The National men and women junior basketball teams will play a series of friendlies games against top flight clubs as they continue their preparations for the Zone Five basketball qualifiers due in Kigali.

Coach Nenad Amanovic (C) talks to his players during time-out during the 2010 Zone V qualifiers also held in Kigali, which was won by Egypt. The New Times

The Men’s team will play two friendlies against APR on Friday and Saturday before taking on CSK on Sunday and Monday. The women’s team will play two friendlies against APR over the weekend.

The teams entered residential camp last week before heading to Burundi to take part in the Great Lakes tournament. They returned home on Monday.

The teams lost 2 games each and won one against select sides of the Burundian and Congolese teams but Coach Nenad Amanovic thinks his youngsters are shaping up well for the week long tournament expected to feature teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and Ethiopia.

“We played against senior teams in Burundi and the players put up impressive performances which is very encouraging. We hope the next friendly games will give us a good look at how we stand before the tourney starts.”Amanovic said.

Most of the U.S based players have already joined camp and the remaining duo of center forward Dan Manzi and point guard Adonis Rwabigwi are expected soon.

Meanwhile departed youngster Jonathan Rutare, one of the brightest young basketball players who died mysteriously last month in the U.S was laid to rest on Tuesday in Rubavu.

Friday
Junior Hoops (Men) vs APR

Saturday
Junior Hoops vs CSK

By Ostine Arinaitwe, The New Times