adminDurban-based Umlazi Handball Club, through the South African Handball Federation, to send eight junior teams for an invitational tournament that is set to run from December 3-5.
And the ZHF have picked eight schools — Howard High School (Mashonaland Central), Houghton Park Primary School, Churchill Boys High School, Girls High School, Pinewood (all from Harare), JZ Moyo High School (Bulawayo), Kwekwe High School (Midlands) and Shangaani High School (Matabeleland South) — for this invitational tournament in Durban.
“This is an Under-20 tournament but we have also been asked to bring an Under-13 developmental side and we have chosen Houghton Park Primary School of Harare for this trip.
“This will mark the first time that ZHF will be sending schools sides to South Africa since we agreed to have an exchange programme with the South African Handball Federation during the IHF Zone Six Under-20 Challenge Trophy tournament in Johannesburg in April this year.
“So, we will be using this trip as part of our efforts to strengthen our ties with our friends from across the Limpopo River and this will also go a long way in developing the sport in Zimbabwe at grassroots level,” Madzvamuse said.
The ZHF boss also said that they will be using next month’s tour of Durban as part of their preparations for the 2013 IHF Zone Six Under-20 Challenge Trophy tournament that will be held in Malawi in April.
“It is from this invitational tournament in Durban that we hope to select our boys and girls Under-20 team that will do duty for the nation during next April’s IHF Zone Six Under-20 Challenge Trophy tournament in Malawi.
“But I must emphasise that all these eight teams that we’ve selected for the tour of South Africa were picked on merit and that is why we also have Howard High School, the 2011 Under-16 Cup champions, as part of our touring party.
“So, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all these schools, their SDAs and the parents for supporting us as it will cost us US$45 000 to take these eight teams to Durban,” Madzvamuse said.
The eight schools are scheduled to leave Harare for Durban by road on December 2 and return home on December 7.
Peter Dera, the headmaster of Howard High School, said they were looking forward to taking part in the Umlazi invitational tournament and they have already picked a 15-member boys team for this event.
“We, at Howard High School, are very excited to be have been chosen by the ZHF to be among the eight local schools that will represent Zimbabwe in South Africa next month.
“We have always been playing handball at Howard High School and this trip to South Africa will certainly help in making the sport more popular at our school.
“But the most important thing is that this invitational tournament in Durban will give all the players the much-needed international exposure at an early stage,” Dera said.
Like Howard High School, Harare’s Houghton Park Primary School have also selected their team for the Umlazi invitational tournament.
Teams
Howard High School: Munashe Muza, Jonathan Ganyaupfu, Washington Nyabunze, Privilege Tarasika, Clive Muroyiwa, Edmond Tembani, Ngonidzashe Mawoyo, Nyasha Chibwe, Joseph Matope, Terrence Veremu, Jack Blessed, Trevor Nyakudya, Phillip Munyaradzi, Brandon Mutende, Rukudzo Tigere.
Houghton Primary School: Blessing Mandebvu, Tawiwa Gondo, Meluleki Dube, Chargmaine Mhou, Alex Maguta, Shalom Ngwira, Fadzai Nemaure, Lynny Musabayane, Kudakwashe Mungate, Natasha Mujuru, Eunice Chiboora, Panashe Muguta, Millicent Masunda, Kisha Muchingami, Tinashe Magawa, Rumbidzai Kunyarimwe, Kudakwashe Choendesa, Cymone Chamunorwa, Natasha Jaboni, Stephene Mutambasoja, Rodrick Mungazi.
Online Reporter