KARACHI, Feb 19: As many as 12 teams are set to vie for honours when the Sindh Sports Minister Cup Inter-club basketball tournament gets into action at Arambagh floodlit court on Monday.

According to draws, three matches are on card for the opening day. Bounce Club meets Neighbourhood Club juniors in the first match at 6.30pm. This will be followed second match between Arambagh Club and Askari Club at 7.30pm while the third match is slated between Aga Khan University Club and Karachi Youth Club at 8.30pm.

The draws were taken out in presence of the representatives of competing teams at the venue on Saturday evening.

According to secretary of Karachi Basketball Association, former international, Abdul Nasir, the teams have been equally drawn into four groups.

On completion of group matches, top two teams of each group would advance into quarter-finals that will be played on Feb 24. The semi-finals take place the following day while the final is fixed for Feb 26, he added.

He added that the winning team will be awarded Rs30,000 while the runners-up and third position holders receives Rs20,000 and Rs10,000 respectively.

The event, he said, has been sponsored by ministry of sports, Sindh, who are doling out a sum of Rs1,00,000 for the competition.

Groups: A: Neighbourhood Club Seniors, Askari Club and Arambagh Club.

B: Bounce Club, Dow Club and Neighbourhood Club Juniors.

C: Karachi Basketball Club (KBBC), Aga Khan University Club and Karachi Youth Club.

D: Nishtar Club, Malir Club and Manora Club.—Sports Correspondent