There was jubilation at Balaka Malawi Basketball School (BAMABÁ) as St. Charles Lwangwa Secondary School basketball team emerged champions in BAMABÁ mini basketball tournament after defeating Andiamo Secondary by 31 – 16 baskets.
St. Charles: The winners of BAMABA' mini basketball tournament
Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT) Executive Director Andrew Galeta said that the tournament was organized after noticing that the game was not being promoted in the district as compared to other sports like football, netball, volleyball and athletics games.
all participating teams pose for a group photo
“As a youth organization we have been organizing trophies for different sporting activities as one way of helping the youths to develop their skills and now we have thought it wise to promote basketball, which has been sidelined for a long time. Game of basketball will also boost AYCT not only making it popular but also to show the world that Andiamo is playing a leading role in promoting basketball in Malawi, Balaka in particular,” said Galeta
He also thanked Anzani Mario, Cortesi Giulia, Calciolari Guido and Zeropiu’ Onlus Association for their interest in uplifting the sport of basketball in the district.
Fr. Mario Pacifici urged the youth to be responsible and exemplary by taking care of the area surrounding the basketball court and all the resources available to them. He also thanked the three volunteers for their time and skills they have shared to the students.
One of the professional basketball players in Balaka, Sydney Lungu who plays for Mikango Basketball team, said the newly launched basketball association will help the youth in the district to develop their skills and instead of being involved in immoral behaviour, they will be busy with sports.
He also added that the coming in of basketball trainers from Italy has helped them to know the rules and to have sports equipment like balls and jerseys.
All the teams who were taking part in the tournament went away with five basketball balls, a whistle and a pump.
Basketball trainings are expected to end this Friday, 4th May 2012.