AS the bounce of basketballs echoes once more at Khanyisile Sports Centre later this month, Bulawayo Basketball Association (BBA) presidenthas declared that they are aiming for higher standards in the upcoming season.
Once a powerhouse of Zimbabwean basketball, Bulawayo produced dominant clubs such as Peking Stars and Highlanders, while schools like Founders and Northlea excelled in national tournaments such as the Major Leyland Trophy.
The city was the heartbeat of the sport in the 1980s and 1990s and the new BBA executive is determined to revive that golden era.
"We want packed courts again. We want national titles again. But more than anything, we want to create a system where Bulawayo can develop players, coaches and administrators who can carry this legacy forward," said Mono.
"We cannot talk about elite competition without first looking at the foundation. Our vision is rooted in developing young talent from primary school right through to club level. We are working on partnerships with schools, communities and local coaches to ensure basketball is accessible, structured and aspirational from the grassroots up.
That's how we'll secure the next generation of players and leaders for Bulawayo basketball," said Mono.
The BBA is set to launch its 2025 season on 27 September with a high-octane 3-on-3 tournament, spearheaded by newly re-elected president Mono a seasoned administrator with deep roots in the game.
For Mono, this campaign represents more than just the return of basketball action, it marks the beginning of a bold new chapter.
"This is not just the beginning of a new season it's the beginning of a new era. Our vision is simple: to return Bulawayo to the top of the national basketball hierarchy, where it belongs.
This executive is committed to rebuilding from the ground up and creating a sustainable structure for the sport," said Mono.
The 3-on-3 competition at Khanyisile will serve as a curtain-raiser, followed by a pre-season tournament before the elite league gets underway in earnest in early October.
In the men's division, teams such as Bulawayo City Royals, Mavericks, Lakers, Highlanders, Catch Them Young, and Nust are set to compete.
The women's division promises equal excitement, with sides including Lakers, Titans, Imbizo and Giants preparing to battle for supremacy.
But beyond fixtures and finals, Mono's focus remains strategic.
"We have assembled a strong, diverse team of administrators. Our goal is not just to host games, it's to build pathways for youth development, improve the standard of coaching, bring professionalism to club management and reignite the passion we all remember from the 80s and 90s."
The newly appointed BBA executive blends experience with fresh energy. Key figures include Tino Gumbo (Secretary General), Tanaka Masarirambi (Treasurer) and Zanele Nzima (Women and Youths), alongside technical and marketing heads all united under Mono's leadership.