Uganda was granted the hosting rights for the 2014 FIBA Africa Zone V Nations qualifiers. The event was earlier scheduled for June 12-18 but it was adjourned by FIBA to September 21-28.
The week-long regional basketball event has been officially launched at a press conference held this morning at Club Ambiance in Nankulabye.
“We are more than delighted to host the Zone V and hope it gives us a competitive advantage,” FUBA’s president Ambrose Tashobya said at the launch.
The tournament has attracted nine countries including Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia Somalia, South Sudan and the hosts Uganda. Eight of the countries have confirmed participation.
Preparations for the event have been ongoing and the committee that was set up has secured some partners for the September 21-28 regional basketball event.
FUBA have partnered with CastleLite, Cocacola, LingLong Tyres, and City Oil who are sponsoring the national teams, GEMS Cambridge International School who have provided the training facilities and Imperial Royale Hotel where the national teams will camp.
The federation has also partnered with Africa Health Alliance as the medical partner and Club Ambiance are the official entertainment partner for the event.
“We want to thank the national teams’ committee for their work and thanks to the partners for coming on board,” the FUBA boss said.
The tournament will act as a qualifying platform for not only the usual Afro-Basket but also for next year’s All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. The finalists in both categories (Men & Women) will represent the region at these two continental showpieces.
The national teams, the Silverbacks (Men) and the Gazelles (Women) resumed practice on Monday and will go into the residential camp next week.
“We are working to ensure that our teams put up the best they can to get the top position,” Tashobya said of the preparations.
