Online Reporter
Media Mpofu
BULAWAYO’S women volleyball stars were left on the bench while the city missed out at this year’s Inter-Provincial Championships in Harare, citing tight finances as the culprit.
The inter-provincials are usually a hotbed for talent spotting and provincial bragging rights. This year, however, Bulawayo managed to send only a men’s team, which limped to sixth place out of ten provinces, leaving the women side-lined entirely.
Harare has long dominated the women’s division, while the men’s category usually sees a tussle between Harare, Bulawayo and Midlands. But Bulawayo’s hold on both fronts appears to be slipping, according to Bulawayo Metropolitan Volleyball Association chairperson Munyaradzi Chigudu.
Chigudu blamed poor facilities, limited equipment, and a packed calendar for the setback. “We have a lot of young talent from grassroots to tertiary institutions, but nurturing them is a challenge. There are no proper facilities to train, develop, or even identify players. We didn’t have enough time to select a strong squad. We made do with what we had, hoping next year we will send competitive teams,” said Chigudu.
He added that financial limitations were the main reason the women’s team stayed home. “We ended up sending just one team due to lack of funds. The association cannot cover camping expenses, which include accommodation, food, transport and training equipment.”
Chigudu appealed for Government and institutional support, stressing that provincial representation feeds directly into the national team pipeline. “We would really appreciate if the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture and the Sport and Recreation Commission could help us. Inter-provincial competitions are national team selection platforms. Provinces need support to ensure our best talent is represented,” he said.
Despite the financial and logistical challenges, Bulawayo volleyball still has events lined up. The End of Season Tournament, beach volleyball competitions, and the awards night are all set to go ahead, providing platforms for local players to showcase their skills.
For the women left watching from the sidelines this year, the message is clear: with better funding, facilities and preparation, Bulawayo can bounce back and reclaim its place on the podium. Until then, fans will have to cheer from afar as talent waits in the wings for its chance to shine.
