admin
“GET over here and we will do the rest.”
That is the message the Zimbabwe Netball Association has received from its counterparts in Hong Kong ahead of an invitational tournament set for the Asian country in March. The Hong Kong Netball Association has invited Zimbabwe and Malaysia for a tourney from March 16 to 19.
However, financial constraints have put the Gems’ trip in doubt with Zina secretary-general Barbra Rice indicating that they were struggling to raise the US$18 000 needed for airfares. “It is a great opportunity for the senior team, it’s the kind of exposure we want for them,” said Rice. “Hong Kong are catering for our accommodation and transport once we are there, but we have to purchase our own air tickets and therein is our problem. We need US$17 600 to travel with 16 people and we are kindly asking for well-wishers to assist us.”
Zina’s financial woes are well-documented.
The Young Gems, who will play in the World Youth Cup in July in Botswana, last month failed to travel to Durban for an invitational tourney featuring hosts South Africa and England.
Rice is on her knees, praying for a miracle this time around. The Zina secretary-general noted that the Hong Kong tourney presented the Gems with an opportunity to fine-tune play ahead of their African Championship title defence in Uganda.
“We need good preparations ahead of the African Championships in June so I am praying this opportunity doesn’t skip us,” she said. A good show in Hong Kong will see Zimbabwe continue climbing up the world rankings ladder. The Gems are on a record high 17th position in the world with 410 points and a rating of 59 from 11 matches played up to October 23 in 2016.
Zimbabwe moved three places up according to the latest International Netball Federation world rankings following a second place finish at the Diamond Cup in South Africa last September.
Online Reporter