Hockey teams tumble

Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Under-17 hockey teams failed to qualify for the Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held in Naijing, China, in August following a disappointing outing at the qualifiers held last week in Zambia.The Zimbabwe youth teams played their last round robin matches on Thursday which they lost with the boys going down 2-7 to Kenya while the girls were beaten 2-4 by Zambia.

Five countries — Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe — participated at the week-long competition.

South Africa continued their dominance in African hockey at all levels qualifying for both finals in the girls and boys’ categories where they were expected to take on Namibia and Zambia respectively last night. All the finalists will represent the continent at the Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Despite failing to make it for the semi-finals, Hockey Association of Zimbabwe vice president Humphrey Chigwedere said they were proud of the youth teams’ effort.

Zimbabwe boys’ team anchored the log standings with the girls finishing fourth and proceeded to play in the third place play-off which they lost 2-6 to Zambia.

The girls’ team had managed a single win over winless Kenya who they beat 15-0.

“We are proud of the youth team though they failed to get Summer Youth Olympic Games places. We still hope for better performance in future,” Chigwedere said.

He said the poor performance by the youth teams could be due to the fact that it was the first time for the country to take part in the five-a-side version of the game.