admin Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
THE Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) is working to source funds for players’ welfare during their preparations for the World Series to be held in September.
Haz has admitted the financial dilemma that they are in after senior national team coach Colin Williams said on Monday that players are forced to pay every time they report for national duty.
In an interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday, Haz spokesperson Humphrey Chindungo said they are making efforts to get the association vibrant again.
“We are struggling yes, but we are approaching some sponsors to help us bounce back so that we can get this institution running again.
“We are also set to meet the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to map the way forward on our financial situation,” said Chindungo.
He confirmed that players are financing themselves to attend practice sessions and camps.
“Yes they pay for their own expenses, but not entirely. When it comes to the matches we chip in, but we are working on improving that scenario.
“It’s even the same with Under-17s who are preparing for the Junior World Championship in Zambia next month, so they are our priority at the moment,” he said
South Africa-based Williams gave a sad appraisal of the game of hockey on Monday and challenged Haz to engage the SRC so that players could have access to training facilities.
“It’s just that we don’t own the stadium. That has been the issue for some time. We are still engaging the involved partners to assist on that issue, but it’s been there for a while,” said Chindungo.
Williams noted that senior national teams are also starved of international activity as Haz has failed to organise friendly matches in the run-up to the World Series League.
“We have been focusing on the Under-17s because their games are closer. We are going to organise something for the senior teams after meeting as an association and looking at the coach’s proposal,” Chindungo said.
Zimbabwe men’s team is in the same group with Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia and African champions Egypt.
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