President of Zambian National Wheelchair Basketball Association David Mukwasa assesses the team ahead of camping for African para games.
Our Women’s team qualified for the tournament [para sport].
Well, preparations are going on well and we had a training camp with South Africa which went quite well in terms of learning skills and new rules of the game.
I must say that this is the first time Zambia is participating in Wheelchair basketball in para-sports and the team was put together specifically for this event.
The training is going on well. We’re now looking at camping again locally before the team travels and we’re hoping that government will provide the necessary resources for camp training.
Surprises? Yes – it’s our first time participating in the competition like our Women’s football team [Copper Queens] did at the Women’s World Cup this year.
We’ll be putting out a team to play at the International level for the first time. We believe they’ll do much better, especially after training. We hope to qualify for the second round and possibly go further.
Already some of our players impressed the South African coaches and they believe the players can be better. I don’t know much about the quality of opponents but for them to play at this level proves they’re good. Some of them have been playingforrsomee some time and have experience.
We expect formidable opponents. On the injury, front two of our players returning from South Africa fell sick with Malaria. One is back on the court [team] the other will be certified by the doctor if she’s fit to play again after bed rest.
I think the government has taken over the preparations well and socially the players are ready to participate and we’re looking forward to great games.
