Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S volleyball clubs are preparing for Polokwane where this year’s Confederation of African Volleyball Zone Six Club Championships will run from Tuesday next week to 21.
It is a stage that has grown in stature and pressure and Zimbabwe want to send eight teams into the contest.
Four men’s sides and four women’s teams are in camp as they wrap up preparations for a showcase that continues to attract stronger fields every year.
Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are all expected to feature. ZVA secretary-general, Priestledge Nhamburo, said the teams have settled into camp well.
“Most of the teams are departing on Monday evening while others will travel on Tuesday.”
UZ Wolves men, who arrive as defending champions, travel with Chinhoyi University, Ruwa and Black Rhinos. Harare City, UZ Wolves women, Chinhoyi University and Raven Claw step in as the women’s hopefuls.
“We are in the process of developing volleyball and when our clubs get an opportunity to participate at this level, we get to learn a lot from established leagues,” he said.
“Our aim is to take volleyball to every corner of Zimbabwe and be able to produce talent which we can export.
“We have a few players who are doing duty out there, we want the numbers to increase and for us to be able to make Volleyball a viable business.”
He added: “We need as much competition as we can because it will work for the good of our local game. While aiming to bring silverware back home, we also want our teams to gain exposure and for our players to be able to market themselves on the big stage.”
UZ Wolves men and UP Maputo women are the teams to beat.
Mathew Masinge