Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Nedbank Premier Netball League started yesterday with matches played around Zimbabwe in the bubble concept, adopted during the Covid-19 era.
A bubble is where clubs assemble at one place and play as if in a round-robin format at a tournament.
Matches were yesterday spread at the following centres Harare, Bulawayo, Beitbridge, Kwekwe, Masvingo, Marondera, Murehwa and Mutare.
The Zimbabwe Netball Association through the Premier Netball League is committed to promoting and empowering the girl child through playing professional netball across all the 10 provinces in the country.
“There are 20 teams this year, with some teams getting promoted from Division One. Matches are played in a bubble format of four to six teams per bubble. There were Zimbabwe National Ball Association (Zina) plays-off on 15 February and on 8 March there was our pre-season tournament in preparation of games that were played today,” said Zina spokesperson, Innocent Ndiya yesterday.
The League announced that it will soon launch its website and is also keen to have a live television coverage of games.
“We are currently working on the organisation’s website. With local partnerships, PNL is working towards collaborating with local newspapers, radio stations and TV channels to broadcast games and provide live coverage,” he said.
He also commended Nedbank for sticking around as sponsors of the vibrant league.
Tonderayi Magaya who was at White City Stadium said Black Rhinos, Imbizo, Tongogara and Falcon were the teams that played in Bulawayo.
He said in three weeks’ time they will be back in Bulawayo for more games.
Results
Harare Bubble: Makate 47-27 P Stars, Harare City 69-21, Harare District 58-24 Brace
Mutare Bubble: ZDF 81-21 Bikita Minerals, Mutare City 55-30 Buffalo Queens,
Bulawayo Bubble: Tongogara 30-56 Imbizo, Rhinos 53-23 Tongogara, Falcon 42-31 Imbizo, Rhinos 61-30 Falcon
Sidumisile Mabena