admin
Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
IN an overdrive to support the Zimbabwe senior netball team, their principal sponsor, Spar Zimbabwe, has donated an assortment of groceries as the team intensifies preparations for the upcoming Diamond Challenge Cup.
The high profile invitational tournament is scheduled to run between November 19-26 in Durban, South Africa.
While the annual South Africa-organised tournament returns after a two-year hiatus owing to Covid-19, the Gems will be bouncing back after three years.
The last time they appeared at the tournament was in 2018 when they settled for third position behind the hosts South Africa and Zambia respectively.
Having trooped into their usual camping base, Girls High School over the weekend, Spar Zimbabwe, on Monday handed over a consignment of groceries to facilitate their beneficiary’s camp.
Speaking at the hand over ceremony, Spar Zimbabwe general manager, Cypren Borerwe, said the corporate is committed to continue supporting the team to make their Netball World Cup dream come true.
“For long the girl child has not been well looked after as compared to boys in sport generally and having followed the Gems since their 2019 campaign, we felt the urge to come on board through the “friends of ZOC” initiative and assist them,” he said.
“It gives us joy when they bring positive results like qualifying for next year’s Netball World Cup which goes to show that our efforts are rewarding hence we remain committed.”
Borerwe said if the Gems are to make an impact at the 2023 Netball World Cup, their timely preparations should start on a good note. He notes that more still needs to be done to boost their confidence.
“There is so much untapped brand visibility opportunities on this team, it is an opportunity for us as a nation to tell our story out there through netball,” added Borerwe.
The Gems will have to appear at the tournament in Durban without skipper Felisitus Kwangwa who is already back to her Surrey Storm base in the UK in preparation for the 2023 season.
Vice-captain Claris Kwaramba, Priscilla Ndlovu and Progress Moyo will also be not available for the tournament due to school commitments. Capitalising on the gaps, the Gems have drafted into their team two juniors, Thandazile Ndlovu and Thandekile Mahlangu.
The duo, who locally are contracted to Green Fuels, will after, the Diamond Challenge Cup, also feature for the Young Gems at the Region 5 Youth Games in Malawi in December.
The Zimbabwe Netball Association secretary-general, Racheal Tinorwirashe, commended Spar Zimbabwe for their support in ensuring a smooth camp for the team.
She notes that the timely intervention goes a long way in boosting the team’s confidence.
“We are grateful for what Spar has done for us, the relationship is bearing fruit and it feels good that we are also giving back, qualifying for next year’s global showcase added the icing,” she said.
“If the girls are well fed, they in turn have the confidence to invest more on court, we wish more corporates could emulate what Spar is doing. Remember, sharing the burden produces better results.
“Spar emphasised from the beginning of our marriage that the relationship will last long, we are also working hard to ensure we deliver our end of the bargain.”
The Diamond Challenge Cup is expected to help the Gems earn points for their International Netball Federation ranking and also add to their preparations for next year’s global showcase. Godfrey Mugadza-Kanengoni , the director of UK-based Ree Sports, has since stepped in by securing air tickets and paying for accommodation for the tournament.
Provisional Gems Squad
Sharon Bwanali, Tafadzwa Matura (ZDF Queens); Ursula Ndlovu, Beaular Hlungwane, Nobukhosi Ndlovu (Glow Petroleum); Tadanaishe Zimusi, Rudo Simbi (Harare City); Nicole Muzanenhamo, Thandekile Mahlangu, Thandazile Ndlovu (Green Fuels); Elizabeth Mushore, Sharleen Makusha, Sthabile Manyukire, Lynette Tanhira (Platinum Queens); Kudakwashe Machongwe (Correctional Queens)
Online Reporter