City Hornets Reward Players

Tatenda Maturure

IN a rare move by local clubs, newly promoted Harare Basketball A League side Harare City Hornets staged a glittering awards ceremony in the capital during which they rewarded their outstanding players who inspired them in a record-making season in which they finished unbeaten. Hornets also won the Bob 92 Cup in a tournament which featured some A-League giants such as JBC and some Zambian teams.They also capped their memorable season by touring Swaziland where they returned with a silver medal from a 16-team invitational tourney. After their team's success story club chairman Sunny Mbofana and his executive decided it was time to reward coach Talent Marembe and his men "for a job well done". Hornets were also the only B-League side to contribute players to the senior men's national team with club captain Duncan Shenje (190-G-85) leading the cast of players who have represented the country. Shenje had a night to remember as he was also voted the club's Most Valuable Player with part of his award including a holiday for two in Victoria Falls. There were awards too for top points' scorer Tatenda Maturure (G/F-90), Rookie of the Year and point guard Patrick Mungwadzi, Most Improved Player Bret Matekenya, base Zelusi Melusi (Best Rebounder of the Year) and big power forward Brian Hore who was selected by his peers as the Players' Player of the Year. Evergreen shooting guard, Evans Gasva also went home smiling after getting the Best Assist gong Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni implored the players to aim even higher and possibly attract interests from better basketball league teams abroad. "Sport has become the biggest employer in the world with some athletes getting salaries that can make even the top paid chief executives green with envy. "To our players the sky can only be the limit. We want you to break into the NBA and rub shoulders with the likes (of) Debron James, Kelvin Durant and Steven Curry," Manyenyeni said. The mayor commended the club for flying high the capital's flag on the sporting arena and urged them to continue "on the ascendancy path in order to attract corporate sponsorship".Manyenyeni also revealed that he was mulling the idea of bankrolling a basketball tournament for clubs in Harare on the occasion of his birthday. The Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane who was represented by the director of sports in his office Eugenia Chidhakwa congratulated the Hornets for their exploits in the regional tournament in Swaziland. Chidhakwa also challenged Mbofana and his executive to also consider setting up a women's team "to cater for the girl child". After soaring to new heights, Hornets will now brace for a tougher challenge and a test of character in the A- League, but Mbofana whose team has also been active on the transfer market boosting their base with more experienced players, believes they have the pedigree to stir a storm in the elite league. Hornets have been setting the trend that could be a hard act to follow for local clubs as their games at Richwood Park attracted interest, with crowds increasing by the day.
Courtesy of: herald.co.zw