Revamped basketball courts attract players
PARKVIEW – The second set of courts are set to be completed by March.
Basketball players are delighted to play outdoors on a newly-revamped court at Zoo Lake.
Chairperson of the Zoo Lake Users Committee, Fran Haslam said she and the committee were thankful to Nike for their generous sponsorship which assisted to bring the revamp to completion.
Fibre mesh was installed and markings repainted to make the court sturdy and safe.
“Basketball is the fastest growing sport in South Africa. We want to give players a safe and fun place to play outdoors. Netball players travel here from as far as Benoni to use the new court. It has added such value to Zoo Lake,” said Haslam.
“When the second court is complete, this area will be state-of-the-art. We want this to be a family park. Green open spaces like this have become so important, especially during Covid-19, for relaxation. We are so blessed to have this park in the middle of the suburbs for all to enjoy.”
Basketball trainer, coach and caretaker of the courts Ronald Mokhali said, “Before the courts were revamped, we were seeing lots of injuries from people slipping on the courts. Since the resurfacing, we have seen a lot of new faces and now it’s much safer and cleaner for players.”
Basketball player Thabo Kobola described the courts as being of NBA (National Basketball Association) standard.
“I come here because of the coaching from Ronald. These courts are so safe and it’s free and great to be outdoors,” said Kobola.
Haslam emphasised that the courts were to be used exclusively for basketball and netball. They were not for soccer, skateboarding or rollerblading.
She urged all users to respect the courts and leave them in the same state as they found them.
The second set of courts is set to be completed by March.
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