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BULAWAYO’S Black Panthers are this year’s Zimbabwe Handball Federation Women President’s Trophy champions after beating Zambia’s Kasifi Dynamite at Houghton Park Primary School over the weekend.
The two-day event attracted 25 teams including two clubs from Zambia — Kasifi Dynamite and Lusaka Tigers.
The matches were played in a round robin with the 25 teams divided into five groups of five and 12 teams from the first round progressed to the second stage which saw 12 clubs fighting for the four slots into the semi-finals. The top four made it to the semi-finals.
Black Panthers beat Kasifi Dynamite 6-3 in the finals. They had earlier on dismissed Danamombe of Masvingo 9-6 in the semi-finals while Kasifi Dynamite prevailed over Muketa from Midlands 6-4 in the other semi-final to book their place in the finals.
For their efforts, Black Panthers walked away with a trophy, playing kit and US$150 while Kasifi Dynamite got a playing kit and US$50.
Black Panthers coach, Nosizi Dube attributed their victory to experience and said they are happy that they now have a women’s tournament as it gives them the opportunity to prove that they can also play at a higher level.
“The games were fine and we really enjoyed. There were two teams from Zambia and it shows that the sport is growing and we are being recognised as Zimbabwe.
“As Black Panthers we always promise to do our best in everything and I think experience played a part in our victory. I played handball at school and some of my players were at the Youth Games and that is where we get our inspiration.
“We are being recognised as women that we can also contribute in developing sport and we see that we can really go places if given that chance as women,” said Dube.
All participating teams got participation certificates and there were also individual prizes for the outstanding players.
Dube who was also playing was voted player of the tournament while Patience Moyo got the top goal scorer award and Miriam Ndarara was voted goalkeeper of the tournament. All the three players are from Black Panthers.
National chairperson of ZHF, Senzeni Bushe said they were happy to see some improvement from the women’s teams in terms of their technical abilities and skills despite the failure to turn up by some teams that were expected to compete in the event.
“There was a great improvement this time around in the women’s tournament. There was a high standard of performance especially from Muteka from Mberengwa and Danamombe had a good game also. We also had good players who played really well such as the player of the tournament and the top goal scorer,” said Bushe.
Bushe said they are now embarking on junior development from the grassroots as they seek to improve at all levels.
Online Reporter