adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S senior men and women teams’ hopes of qualifying for the Olympic Games suffered a major blow after both teams lost some of their matches at the ongoing African Championships in South Africa.
The tournament in South Africa is also serving as qualifiers for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and only the top team in each category will earn the ticket to compete at the global event.
However, Zimbabwe appear to be out of contention for the ticket to Rio after losing some of their opening matches at the championships that are currently underway in Johannesburg.
The men’s side has so far won two matches against Namibia and Botswana. They beat Namibia 6-3 before dismissing Botswana 19 -0.
But earlier on in their opening match of the tournament they had lost 0-16 to South Africa. While the men’s team had lost just one match by yesterday the women’s side suffered three defeats against Kenya, Ghana and South Africa and are definitely out of contention for a place at the Olympic Games.
Zimbabwe lost 0-2 to Kenya, 0-4 to Ghana and then 0-6 to South Africa on Tuesday. They beat Tanzania 9-0 in their first match of the competition.
Hockey Association of Zimbabwe president, Humphrey Chigwedere said they are now aiming to finish on a respectable position since they are out of contention for a spot in Rio.
“I don’t think we still stand a chance because only one team is qualifying and we are still a long way to go especially the women. We will probably finish on a respectable position.
“The girls have so far lost three games. The men lost one match and are number three in their group while South Africa are leading and we have to play Ghana tomorrow (today). For the women, South Africa are leading again.
“The exposure is great and our rankings are likely to go up. For instance we beat Tanzania who were above us maybe because they play so many international tournaments. So our rankings are likely to improve,” said Chigwedere.
The teams had a rest day yesterday with the men set to take on Ghana today while the women’s side date Namibia. The championships are running up to Sunday.
Meanwhile, Guinea Fowl High School in Gweru will this Saturday host the inaugural Midlands Challenge Hockey tournament in a bid to revive the sport in the province. Tournament promoter, Custom Kachambwa, said the one-day event is targeting primary and secondary schools as well as clubs. “Our intention is to have the top four boys and girls primary schools, secondary schools top four both boys and girls and then the Midlands Lions will play Eradicators for the champions cup.
“Instead of getting prizes for schools, we are coming up with a programme of planting grass on their hockey fields. It’s for continuity and upbringing the standard of hockey,” said Kachambwa.
Kachambwa said Midlands is the second largest hockey playing province in the country and they felt there is need to revamp the sport that has gone into the doldrums in the province.
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