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Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
COMPETITION in the Harare Basketball League women’s section is expected to be stiff in the coming season as the bottom three clubs will be demoted to the B League at the end of the season. This comes against the background of an increase in women’s basketball teams who have expressed interest in playing the game.

Over eight new clubs have come forward during the current off-season to register their willingness to be part of the game.

Previously, the women’s league has been running with only 14 teams and no team was relegated.

But basketball fans could be in for some exciting times in the coming season that begins next week as the HBA have resolved to form a B League for the women after being overwhelmed by the number of teams which wanted to join the A League.

In fact, the HBA, whose annual meeting is set for this Saturday, will deliberate on the number of teams to be relegated at the end of the season and the same number will be promoted from the B League.

HBA chairperson, Sunny Mbofana, said his executive will determine the way forward in Saturday’s AGM.

“The issue of the women’s basketball league is on the agenda at the AGM which is on this Saturday. A lot of clubs have expressed their willingness to join the league.

“We have had 14 teams all playing in the top-flight in the past. But we will obviously be forced to split the league into top-tier and second-tier just like what it is with the men.

“All teams, which are coming in, will automatically join the B League while those who have been playing in the top-flight will remain because, obviously, it will be very unfair to then say the teams which finished in the bottom are now to be demoted yet they were not informed prior to last season.

“All that, I am sure, will be deliberated at the AGM and whatever comes out of it will be binding. Otherwise what I can tell you is we are in for an exciting season,” Mbofana said.