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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
Harare Mayor’s Invitational Basketball Challenge started at the City Sports Centre and Belvedere Technical Teacher’s College yesterday, with most of the teams who confirmed their participation turning up for the show.

At City Sports Centre, Mercenaries from Manicaland started their Pool B campaign on a high note as they beat Francistown Flames 60-25. Another Zimbabwean team Hustlers, who are in Pool C, also recorded a 53-49 win over Dolphins from Botswana.

Harare Basketball Association president Sani Mbofana, who is part of the organising committee, said they were happy with the turnout with teams from countries in the region competing.

“We are now rolling and everything is in order although the games were delayed but once we got underway everything is going well smoothly.
“Some teams had challenges in terms of travelling, especially at the border, but they managed to get here in time for the tournament.

“We are hopeful we will have a good tournament and we expect the turnout to improve tomorrow (today) and even be better on Sunday.
“We have managed to register 17 men’s teams and 14 women’s teams for the tournament and I think it’s a good turnout,” said Mbofana.

Five countries including Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania, Namibia and hosts, Zimbabwe, are being represented at the tournament. Winners in the male and female categories will get $3 000 each while the second and third-placed teams will get $1 500 and $750 each. There is a junior category for the Under-13s where winners will get $250.