi, Dogo Nyambura, Juma Kisoky (ABC), Mohamedy Yusuph, George Tarimo, Jije Makani, Musa Chacha (Savio), Andrew Ikungura, Denis Chibula (Pazi).
Others are: Francis Mlewa, Adam Jegame, Frank Kusiga (JKT), Mohamedy Makani (Chang’ombe United), Mohamedy Ally, Alpha Kisusi, Mwalimu Kheri, Sudi Abdurazak (Vijana City Bulls), Robert Edward (Soweto Arusha), Chelu Simion (Heats Mwanza) and Benedictor Mwangara (Chui).
The women’s side comprises: Lucy Agustino, Nipael Kessy, Faraja Malaki,Jabu Shabani, Jackline Shemeza and Annomisiata Antony, all from Jeshi Stars.
Others are Evodia Kazinja, Doritha Mbunda, Elizabeth Masenyi, Sekela Domonic, Revina Julius, Nelly Anyengisye, Nyilabu Maximillian (JKT Stars).
The list also includes: Tukusubila David (Vijana Queens), Zakia Kondo, Nina Mliga (Don Bosco Lady Lioness).
Even as the TBF embarks on the teams’ preparations for the Kigali event, it needs about Sh40 million foot expenses of players’ upkeep.