Zambia's basketball coach, Noah Mabutwe, has set ambitious goals for his team as they prepare for their debut in the under-16 AfroBasket Championship in Tunisia. In an interview, Mabutwe revealed that their primary objective is to advance from the group stage, considering this tournament as a valuable learning experience. "The girls have dedicated themselves to leaving a mark as the first Zambian team to compete in the AfroBasket. They have put in immense effort to reach this stage and their enthusiasm remains unwavering," Mabutwe emphasized. Comparable to the Africa Cup of Nations in football, the AfroBasket Championship offers a chance for the winner to secure a spot in next year's World U-17 Championships. While Mabutwe maintains an optimistic outlook regarding the team's performance in this continental event, financial concerns loom overhead. FIBA had previously announced its commitment to covering the accommodation costs for the Zambian girls' team during the tournament. When questioned about the uncertainties surrounding the trip, Mabutwe reassured that the coaching staff is focused on motivating the players to concentrate solely on their performance, while administrative matters are left to the relevant authorities to resolve. "We don't want this issue to affect them, but we acknowledge that they are aware of it. I firmly believe the trip will proceed as planned. These are young girls, and it's crucial to keep their morale high," he expressed. Following their respective silver medal wins at the Africa Union Sports Commission Region-five Youth Games in Malawi last year, both the Zambian boys' and girls' under-16 teams are expected to participate in the AfroBasket Championship. Zambia has recently made an impressive impact in the regional senior qualifiers, where the local team managed to defeat African giants Mozambique, igniting ambitious dreams within the Zambia Basketball Federation. Mabutwe revealed that the tournament is set to commence on July 13th in Tunis, with a squad of 15 players that he is currently working with. The players in the training camp include Yasmeen Blokhuis, Shiela Mbulo, Simubali Cholwe, Shanzi Tonga, Chaibela Katongo, Sepho Mwabane Phiri, Abigail Mwale, and Shilla Mukemu. Rounding out the team are Ruth Kabalika, Fostina Kafula, Memory Kaleshi, Bupe Mubanga, Precious Banda, Lukebusha Liheshi, and Sheba Hellen. A total of 12 countries are expected to participate in the tournament, and the official draw is scheduled to take place today.