malvernmugadzikwa
Veronica Gwaze
Sports Reporter
WHEN Zimbabwe senior netball team winger Progress Moyo made it into the 2023 Netball World Cup final squad, she knew all her hard work had finally paid off.
The tournament is scheduled for Cape Town, South Africa, between July 28 and August 6.
For months, Moyo, who also turns out for Platinum Queens, endured a rigorous training schedule in the hope of reclaiming her “seemingly” lost form.
In fact, when she walked onto the court in 2021, just after a two-year Covid-19-induced break, her career seemed to be on the rocks.
Moyo was bigger, visibly out of shape and had lost confidence.
Despite having been a vital cog in the rise of the Zvishavane-based side just before the pandemic hit the world, completing a 60-minute match had simply become an enormous task for her.
Last year, she got a Gems’ call-up for the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers, which were held in Pretoria, South Africa.
However, she failed to make the cut.
“I had given up. People were gossiping about me and some of the stories got to my ears, so this affected me a lot,” said Moyo in an interview with The Sunday Mail Sport.
“My world was crumbling and all I could do was pretend to be fine.
“However, I thought of how far this game had brought me and figured that I had to take all that talk as positive criticism.”
The 2018 Rainbow Netball Amateur League Player of the Year then decided to go through rigorous workout sessions and put in some extra hours in training to get back into shape.
A season later, her weight-loss journey paid off, the result of which saw her make the grade for this month’s World Cup.
“It is a huge opportunity to receive a national team call-up,” she said.
“Netball gave me a life and so I had to do everything right to get my mojo back.
“Honestly, the call-up was not much of a surprise as I had worked for it.
“These are just the results,” she chuckled.
Moyo notes that the World Cup appearance could be the much-needed springboard in her netball career.
“When I began playing netball, I would watch videos of renowned New Zealand star Maria Folau and, in my heart, would say one day, it will be my turn.
“I told myself that every opportunity should be used to open a new chapter in my career,” she said.
Whether or not she will get game time at the World Cup, Moyo feels the call-up alone is enough to boost her confidence.
“Making it into the top 12, among the country’s finest, is enough for me to celebrate.
“I believe the best is yet to come, so I keep working hard,” said the winger.
“My mother always tells me to be my best on the court . . . so I will just go there and proudly play my heart out.
“The team is in high spirits and ready for the global showcase. We are going there to make an impact, not to just add numbers.”
The Nedbank-sponsored Gems left for Cape Town on Thursday, and are expected to play friendly matches against England, Wales, Scotland and Barbados before the World Cup starts.
National Foods, Schweppes, Zimbabwe Cricket (Cric Shop) and Cresta have also extended a helping hand to the team, although more financial assistance is still needed.
Final Squad
Felisitus Kwangwa, Joice Takaidza, Nalani Makunde, Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Nicole Muzanenhamo, Beaulah Hlungwani, Claris Kwaramba, Progress Moyo, Issa Zimusi, Elizabeth Mushore, Tanaka Makusha, Ursula Ndlovu, Tafadzwa Mawango.
Bongani Ndlovu