The best school basketball teams are expected to lock horns in the Schools Best of the Best Basketball Tournament, to be held at Gugulethu Sports Complex on Saturday 31 October.

The tournament is strictly for u-14 boys and girls and is organised by Hoops 4 Hope.

Hoops 4 Hope is a nongovernmental organisation (NGO) that uses sport and life skills to educate young people about social ills.

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At least four top primary school teams from local basketball leagues will participate — Nyanga (John Pama Primary), Gugulethu (Lwazi Primary), Khayelitsha (Nkazimlo Primary) and Philippi (Mzamomhle Primary).

Nkazimlo Primary School enters the tournament as the defending boys’ champions, while Mzamomhle are the defending girls’ champions.

Hoops 4 Hope senior coordinator Thabo Marotola said all four teams are among the best in their respective leagues. He described the tournament as an annual event that has been running for more than a decade.

Marotola described Hoops 4 Hope as an organisation that coordinates school basketball leagues in local communities.

“Our aim is to educate young people in the townships about basketball. We are also conducting life skills programmes where we host workshops to educate them about HIV/Aids, mental health, women in sport, leadership skills and more,” he said, adding that they want to keep young people off the streets.

Marotola stressed that they are also trying to help young people become independent thinkers who can find their own paths to success. The winners will walk away with a trophy and medals, while the runners-up receive only a trophy.

For more information about the event, contact Hoops 4 Hope senior coordinator Thabo Marotola on 063 369 4201.