Basketball national team head coach, Veceslav Kavedzija believes the junior side is capable of winning next month’s Zone V title scheduled for May 20-27 in Kampala, Uganda. “It’s a very good young team. They are talented. And we are putting discipline high on the agenda,” the Croat said of the 20 players currently camping at Amahoro stadium indoor courts. The Kampala event is also the qualifier for the African Cup of Nations, set for August but the venue is ye to be confirmed. “I am preparing the team to go and win the Zone V championship, that is my target and I believe the players are capable of achieving that,” Kavedzija stated. He added, “The federation and the Sports ministry are doing everything possible to develop these young boys into big time players with a view to have them on the senior side”. Kavedzija said the players are showing brilliance in camp and have potential of being among the first four teams in Africa in not so distant future. The players are expected to stay in camp for three weeks, but will layoff for the national Genocide mourning week before returning. The basketball federation has plans to organize a ‘special’ early next month aimed to selecting the final squad for the Zone V championship. Meanwhile, the inaugural Nizeyimana, Shampiyona memorial tournament enters the semifinal stage today with the finals scheduled for tomorrow at Amahoro stadium indoor courts. The National University of Rwanda (UNR) takes on Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) where the winner meets APR in tomorrow’ final. APR qualified for the final last weekend after round-robin wins over KIE 133-49 and UNR 111-51. And also in the girls’ category, APR who have already qualified for the final after beating UNR 70-55 are waiting for the winner between UNR and KIE who play today. Ends
