KBA Heroes Cup draw sets stage for three-week battle
The Khomas Basketball Association (KBA) Heroes Cup will bring together 22 teams from the association’s three leagues when the three-week tournament tips off tomorrow.
The competition, which concludes on Heroes Day on 26 August, features 16 men’s teams from the KBA Premier League and Division One, along with six teams in the women’s section.
Five of the women’s teams compete in the KBA Women’s Premier League, while KBSL All Stars enter the Cup as an invitational high school team.
The group-stage draw was conducted during the tournament’s launch at Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek yesterday, where Sport Wrap was confirmed as the official media partner.
Men’s draw
Quality Basketball Club (QBC), Nust Gladiators, Unam Knights and Afro Stars II were drawn in Group A.
Group B comprises Unam Rebels, Unam Penguins, Unam Pacers and Plaza Warriors.
Afro Stars, Unam Wolves II, Nust Reapers and QBC II make up Group C, while Unam Wolves, Unam Cadets, Team Allies and Leopards were placed in Group D.
The teams will meet once within their respective groups, with the top two sides from each advancing to the quarter-finals before the competition moves into the semi-finals, third-place playoff and final.
Women’s draw
Unam Phoenix, BAS Falcons and KBSL All Stars were drawn in women’s Group A.
Group B features Ongos Shooting Stars, Nust Dodgers and Unam Ignites.
The three teams in each group will meet once, with the competition then progressing to the qualification and knockout stages.
Honouring fallen heroes
KBA president Mike Mukumbutaa said the tournament was established to remember the country’s fallen heroes and commemorate Heroes Day through basketball.
“We came up with this name to try and remember some of our fallen heroes. It is a day to commemorate and celebrate, and what better way to do it than through what we love doing the most, which is sport?” he said.
Mukumbutaa said there is currently no prize money for the winning teams, who will compete for trophies and bragging rights.
He called on potential sponsors to support the tournament and help provide financial rewards for the participating teams, who will otherwise take to the court for their passion for the game.
