After the sports world took a break due to the outbreak of the Corona virus, basketball in Tanzania is making a comeback. A decision to restart the league was reached after a meeting was held between club leaderships and Basketball Dar es Salaam earlier this week. The 2020 season of the RBA league that runs in Dar es Salaam will start afresh on the 4th of July. The league will have only one round and then head straight into the playoffs. The participating teams have a short window to sign players and make transfers. We sought the views of several players on their preparedness to get back to active basketball activities. While some of them are concerned about their health, most are excited and ready to play.
“The league will be competitive. We have rested enough and injured players are also looking at coming back into action. I am looking forward to a seriously competitive season. I’m excited; we were missing the action,”
says Haji Rashid Mbegu, the JKT forward. On matters concerning health and safety of the players, Mbegu stated that every player should take personal hygiene seriously and take care of themselves as the government and the federation continue to put the necessary measures in place.
The federation will, however, take serious measures in maintaining high standards of hygiene for the health of the players as the games resume. Fans will be allowed inside the courts but they will be required to wear face masks. Temperature levels will also be checked at the entrance. The league officials have urged fans to maintain social distancing inside the court as a way of maintaining safety standards. The league will give players and their teams directives on how to maintain safety, as they prepare to resume on Saturday.
The first game will kick off on Saturday 4th July 2020 as former Champions Savio take on their counterparts Youngsters at the Kurasini Harbor courts. A total of five games will be played on opening day.
By Dr Ariel Okall
Edited by Brenda Mwaniki