As they plot for a record 10th title this year, Africa’s most celebrated basketball nation Angola are celebrating the sport’s 79th anniversary this month. The sport, introduced in 1930 has become one of the country’s main symbols of expression and recognition.

In the ambit of the event, the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) has scheduled a three-day female tournament in the southern Huíla Province.

The event scheduled for May 20-22 has attracted Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Portugal and South Africa.

Angola are the record holders of the FIBA Africa Men’s championship, the most coveted basketball tournament in Africa. Since the championship’s inception in 1962, Angola has won the title a record nine times.

Senegal and Egypt are level with five titles; Ivory Costa and Central African Republic have two titles each while Morocco has won it once.

This year, the championship which is biannual will be held in Libya. Of the 16 countries expected to grace the show piece, ten countries have so far qualified with Mali (Zone 2) and Mozambique (Zone 6) being the latest entries from their respective zones.

In 2007, Angola won the title on home soil after beating Cameroon 86-72 in the final.

In Libya, Rwanda will make their second appearance in the championship after qualifying along with Egypt in Zone 5. The East Africans made their debut two years ago in Angola where they finished 12th.

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