Italian instructor takes basketball to Balaka

Italian, Guido Calciolari, has vowed to promote basketball in Balaka through his newly formed Balaka Malawi Basketball Association (Bamaba).

In an interview on Tuesday, at the opening of training sessions to run up to May 4, Calciolari, a medical expert, said basketball can only grow if it is introduced in schools.

The training sessions have been organised by Andiamo Youth Cooperative Trust (AYCT).

Fifteen school teams are taking part in the sessions which are being conducted by two trainers from Italy. The youth are being drilled in skills such as attacking, defending and shooting; and rules of the game.

“Through this association [Bamaba], we intend to take basketball to schools before the sport is introduced to other clubs in the district. We will ensure that resources are available as a means of sustaining the school teams,” said Calciolari, who owns a basketball team in Italy.

Calciolari said he has brought 60 balls and 200 jerseys to distribute to about 14 teams participating in the training.

Andiamo Education Institutions (AEI) coordinator Patrick Bwanali said his organisation will work with Bamaba to promote the initiative.

“We have always promoted minority sports in schools. We will continue from there and support Bamaba in their quest to take basketball to schools,” said Bwanali.

Meanwhile, Bamaba has announced that there will be a tournament this weekend at Andiamo Basketball Court.