adminMidlands Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZNA) plan to have the national Under-21 team going into camp this festive season as part of preparations for the Youth World Cup qualifiers to be held in July 2016. The Youth World Cup will be held in neighbouring Botswana in 2017 and the local netball governing body wants to start preparations early so that Zimbabwe is represented at the global netball jamboree.
ZNA president Lettitia Chipandu said the association is in the process of mobilising resources to ensure the girls go into camp during the festive season.
“At the moment we’re looking for funds to ensure that we get all the girls into camp and provide for their food and other ancillaries. We want to start preparing now for the Youth World Cup by taking advantage of the holidays so that we get all the girls into camp,” said Chipandu.
“The bulk of the players will come from the Under-20 team, which won gold at African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games held in Bulawayo in December 2014. We’ll, however, pick students from the various clubs as well as outstanding players that took part in the Nash netball tournament held in Mutoko early this year.”
Chipandu said over 30 players would be called into camp so that “there’s an assessment of the players”.
Some of the players expected in camp, who were part of the AUSC Region 5 Youth Games last year, include goal shooter Sharon Bwanali, Mercy Mukwadi, Nomagugu Makhalima and Chidochashe Chiwenga.
Tasilimah Mbimba, Sanele Ncube, Felistus Kwangwa and Patricia Mauladi, who were part of the trailblazing Under-20 team are also expected to be called into camp.
Online Reporter