NEW: All set for new netball tournament

Sports Reporter

ALL is set for the Premier Netball League (PNL) tournament scheduled for next weekend at White City Stadium in Bulawayo.

The two-day tournament is meant to serve as a pre-launch tourney for the 15-teams that will run under the new league.

But its formation appears to have reignited the friction that has existed between the Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) and the Rainbow National Amateur League (RANL).
RANL have been battling without successes to be recognised and registered by ZINA, and are largely considered a rebel league.

It has, however, emerged that the new baby – PNL – being coordinated by renowned umpire Agnes Chiroodza has ZINA’s blessings.

PNL chair Thabiso Mokoena said of the 15 clubs, one is from Bulawayo, another from Mutare, while the rest would be travelling from Harare.

“Some of the clubs are totally new in the elite league but some are old clubs moving from Rainbow Amateur Netball League,” said Mokoena.

“We are in the process of registration; currently waiting for ZINA response to complete the process, but otherwise everything is under control and we are hoping to start games just after the tournament.

“While registration is in progress, we are also busy trying to secure sponsorship as we currently do not have any, so we are appealing to corporates to come on board for the benefit of the girl-child.”

Ironically, it has been three years since RANL approached ZINA for registration without success.