Zone V Club Championships entry hits record 20 teams

With three Tanzanian teams confirming their late entry, the upcoming 21th edition of the FIBA Africa Zone V Club Championships will have a record 20 teams—the biggest in the competition’s history. The week-long regional tournament gets underway on Sunday and runs until October 11 at Amahoro indoor stadium and the National Paralympics Committee gymnasium. The three Tanzanian teams include; Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa (men) and Don Bosco which will field teams in both genders. According to Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) secretary general, Richard Mutabazi, the increase in the number of teams will consequently increase the level of competition. Returning to Rwanda for the first time since 2007, this year’s tournament surpasses the 15th edition (19 teams) staged in Kampala in 2009 as the biggest meet since the inaugural edition in 1995 in Harare, Zimbabwe. The biggest club championship in the East and Central Africa region will be contested by 13 male and 7 female teams from eight countries namely; Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan, Tanzania and hosts Rwanda. Full list of participants: Men: Urunani and Dynamo (Burundi), Kenya Port Authority and Ulinzi (Kenya), Espoir and CSK (Rwanda), City Oilers and Tiger Head Power (Uganda), JKT and Don Bosco (Tanzania), Gezira (Egypt), National Engineering and Logistics (South Sudan) and Water Sports of Ethiopia. Women: USIU (Kenya), Ubumwe (Rwanda), APR (Rwanda), KCCA (Uganda), Berco Stars (Burundi), House Agency (Ethiopia) and Tanzania’s Don Bosco.