adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
CHURCHILL Boys High are this year’s Harare Handball Association season opening tournament winners after beating Prince Edward School in the Under-20 finals on Saturday at Zengeza 4 High.
The tournament saw Under-20 and Under-16 teams from different schools in the province taking part in the boys and girls categories.
Churchill who won the title last year proved to be the best team of the day as they defended their title when they dismissed Prince Edward 19-3 in a one sided affair in the final. Both schools had finished on top in their groups.
Zengeza 4 won the bronze medal after beating Harare High 11-8.
Churchill went on to scoop the boys Under-16 title when they overpowered Seke 2 High 8-2.
In the girls section Girls High School retained the Under-20 title when they defeated Hatfield Girls High 8-4. And it was vice-versa in the Under-16 age-group as Hatfield beat Girls High 7-5 to walk away with the title.
Girls High School sports director, Miriam Moyo said they are happy with the team’s performance but indicated that the tournament was not very competitive as some of the expected schools failed to turn up for the event.
“Last year we were the national champions for the Under-20 and this time around it was a provincial season opener. Girls High being a girls school of excellence in terms of handball we expected to win. There wasn’t much competition considering that most of the schools failed to bring their best teams.
“We are happy they won and we hope when it comes to the actual Harare province tournament to be held in July we are going to defend our title and at national level as well,” said Moyo.
Harare Handball Association chairperson, Tatenda Musekiwa said despite the low turnout, the tournament went on well and there was improvement in terms of the quality of play.
“We had 14 teams, some didn’t turn up but the competition was okay, it was good because for teams like Harare High and Seke it was their first time to play and it was pleasing to see them progressing to the final. Some managed to get medals.
“There is a great improvement from last year because even the handball that was played it was professional. Many of the teams have been exposed to the Partille Cup and there is improvement. Last year it was pick and drop, there was actually no entertainment.
“This year it was more professional and entertaining. The level of refereeing and officiating was excellent,” said Musekiwa.
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