Luanda — Angolan minister of Youth and Sports, Gonçalves Muandumba, Thursday in Luanda, spoke of the need for massive training and expansion of basketball in the country as a guarantee for a continued grip on national victories, especially in Africa.

The minister expressed the concern during a visit to the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB), where he was briefed by the institution's chairman, Gustavo da Conceição, on the state and functioning of the sport body.

According to the minister, although Angola is a basketball power in the continent, the country's reality of the sport is contrasting, taking into account the number of practitioners.

The minister who focused on the national championships, appealed to FAB to continue working to reverse the disproportionate trend, by better using existing sport facilities built by the Government.

However, Gonçalves Muandumba recognised the work being done by FAB management and its contribute to the strengthening of national unity.

He also pledged his ministry's assistance to projects and programmes designed by the federation, with stress to the spreading, training and development of the high competition segment.

In the visit to FAB, the minister was accompanied by his deputies for Sports and Youth, Albino da Conceição José and Yaba Pedro Alberto, respectively.