Reigning champions of Varsity cup basketball to contest for the title once again.
The Wits basketball teams have been selected to participate in the 2019 Varsity Basketball tournament taking place in October this year.
The teams qualified for the tournament after finishing in the top eight male teams and top four women’s teams of the University Sports South Africa (USSA) rankings.
The men’s head coach, Tshiamo Ngakane, said that his team won the inaugural tournament against UCT last year and they intend to win again this year, but admitted that it is going to be a lot tougher.
“Other teams have really upped their performance and have closed the gaps on us,” Ngakane told Wits Vuvuzela.
According to the coach, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) team poses a significant threat to Wits. “That’s a very good team and we have had some epic battles this year in various leagues and tournaments that we have both been involved in,” he added.
Women’s teams will be introduced into the tournament this year. Chairperson of Wits basketball and women’s Lady Bucks player Nametso Mahlako believes this move is a positive move.
“It shows that as basketball we are progressing and we hope that this will increase opportunities for women in basketball,” Mahlako told Wits Vuvuzela.
“We also hope that it will inspire confidence in and increase the number of women who want to participate in basketball on a competitive level,” she added.
Ngakane added that there is depth in the squad so supporters can expect a great fight from the Wits side. “We have had good performances generally but are probably short because of our own expectations,” he told Wits Vuvuzela.
The tournament takes place at the Wits Multi-Sports Hall on the first two weekends in October.
FEATURED IMAGE: The Wits Men’s basketball team are looking forward to competing for the championship title at the 2019 Varsity Cup. Photo: Provided.
RELATED ARTICLES:
- Wits Vuvuzela, BASKETBALL: Wits men’s top Gauteng league, Sepbember 18.
- Wits Vuvuzela, BASKETBALL: Easy victory for Golden Horns against Blue Bucks, August 27.
- Wits Vuvuzela, BASKETBALL: Unexpected win for Knockando in Wits Internal League, August 27.