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Raymond Jaravaza
THE Zimbabwe netball team — the Gems — preparations for their 2019 Netball World Cup debut are slowly taking shape as the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has pledged to fund part of the team’s budget.
The Netball World Cup is scheduled for 12-21 July at the M&S Arena in Liverpool, England.
The local ladies team is on a charm offensive to raise funds for the World Cup and Minister Kirsty Coventry says the Government has also committed to chipping in with the much needed resources.
“My ministry committed to providing funds for the Netball World Cup and we are waiting for the federation (Zimbabwe Netball Association) to send us the budgets, which we have continuously asked for.
“Netball is not the only sport that has these issues (financial constraints) so we are working on better structures for greater support and I’m excited by the buzz that has been created for our netball team, this means our ladies can get more support,” said Coventry.
The minister said she was confident that fundraising being organised in the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe would be successful and stressed the importance of stakeholders working together so that the Gems are well taken care of in England.
Sixteen teams are taking part in the 15th edition of the premium competition in international netball.
Zimbabwe are in Group A together with powerhouses Australia, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka.
derick.khumalo