adminJillian Shava Sport Reporter
THE Zimbabwe senior national netball side will join 10 other countries for the African Netball championships to be held in Namibia from June 27-July 3.
A 26-member squad has been camped at Mabelreign Girls High School in Harare from June 3 and was whittled down to 17 on Wednesday. The squad would be further trimmed to the final 12, who will travel for the continental championships.
Petronella Gonye, the Zimbabwe team manager said the 17 girls and technical team were set to move their camp to Kwekwe yesterday at the invitation of Glow Petroleum owner Aaron Chinhara, who will host them at his Glow Petroleum netball team house in the Midlands town.
Chinhara will also bear the team’s travel costs and entire stay in Kwekwe.
He has previously sponsored the national netball side and has again offered his team bus, fuel and driver to transport the squad to Namibia for the tournament.
Barbra Rice, secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Netball Association praised Chinhara for his continued support of the national netball side saying his dedication to the sport was demonstrated by the fact that he had a registered Glow team in the Netball Premier League.
This would be Zimbabwe’s fifth appearance in the tournament having emerged fourth in the 2014 championships held in Botswana.
Perpetual Siyachitema will skipper the side and she expressed confidence that they would display improved performances in their quest to win the event.
“We’re hoping for a win this year because the players are highly motivated,” said Siyachitema, adding that there were no injuries in camp.
Head coach, Ledwin Dondo said she would try to select the best players to win such a highly competitive tournament.
“We will choose the best 12 girls who will represent us and help us win the gold medal,” said Dondo.
Preliminary squad: Perpetual Siyachitema, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Daphine Agere, Pauline Jani, Yvonne Madzikangava, Caroline Matura, Mercy Mukwadi, Felistus Kwangwa, Patricia Mauladi, Ndaizivei Madzikangava, Beaular Hlongwane,Tafadzwa Mawango,Tatenda Dziva, Alice Tewera, Edzai Nkosana, Netsai Muchemwa, Tarisai Sesa
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