adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S Under-17 boys and girls hockey teams competing at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games qualifiers in Lusaka, Zambia, found the going tough yesterday with the boys settling for a draw while the girls lost to Namibia.The six-day tournament will run until Saturday with Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia battling it out in the boys and girls categories. The top two countries in each section will progress to the second Summer Youth Olympic Games scheduled for Nanjing, China from August 16 to 28.
Zimbabwe began their campaign on a losing note with the boys’ team losing to underdogs Zambia 6-1 on Monday. They suffered their second defeat at the hands of South Africa when they were beaten 10-3 on Tuesday before settling for a 5-5 draw against Kenya yesterday blowing away their chances of progressing to the final event in China.
It was the same story for the girls’ team in their opening match on Monday as they were thumped 13-2 by South Africa before they hammered Kenya 15-0 in their second game to revive their hopes of qualification on Tuesday.
However, their hopes were dashed yesterday when they were defeated 8-2 by Namibia and they are now out of contention for the two slots to the main competition in Nanjing.
Both teams will play their last group stages matches today with the boys set to take on Kenya while the girls have a date against Zambia and they will be hoping to secure a place in the third and fourth play-offs pencilled for Saturday.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe vice-president, Humphrey Chigwedere said its unfortunate the teams failed to make it to the top two which would have seen them progressing to the Youth Olympic Games in August.
“It means both teams are out because they are left with one game each. I don’t see ourselves going to the finals. There are five teams and for the girls they are now fighting for the third and fourth play-offs hoping for third place.
Online Reporter