MBABANE – The Basketball Association of Eswatini (BASE) officially launched a programme that will help the sport to reach the four corners of the country.
The new programme, dubbed Siyabhampisa was officially launched last Friday at OlympAfrica in Lobamba, by BASE Vice President Phumelele Motsa. The launch coincided with the presentation of the E2.1 million worth of basketball equipment.
The equipment was from the International Federation of Basketball (FIBA) and was presented to BASE by Eswatini Sport and Recreational Council (ESRC) Chief Executive Officer Darius Dlomo, as a drive to revive the sport in the country. The event was attended by the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima.
Motsa said they are excited as an association to launch the programme, aimed at taking the sport to the remote areas of the country. “Let the sound of the basketball be heard by everyone all over the country,” Motsa said.
He said they are trying to push the bouncing of the basketball to all communities and schools around the country, which is the reason they call it Asibhambise. “We are looking at inverting programmes to help drive this initiative,” he said.
Motsa further revealed that they have partnered with Dixie’s International, who have donated equipment worth E20 000 to be distributed to those to be part of the Siyabhampisa basketball programme.
“We are very appreciative of the support from Dixie’s International, as the participants will be dressed in the equipment we received from them,” he added. He further urged other companies to join hands with BASE in a move to develop the sport in the country.
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