ZBA Blogs sports

Some basketball developments in 'Rhodesia'!!!

Malawi's Dribbling Wizard Billy Faad jets off to Mbare Bulls while Zambia's budding talent Gilbert 'Steelo' Muleya secures the bag in Ghana.

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BOLABET BACKS MATERO MAGIC IN LANDMARK SPONSORSHIP DEAL

By Wendson Mavoro

Matero Magic Basketball Club has officially entered into a strategic partnership with Bolabet, a move that will see one of Zambia’s leading basketball outfits secure vital sponsorship support ahead of the 2026/2027 season.

The agreement, which covers the 2026/27 campaign, is designed to strengthen the club’s operational capacity while enhancing its competitiveness both locally and on the continental stage.

The sponsorship will primarily support the team’s operational expenses and includes provisions to facilitate participation in the Road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) should Matero Magic qualify.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bolabet Creative Marketing Specialist Maloly Lukhele said the club’s consistency and growing presence on the continental stage played a key role in the company’s decision to partner with Matero Magic.

“Matero Magic’s consistent participation in the Basketball Africa League qualifiers demonstrates ambition, discipline, and a commitment to excellence. These are values that align with our brand,” Lukhele said.

He further revealed that the partnership extends beyond financial sponsorship, with Bolabet committing to long-term investment in basketball infrastructure across the country.

“Beyond the sponsorship, Bolabet will embark on the construction of basketball courts, which will significantly contribute to the development of the sport in Zambia,” he added.

Bolabet Zambia Chief Revenue Officer Sanka Ngulube emphasized the company’s broader vision of using sport as a tool for community development.

“We are committed to promoting sports development across communities nationwide.

In partnership with the Zambian government, we aim to address infrastructure deficits through the construction of basketball courts and accessible playing spaces,” said Ngulube.

Matero Magic Chairman Malindi Chipili, who was represented by Club Secretary Malamba Chanda, described the agreement as a significant milestone in the club’s history.

“This partnership marks a significant milestone for Matero Magic. Bolabet, we are proud to welcome you as partners.

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ZBF Unveils 2026 National Championship Registration, Sets April–May Timeline

By ZBA Blogs Sports

The Zambia Basketball Federation (ZBF) has officially announced the registration process and competition dates for the 2026 National Championships, with clubs across the country expected to begin submissions from April 14.

According to a notice issued by ZBF National Competitions Manager Sankisha Chiwesa, this year’s championships will feature Men’s A League, Women’s A League and Men’s B League competitions, with qualification slots for continental tournaments up for grabs.

The federation stated that the Men’s A League champions will qualify for the Basketball Africa League Championships, while Women’s A League finalists will earn a place at the FIBA Women’s Champions Cup.

ZBF has set strict timelines for registration and player clearance, with B League registration running from April 14 to April 20, while A League teams have until April 23 to complete their submissions. Clearance for B League players will be concluded by April 22, with confirmed lists released a day later, while A League clearances will be finalized on April 27.

Clubs have been warned that failure to meet the deadlines could result in exclusion from the competition.

“Players and officials listed will use the shared links to provide their bio-data within the stipulated time… Clubs risk exclusion from participation if these conditions are not met,” read part of the notice.

The 2026 National Championships will tip off with B League preliminaries scheduled for April 25–26, followed by the first round for all categories from May 1 to May 3.

Semi-finals are set for May 9–10, while the finals will be held on May 16 and 17 at venues to be confirmed.

The Men’s and Women’s A League competitions will follow a home-and-away format in the early stages before switching to a best-of-three series in the semi-finals and finals. Meanwhile, the Men’s B League will maintain a home-and-away format throughout.

Only Provincial Basketball Associations (PBAs) affiliated to ZBF will participate, with allocations already outlined. The Copperbelt Basketball Association (CBA) and Lusaka-based associations dominate the Men’s and Women’s A League slots, while several provinces will compete in the B League preliminaries.

Top teams from the preliminary round will advance to the main draw, taking up seeded positions in the first round.

ZBF has capped team delegations at 21 members, comprising 15 players, three coaches, two officials and one medical personnel. A minimum of 15 members is required for participation.

On foreign players, the federation has maintained that teams can register a maximum of seven non-citizens, with only five allowed on the roster for any given game. Foreign player clearance will attract a fee of K1,500.

Team registration has been set at K1,000, while individual player registration fees vary between K50 and K100 depending on league category. Clubs will also pay K300 per game.

ZBF emphasized that only players and officials duly registered and confirmed by the federation will be eligible to participate in the championships.

With continental qualification at stake and strict compliance measures in place, the 2026 National Championships are shaping up to be one of the most competitive domestic basketball events on the Zambian calendar.

GIFT KAONGA SIGNS SHORT-TERM DEAL WITH IVORIAN CLUB SOA

By Diesel Media

Zambian basketball player Gift Kaonga has officially secured a short-term professional contract with Ivorian side SOA Club, marking another important milestone in her steadily rising international career.

The agreement, signed in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, will see the 26-year-old guard/forward join the club for a two-month stint from April 14 to June 8, 2026.

Kaonga’s move comes at a crucial time for SOA, as the club looks to reinforce its squad ahead of the decisive play-off phase in Ivory Coast’s top-tier national basketball championship.

The club, led by President General DEM Aly Justin, identified the Lusaka-based player for her strong technical ability, tactical awareness, physical presence, and overall versatility on the court.

Under the terms of the deal, Kaonga is expected to fully integrate into the team’s setup, taking part in all training sessions, competitive fixtures, and official club engagements during her stay.

The Zambian international has expressed her excitement about the opportunity, vowing to make an immediate impact.

“I am very excited about this development, and I am ready to do everything I can to contribute to the success of the team,” she said.

This latest move further underscores the growing footprint of Zambian talent on the international basketball scene.

