Tanzania Basketball Federation’s president Musa Mziya said his body is having a difficult moment to host this year’s edition of Africa Zone five championship set for August in Dar es Salaam.

Mziya said TBF is trying both ends against the middle to search for sponsors and refurbish the Indoor National Stadium which is the selected venue of the event.

For moment TBF is trying to stage a fund raising gala to boost the federation’s coffers.

However, the TBF president said several sponsors have shown interest to extend support for staging the tourney but need presence of the United Republic of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, during the event.

“We are really in hectic moment to date the President for the fund raising gala as he is busy with other important national issues. However, we are striving to meet the objective in time before hosting the tourney,” said Mziya.

The zonal championships normally include national club champions for both men and ladies.

Teams for the tourney are expected from Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Zambia, Burundi, Rwanda and hosts Tanzania.

The TBF secretariat is now working around the clock to organize the fund raising, refurbishment of the venue and reservations for accommodation of the teams.

TBF secured the hosting status at the end of the previous zonal championship held in Bujumbura.

However, Mziya remained optimistic to sail through the hurdles and stage a successful championship.