Bulawayo– The Lakers women’s basketball club got a timely shot in the arm when they received a donation of kits worth $2000 from Hamara, a local company in Bulawayo.
The bequest was made during a ceremony at the Hope Centre yesterday.
The city based club received the donation in preparation for the Africa FIBA Basketball Club Championships to be held in Maputo, Mozambique on 16 to 27 November.
The Lakers will be representing the country in the regional tournament after coming second best at the Zone 6 Basketball Club championships held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) last month.
Skhumbuzo Ndlovu, the Lakers founder and coach, commended Hamara for their benevolence.
“We are now preparing for the FIBA Club Championships to be held in Maputo. The competition on its own requires a lot of money and we really appreciate Sondelani coming in with the brand of Hamara to contribute part of the money that is needed for the club to go to Maputo. As a club and foundation we want to thank the company for their kind gesture,” he said.
Ndlovu revealed that the amount needed by the club to go to Mozambique is $28 000.
Hamara Public relations officer, Clarence Mutangara, said it was a pleasure to hand over the donation to the club which has done very well.
“We aspire to support small teams doing bigger things. It’s a pleasure to give the club the donation, the bulk of it will go to the kit and the little bit of money will be contributed towards transport. We will be supporting the Lakers as they are going to represent the country at the FIBA Club Championships,” Mutangara said.
He also appealed to the corporate world in Bulawayo to join the Sondelani group in funding the Lakers.
The club will be making their maiden appearance at the regional club competitions.