For Kaonga, the stint in Ivory Coast represents not only a chance to compete at a higher level but also an opportunity to elevate her professional profile and attract longer-term opportunities abroad.

With the play-offs fast approaching, attention will be on how quickly she adapts and the role she plays in SOA’s pursuit of domestic success.

Meanwhile, Diesel Media, under its talent management portfolio being headed by Marc Seylan, has expressed pride in facilitating the move, highlighting its continued commitment to promoting and exporting Zambian basketball talent to global platforms.

JUNIOR HURRICANES, LAKERS CLINCH KINGS & QUEENS TITLES

By Wendson Mavoro

Junior Hurricanes have been crowned Kings of the Court champions after edging Bravehearts 56–48 in a fiercely contested final.

The game lived up to expectations, with both sides battling intensely throughout.

However, the Hurricanes showed greater composure in the closing stages to seal a memorable victory and lift the title.

Kelvin Mulenga Jr.’s individual brilliance earned him the MVP award, while rising prospect Victor Kasaka was named Defense King for his outstanding rim protection and defensive presence.

In the women’s division, Lakers U23 Girls also emerged victorious, defeating Bravehearts in an equally competitive final to cap off an impressive tournament run.

Asiahtu Mapiye was crowned MVP after leading the Lakers to the coveted title, while her teammate Ashley Williams earned the Assist Queen accolade for her unselfish playmaking and court vision.

Bravehearts still had reason to celebrate, with Forget Mukandawire claiming the Defense Queen title for her exceptional defensive efforts.

The highly anticipated matchups drew significant attention, attracting basketball fans from across the SADC region and highlighting the growing appeal and competitiveness of the tournament.

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ZBF, NSCZ agree on player clearance rules ahead of national championships

By ZBA Blogs Sports

The Zambia Basketball Federation (ZBF) has announced a set of resolutions agreed upon with the National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) aimed at addressing concerns surrounding player eligibility and registration, as the 2025/26 National Basketball Championships draw closer.

In a circular dated April 10, 2026, ZBF confirmed that the resolutions follow a consultative meeting held on April 9 between the federation’s National Executive Committee and NSCZ, prompted by concerns escalated by Munali Suns Basketball Club regarding the eligibility and clearance of international players.

According to the circular, both parties reached consensus on several key measures intended to streamline compliance and enhance transparency in the management of the sport.

ZBF stated that all foreign players and officials registered under the federation will now be required to obtain clearance from NSCZ in order to be eligible to participate in the Zambia Basketball League.

“National Sports Council of Zambia is mandated to regulate sports in the country and all ZBF registered foreign players and officials shall further register with the NSCZ for clearance to be eligible to participate in the Zambia Basketball League,” the federation stated.

The federation further indicated that it will implement a structured, step-by-step process to normalise the registration of both local and foreign players, while strictly adhering to its own rules and international regulations.

“ZBF shall embark on a step-by-step process to normalize registration of Local and Foreign Players and further requested not to compromise any player eligibility compliance, strictly adhering to ZBF Rules and FIBA Regulations,” read the statement.

Additionally, ZBF committed to undertaking a comprehensive constitutional review process, which will include revisiting league and competition rules to improve transparency within the game.

On the issue of work permits, the circular noted that NSCZ recognises the Zambia Basketball League as an amateur competition, with both parties agreeing that work permits apply only to professional leagues.

Meanwhile, ZBF has confirmed that the 2025/26 National Basketball Championships will tip off on April 24, 2026, following the conclusion of provincial leagues held across the country on March 22.

The federation said further details regarding the competition schedule will be communicated in due course.

“Following the conclusion of all Provincial Basketball Association Leagues for both Men and Women across the country on 22nd March 2026, the Zambia Basketball Federation hereby announces the 2025/26 National Basketball Championships will commence on the 24th of April 2026,” the statement read.

ZBF also congratulated all teams that qualified for the championships and wished them success in the upcoming national tournament.

The circular was signed by ZBF Secretary General Rodrick Ndhlovu.

Following the delayed national championship Munji Muchimba wrote:

"Unfortunately, this situation reflects who we have become in our basketball community. It speaks volumes about our values and the kind of culture we are building. It is painful to admit, but despite being blessed with a basketball family that includes educated and well-established individuals, we are being held back by unnecessary jealousy and envy toward one another.

This internal competition driven by pride and the need to prove who is “in charge” has now put us in a difficult position. Instead of progressing, we are facing challenges of our own making, and we must now deal with the consequences. As an amateur league, we have to ask ourselves hard questions: how does it make sense to pursue a work permit costing K21,000 when the championship prize money is only K12,000? The imbalance highlights a deeper issue in how we plan and prioritize as a collective.

Harsh as it may sound, this is not just mismanagement, it reflects a lack of unity and shared vision. If we were less focused on competing against each other and more committed to working together, we would be far ahead of where we are now. By this point, we could have already established our own independent basketball court.

I have seen examples elsewhere like a group in Tanzania who came together to build a semi-indoor basketball court with relatively limited resources. What made the difference was not money, but mutual respect, trust, and a genuine desire to grow the sport together.

The sooner we realize that internal rivalry is holding us back, the better it will be for our basketball community. Progress will only come when we shift our mindset from individual recognition to collective development. Not everyone speaks up in this group, but sometimes it is necessary to say these things openly and honestly for the good of the game we all claim to love."

While Munji's observations may be valid, Zambia Basketball Federation needs to be proactive and communicate to teams taking part in the national championship explaining what is causing the current delay. Deliberate inability to communicate in my view is a sign of LEADERSHIP FAILURE and lack of respect for the people who
gave you the mandate to lead. Failure to communicate effectively creates room for speculation which may disadvantage the sport when it comes to future sponsorship.