Irish envoy drums up support for basketball

Ireland Basketball (IB) representative Marie Horgan has asked the corporate sector to support local basketball so that it develops into a sport capable of producing a team that can compete on the world stage.

The IB’s National Referees Committee administrator is in the country to train Central Zone Basketball League (Cezobal) referees.

The training, which is being held in Lilongwe, is the fruit of the partnership which IB and Cezobal formed last December.

Horgan said she has observed that players have a deep passion for the sport.

“I have watched some games and I can confidently say that there is massive talent. But, in my view, what is lacking is that the surrounding communities do not patronise the games and companies can do more by sponsoring the teams by advertising on the jerseys,” she said.

Horgan said if much funds are injected into the sport, games will be more competitive, a situation that could draw more spectators.

Cezobal referees committee chairman Waleke Mponda said the training, which attracted 25 referees, would be instrumental in uplifting the sport.

“We are trying to professionalise the sport. Having well trained referees is part of the initiative,” he said. “The refereeing skills and rules we have learned have been are amazing.”