G.Y. Imports hold gala for Brave Hearts, Dream team: Basketball clubs cheer sick at KCH

G.Y Imports & Exports, sponsors of Brave Hearts and Dream Team basketball teams on Sunday held a gala night for the clubs at Bridgeview Hotel in Lilongwe, where outstanding players and individuals from the two clubs were honoured.

Before the gala night, Brave Hearts presented Christmas gifts to the sick and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH).

The gifts were bought using part of the proceeds from a K150,000 winner-takes-all basketball tournament, which Brave Hearts won after beating Bunga College 61-54 in the final match played last Saturday evening at African Bible College.

Dream Team, which is a sister club to Brave Hearts finished as second runners-up after defeating Area 12 Disciples 74-67 in a third-place play-off.

The four-team tournament was sponsored by the Lilongwe based firm G.Y. Imports and Exports, providers of ICT Equipment, furniture, stationery and other household items.

After scooping the stakes, Brave Hearts, accompanied by their sister club and sponsors visited the sick at KCH on Sunday, presenting Christmas gifts to the patients and guardians.

The climax of it all was in the evening, when players and officials from both clubs and other invited guests gathered at Bridgeview Hotel for the gala night that saw G.Y Imports and Exports presenting trophies and cash prizes to outstanding players and individuals.

Brave Hearts’ power forward Brian Nyirenda won the Player of the Year award with centre Hamis Mrisho winning a similar award for Dream Team.

Nyirenda was also awarded as the Best Defensive Player of the Year for the Brave Hearts while Fatsani Chadzunda got the same award for Dream Team. The Best Offensive Player awards went to Malumbo Kumwenda on the part of Brave Hearts and Enock ‘Gobede’ Matekenya for Dream Team.

Lovemore Chirwa of Brave Hearts and Nigel Banda for Dream Team were named Most Disciplined Players. Most Improved Player awards went to Ulemu Khonyongwa for Brave Hearts and Nigel Banda for Dream Team.

Daudi Hussein, popularly known as Dr Print and Vincent Maseya were presented with Off-Court Hustle Players of the Year awards for Brave Hearts and Dream Team respectively. The award was meant for players, who have always been there for their colleagues during times of need away from the court.

The two clubs also gave a Certificate of Appreciation to G.Y. Imports and Exports managing director Griffin Kalua for his unwavering support and his wife Yowoyani Kalua for being the teams’ number one fan.

Basketball Association of Malawi (Basmal) treasurer Lisungu Banda and Cezobal representative Limbani Yatina, speaking during the gala night commended G.Y. Imports and Exports for sponsoring basketball at all levels.

The officials urged the company to continue supporting basketball in the forth-coming year.

Kalua said he has had passion for basketball from his young age and pledged to continue supporting both Brave Hearts and Dream Team as well as Basmal and its zones.

“I have had strong passion for basketball since I was a young boy. It is that passion that has been driving me and my company to do more for the sport. The year 2016 will be another great year for bastketbal,” said Kalua.

Gracing the gala night was Malawi’s South African based basketball professional player Justin Luwemba, who encouraged the young players to set goals for themselves in order to succeed in the sport.

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