Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Under-18 and Under-20 men’s provisional squads for the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone VI Youth and Men’s tournament are scheduled to get down to business next month to prepare for a regional assignment.
This follows the trials that were conducted last month in Bulawayo and Harare.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation president Taurai Muberekwa confirmed they are sending both youth and junior teams for the tournament.
And will begin periodic camps, first week of March for the competition due to take place from April 28 to May 3 in Lusaka, Zambia.
“We are sending two teams for the competition, that is, the Under-18s and Under- 20s teams.
“Now we go to the preparations. We had successful trials. Now we have players that were short-listed to be called into periodic camps.
“From each team we have got 35 players, so they have to be trimmed to 16 players depending on positions. And the quality and talent, from what the technical team will be expecting from these players.”
“Basically, the periodic camps assist us in preparing for and testing different combinations ahead of the preparations.
“In actual fact, we are looking for the first periodic camp to be on next weekend, which is the first weekend of March, to be done in Harare.
“And then we have the second one, and then we have the final one, which will be the longer one, which stretches for three weeks, and then that one automatically stretches into the camps when we go to Zambia,” said Muberekwa.
With the Open Season tournament on this weekend in Beitbridge, most of the players are expected to be in action for their respective clubs. The tournament, to mark the start of the 2026 competition, is slated for Saturday and Sunday at Beitbridge Primary School.
“We decided to go to the grassroots, so that we have more teams from that side. This will assist in having teams and also in marketing the sport to all corners of Zimbabwe, leaving no place behind.
“That’s our motto.”
Muberekwa said the ultimate goal is for both teams to advance to the continental phase.
The Under-20 side has been to the continental tournament before, earning their tickets when winning the 2022 and 2024 regional events, hosted in Harare.
“Our targets are quite big, given that we want to go to the continental stage.”
As local competition begins, Muberekwa said they are looking to grow the sport across the country and compete in other regional competitions.
“We are expecting to have increased participation both in the field and off the field, with also increased partnership, participation, improved partnership or financial support from the corporate world.
“We are also going to have the IHF Licence D from 22 to 26 of April in Harare. This is a prerequisite for our national teams’ coaches. Basically, we are saying we also target to empower our coaches and our delivery agencies into this game,” Muberekwa said.
The national federation is also looking at strategies to market and increase visibility of the sport among other targets they have set for themselves.
