IWBF Africa World U23 qualifiers head to Johannesburg

The fourth edition of the U23 African World Championship Qualifier will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 5-12 December, as announced by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF).

The hosts, Zimbabwe, Algeria and Nigeria will be the four teams competing in this event, organised by the Wheelchair Basketball South Africa Federation in conjunction with IWBF Africa.

“It provides a much needed opportunity for development as being able to play on the world stage allows countries to put funds aside to support the development,” said IWBF Africa Secretary General Shawn Moorgas.

“I am expecting a good competition between Nigeria and Zimbabwe because they are both still developing.”

Great games are also expected between Algeria and South Africa, both of which already have development programmes with young players competing in overseas leagues.

“We were meant to host the tournament in Durban as it would serve as a testing ground for the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but we had to move it to Johannesburg, which has taken some major reshuffling and cost implications,” explained Moorgas.

The referees are all required to arrive in South Africa on 3 December to attend the IWBF Technical Workshop ahead of the tournament.

More information is available on the IWBF’s website.