29 Nov 2017

Sixteen U18 teams, which won their national basketball qualifiers in Botswana, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Swaziland and Zimbabwe will compete in the Young Lions Cup Final at Molapo Piazza in Gaborone over the weekend.

Speaking during a media briefing, Botswana Basketball Association president, Boineelo Hardy explained that the upcoming event was one of many ‘basketball for good’ initiatives of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) foundation.

She stated that the Young Lions Cup was a great opportunity to play international 3x3 basketball.Moreover,  she said it was a great opportunity to encourage and mentor new leaders as more focus would be on conducting life skill workshops and mentorships for young people. The nine male and six female teams have qualified through national qualifiers organised in their respective countries.

Following a nationwide tour to pick, which teams to represent Botswana, Hardy stated that Gaborone-based Under-18 3x3 basketball outfit, Raptors  which comprises of Letso Tladi, Bojelo Tiroyakgosi, Karim Shehu, Keratile Dikakanyo were crowned  the boys champions, while Serowe side, Grenades, which is made up of Katlego Gasehete Jankie, Ritha Rethabile Tonkope, Nsagwa Lerato Ramatebele, Motlatsi Machana won the Young Lions women’s cup; hence the two teams would represent Botswana during the game.

FIBA Africa president, Hamane Niang indicated that it is FIBA’s mission to use the power of basketball as a catalyst to initiate positive change and help build stronger communities. “We believe that the youths can become ambassadors for our mission. With this in mind, all the players present will take part in a leadership workshop,” he said. BOPA