AFTER the national men's team's unprecedented win over giants Egypt, Basketball South Africa is convinced its plans to revive the sport are well on track despite serious financial challenges.
South Africa defeated Egypt 70-67 in the African Basketball Championships under way in Madagascar on Monday night, their first win in three opening games. BSA president Malesela Maleka said their team might be out of contention for a medal, but the win over Egypt is a step in the right direction in reviving basketball. Prior to beating the Pharaohs, South Africa were beaten by Ivory Coast and Cameroon in what has been described as "the group of death".
"The Egyptians have been monopolising basketball on the continent for decades," said Maleka. "We are beginning to put up solid building blocks that will make basketball a major sporting code in South Africa once more.
"Our problem is that our teams do not play competitive basketball regularly due to lack of funds to pay for camps and away games.
"There is talent in South Africa but the big challenge we are facing is that of financial support, it is not only affecting basketball but many other codes. With the current funding, we spend a lot of time of unlocking the bureaucracy. Most countries like Angola, Egypt and Ivory Coast spend two months preparing for big competitions.
"It is high time the private sector comes in to complement whatever we get from government. I find it hard to believe that Vodacom are sponsoring basketball in Mozambique but refuse to help us." Vodacom marketing executive Enzo Scarcella said: "They haven't approached me, but we can't sponsor every code."
Win over Pharaohs sign of recovery
AFTER the national men's team's unprecedented win over giants Egypt, Basketball South Africa is convinced its plans to revive the sport are well on track despite serious financial challenges.
South Africa defeated Egypt 70-67 in the African Basketball Championships under way in Madagascar on Monday night, their first win in three opening games. BSA president Malesela Maleka said their team might be out of contention for a medal, but the win over Egypt is a step in the right direction in reviving basketball. Prior to beating the Pharaohs, South Africa were beaten by Ivory Coast and Cameroon in what has been described as "the group of death".
"The Egyptians have been monopolising basketball on the continent for decades," said Maleka. "We are beginning to put up solid building blocks that will make basketball a major sporting code in South Africa once more.
"Our problem is that our teams do not play competitive basketball regularly due to lack of funds to pay for camps and away games.
"There is talent in South Africa but the big challenge we are facing is that of financial support, it is not only affecting basketball but many other codes. With the current funding, we spend a lot of time of unlocking the bureaucracy. Most countries like Angola, Egypt and Ivory Coast spend two months preparing for big competitions.
"It is high time the private sector comes in to complement whatever we get from government. I find it hard to believe that Vodacom are sponsoring basketball in Mozambique but refuse to help us." Vodacom marketing executive Enzo Scarcella said: "They haven't approached me, but we can't sponsor every code."
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