Basketball lovers will over the weekend be taken for a treat with the first ever Kings of Courts tournament that will be held at University of Botswana courts. The event that is organized by Acapella Kandi, core partnering with singer, Zeus and Andre Mokopakgosi will see basketball lovers from the South battle it out in the courts this weekend. Event organizer and also founder of Acapella Kandi, Lesedi Mmopi told The Telegraph that the main aim of the event is to give the Basketball Association a chance to scout talent as well as provide entertainment for the sport code lovers. “Our main aim is to give the basketball association a chance to scout talent and to also revive the dying culture of basketball in Botswana. Recently the sport has seen less participation and we want to revive that,’ he said.
He noted that they have realised the code is slowly dying noting that most of the players are usually school students of whom upon finishing their studies they do not have anywhere to practice more. “Not many people are playing basket ball nowadays, once they finish school it’s over with playing and hence our reason to host this open tournament,” he said.
“The tournament will also be open for everyone; it is not only for professionals. It will be more like a social event and anyone who wants to register can collect forms at Office 43A, Molapo Crossing,’ he added. He explained that it will be a three game tournament with two substitutions adding that all one needs to do is to find a team of five people to be eligible to participate. He also explained that the tournament will continue next year where they will be hosting teams from Northern part of the country as this weekend they only see participation from the South and will thereafter host a final between teams that won from the South side and the North.
“Furthermore, we are seeking to provide entertainment to the lovers and families who will come for the event. There will be lots of entertainment by local artists, DJs and graffiti guys,’ Mmopi added.
He further said there will also be voluntary counseling and testing by Tebelopele. In an interview with The Telegraph, vice president administration- basketball association, Tlotlo Dibeela confirmed the event noting that it is a well come measure aimed at promoting their sporting code.
“The main aim of the tournament is to promote the sport code, scout young players as well as bring back ex players to the courts and all those who love and appreciate the sport,” he said. He further said the event will be an open tournament starting on Friday evening and continuing to the whole of Saturday.
