Harare — FIREWORKS are expected at the BCD courts in Bulawayo where provincial teams are set to converge for the inter-provincial tournament early next month.

The tournament has been slated for March 6 and 7 and seven provinces Harare, Manicaland, Mashonaland East, Matabeleland North, Masvingo, Midlands and Bulawayo have already confirmed their participation at the event.

Basketball Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general, Watson Muchengeti, said provinces would select their best players from different clubs to represent them in the competition.

"The inter-provincial tournament is on and provinces will select their representatives for the tournament.

"Last year, five provinces participated in the tournament.

"However, we are expecting more teams this year and a high level of competition as Bulawayo, who are the tradititional powerhouse, are set to compete and they are potential winners.

"So far, there are seven provinces we are expecting to take part in the tournament.

"A technical meeting will be held before the event to see the provinces that would have pitched up," said Muchengeti.

Muchengeti said the hosting province will cater for all the expenses related to the running of the tournament and they are confident that the event will be a success.

"The hosting province meets all the expenses related to the running of the tournament while the teams will pay a US$50 participation fee and player registration fees.

"And we are confident from the way Bulawayo hosted the club championships last year that the tournament will be a success," said Muchengeti.

Muchengeti said the national association would also be looking into the other three provinces -- Matabeleland South, Mashonaland Central and West -- to revamp the sport at provincial level.

"Currently their clubs constitute of school teams as they do not have clubs at provincial levels and one of our priorities is to revive the sport in those provinces.

"However, we have to start with player development which starts with coaching and we are going to conduct coaching clinics nationwide but the three provinces will be our main priority," said Muchengeti.

Meanwhile, the defending champions, Harare, have begun preparing for the forthcoming event with a technical commission already in place.

Harare Basketball Association chairman, Gilchrist Mageza, said the commission will meet tomorrow to discuss their preparations.

"We have a technical commission led by Tendai Nyagumbo and will actually organise a coaches committee. We are hoping to take four teams to the tournament," said Mageza.