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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe national Under-17 boys and girls hockey teams completed their preparations for the Youth Olympic Games qualifiers yesterday morning at Arundel School with their coaches hopeful both teams will qualify for the final event. The qualifiers are expected to run from March 10 to 15 in Lusaka with Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the hosts taking part.
The top two countries in each section will progress to the second Summer Youth Olympic Games to be staged in Nanjing, China in August.
Nigeria, who were also set to compete in these qualifiers, have since pulled out leaving the five countries to battle it out for the two slots in each category.
Zimbabwe began their preparations late last year when they played some friendly matches against Zambia and the players have had a few camps in Harare during weekends.
The boys team coach, Prince Mwale, said they have done most of the work and they were using the two-day camp to psyche up their players for the tournament.
“I think we have done the bulk of the work. The training sessions have been good and the boys, I think, are now ready to perform.
“The morale is good, the boys are coming together as a team on and off the field. There are no injuries to speak of at the moment and that’s why we break camp (after the morning session) so that we do not pick injuries.
“The trip is going to take a toll on them so they just need to rest,” said Mwale.
The girls team coach, Jooks Lowe, said she was hopeful they will qualify for the final event in China.
“Our preparations have been quite good. We have taken over six months to prepare and the young girls have been working hard. They are very excited, confident and positive about what they are doing.
“I don’t know how the other countries are playing but obviously we are going there with the intent to qualify,” said Lowe.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe vice-president, Humphrey Chigwedere, said they are likely to face tough competition from Kenya and South Africa.
“I think we will qualify since we have two teams that are progressing from these qualifiers, especially the girls. If they hold it up together they can progress.
“I think most of the competition will come from Kenya and South Africa. Zambia, we know, they gave us a tough time when they came here but I think we are prepared, we can tackle them.
“However, the boys have to work hard but the girls have a better chance,” said Chigwedere.
The teams are expected to leave for Zambia by road early today ahead of the six-day tournament.
Zimbabwe hockey teams:
Boys: Tafara Simon, Peter Trustham, Bryn Lowe, Stefano Bellini-Martin, Takunda Chipumha, Keith Bruce, Philip Machaya, Happious Njitimani, Forbes Motsi, Newton Mashanyare.
Girls: Kudzai Mushongahande, Zahra Finnigan, Carla Oudshoorn, Stephanie Campbell, Sophie Teede, Niki Hiripis, Aimee-Beth Nativel, Estelle Stambolie, Grace Mazarura, Chelsea Dollar.
Online Reporter