Benguela Triumphs in National Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Championship

Caxito:Benguela Misto de Benguela clinched the title at the National Senior Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championship by defeating Misto do Huambo 30-14 in the final held at the José Armando Sayovo Paralympic Complex in Bengo province. According to Angola Press News Agency, Misto de Benguela's victory dethroned the previous champions, Mártires do Kuito. The team was led by Valentina Tchiteculo, who emerged as the top scorer and was named the tournament's MVP, contributing 12 points to the win. Head coach Joo Baptista highlighted the significance of the championship for Misto de Benguela, citing the personal challenges faced by team members off the court. "This year was atypical. We faced a very difficult situation where many team members lost their homes and belongings," Baptista stated, emphasizing the importance of the victory for the team. Misto do Huambo's coach, Walter Ekuikui, acknowledged Benguela's effective play and pointed out his team's mistakes as crucial factors in the outcome. "These are two teams that know each other well," Ekuikui commented. "We did everything within our reach, but we couldn't execute our plan. Small details made the difference." In the playoff for third place, Misto do Cuito do Bié secured a 27-14 victory over Centro de Reabilitaço Profissional de Viana (CRP) to win the bronze medal. The tournament, which featured eight teams, took place from September 18 to 26 in Caxito and included initiatives aimed at promoting adaptive sports in Angola.