MASERU – The 2018 Basketball Summer Slam Tournament roars into life this weekend at Lehakoe Recreational Centre with the action starting tomorrow and ending on Sunday.
The annual showpiece is contested by local and international teams and this year is no different with South African outfit Bryan Blues already confirming their participation.
Speaking to the thepost on Tuesday, Lesotho Basketball Association (LBA) deputy president Tefo Mosala said he expects an entertaining tournament and that the National Basketball League’s (NBL) giants will bring their “A game” to the event.
“The aim (of the tournament) is to have interactions within the basketball family with both local and international teams,” Mosala said.
“We are expecting every team to bring out their A game because, for example, KTA All-Stars has not been performing well in the league lately but since it is a big team we are expecting a good game because normally international teams bring it all as no team can travel this far to lose,” he added.
Unfortunately, however, there will be no women’s contest this year after the local ladies teams failed to register interest meaning South Africa’s Phoenix Ladies will not be able to defend the title they won last year.
Mosala also expressed hopes more international teams would join Bryan Blues in the men’s competition to meet Friday’s registration deadline.
“We have only one team from outside the country which is Bryan Blues from South Africa,” Mosala said.
“We are still trying to lobby other teams in other countries but they have not yet responded to our endless invites. In the country we have five male teams that confirmed. Unfortunately women’s teams have not shown interest in participating and although Phoenix Ladies team wanted to take part as they are defending champions, they cannot since other local women’s teams do not want to participate and pulled out,” he said.
KTA, Bokamoso, Khubestate, Bashana Ba Heso (BBH) and national champions Lerotholi Polytechnic are the five local men’s teams that have registered so far.
Meanwhile, LBA has selected eight players to participate in an Under-18 FIBA 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Botswana in January.
Four players have been selected for a girls’ team and another four for a boys’ side.
All the girls – Rethabile Tšoeunyane, Palesa Matlole, Neo Thakholi, and Kamohelo Mokotla – come from Bokamoso while the boys – Motlatsi Sefali, Phamotse Khutsana, Chomanyane Mefane and Tseko Lekeno – come from Bokamoso, Lichocha Shooting Rifles and Tigers.
Nkheli Liphoto
