Hockey star determined to lead Zim to Olympics

Brighton Zhawi
HOCKEY star Jenna Palmer is determined to lead Zimbabwe to a second Olympic appearance.
The country’s debut appearance came in 1980 when the Golden Girls won gold and successive attempts to qualify for the Games have ended in disappointment.
However, the 30-year old Palmer, who led Zimbabwe to the 2005 Under-21 World Cup in Chile and had a stint in the United Kingdom, believes this week’s qualifiers in South Africa will bring some joy.
The African Olympic Qualifiers will run from October 22-30 with nine countries, including giants South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria and Egypt battling for the two tickets to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“I am very privileged to be one of the older players in the team and am hoping to lead by example when we play such countries as Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya,” said Palmer.
“I have been playing for many years, representing Zimbabwe and played at the All Africa Games in Nigeria but the Olympics are the ultimate dream.”
Palmer is enjoying her game and expressed confidence in the “passionate” Zimbabwe ladies team that raised its own funds for the trip to South Africa.
“I am very happy with my hockey at the moment, am feeling confident and strong.
“We are very good players on paper and on the field.
“I am hoping that even if it has been a short time (to prepare) we can come together and give everybody a good run for their money and hopefully we can qualify for the Olympics,” she said,
The Chelsea Drifters player said the chance to become the first hockey team to play at the Olympics since the famous Golden Girls is enough motivation for the team.
“Since the Golden Girls, no hockey team has been to the Olympics, so it will be great history if we go.
“The girls are very passionate, it’s been put together in the very last minute and we had to finance it ourselves.
“Just seeing the excitement and the passion the girls have showed to put themselves onto this tour makes me very excited.
“This Olympic dream is very exciting, I hope that drives us to get there,” she said.