Handball teams shine

Collin Matiza in CAPE TOWN, South Africa
A NEW and an interesting chapter was added into the history books of Zimbabwean handball when the country’s boys and girls Under-18 national teams took part in the inaugural Young Masters International Tournament at Gugulethu Sports Complex here at the weekend. The weekend saw the Zimbabwean teams becoming the first sides from the Southern African region to play in this youth tournament which was organised by a German non-profit organisation, the GeBe Education and Sports Foundation, in conjunction with the Cape Town-based Young Masters Handball Club and the Western Cape Handball Association.

And after both the Zimbabwe boys and girls Under-18 teams made a big impression with their outstanding performances on the opening day of this two-day tournament on Saturday night, the Young Masters Handball Club invited them to be part of this competition which they (the YMHC) will now be hosting annually from next year.

The Zimbabwean teams were also invited to take part in next year’s Hanse Cup, a youth handball tournament which is hosted annually by TSG Bergedorf of Germany.

Both Zimbabwean teams were just outstanding both on and off the court as they gave a good account of themselves against opposition clubs from South Africa that were also invited to take part in this competition.

First on the indoor court at the Gugulethu Sports Complex on Saturday night was the Zimbabwe boys Under-18 “B” side who took on Gugulethu Handball Club from Cape Town and the Zimbabweans were just too good for their awe-struck opponents who they outclassed 18-10. And not to be outdone by the boys side was the Zimbabwe girls Under-18 team who were next on the court against the host club side Young Masters Handball Club who they massacred 29-4 before a big and noisy crowd of about 2 000 South African handball fans.

The Zimbabwe girls Under-18 side was mostly made up of talented players from Harare’s Girls High School.

Appearing in the Zimbabwean colours in this match were Trish Mahendere, Joyline Tanatswa, Rosemary Tahwa, Yanai Manyonga, Kudzanai Machawira, Ruvimbo Mudyanadzo, Bernadette Mutyoza, Melissa Nheta, Natasha Bayipayi, Norma Suche, Melissa Makuwe, Nicola Magaya, Tariro Munetsi and Mavis Dzingayi.

They were under the guidance of one of the country’s national coaches Daniel Mtandwa.

And after watching the mauling of the Young Masters Club’s girls Under-18 side by their female teammates, the Zimbabwe boys Undder-18 “A” side were then thrown into the fray against Cape Stars Handball Club in the main match of the night.

The Zimbabwe boys Under-18 “A” side came up against a strong Cape Stars side that had five players from Zimbabwe who are now based here in South Africa and it came as no big surprise as this blood and thunder match ended in a 13-13 draw.