Sundaymail Editor
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe junior and youth women’s handball teams will have to wait a bit longer before they meet for their first camp.
Zimbabwe are preparing for the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone VI, slated for April 28 to May 4 in Harare.
They were expected to troop into camp yesterday in the capital for their first periodic meeting.
The camp was postponed to a later date as some of the players prepare for the national open season tournament scheduled for this weekend in Kadoma.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation (ZHF) secretary-general Edson Chirowodza confirmed the postponement.
ZHF held trials last year to select the provisional squads led by coaches Ozwell Gono (youth) and Sipho Mahlangu (junior).
Mahlangu said while it was unfortunate the camp had to be moved since some of the clubs needed their players for the upcoming competition, it would be beneficial for them.
“We feel we will benefit in that some of the players who have been called for camp are playing in clubs, so they will be participating there. That exposure will be good for us and also it will be an opportunity for the technical team to look at the players when they play for their clubs as well,” said Mahlangu.
Both coaches believe they are in a better place this time around as most of the players have been active in their provincial leagues for the last 12 months.
This is opposed to previous editions when most of them relied on school competitions.
“I am not saying we are the best team. However, we have players who are involved in handball regularly, with some training with their clubs, while others are with their schools.
“We were really satisfied (during the selection). But I think now it is left to us as a technical team, maybe the management and the players to have thorough preparations.
“We have players who can be great and competitive. But it all boils down to how we prepare for the games,” he said
The youth side missed the previous tournament due to registration issues, while the juniors found the going tough at the same regional event held in South Africa last term.
With Zimbabwe set to host the tournament, they will also be hoping to utilise home advantage.
Gono said they have somewhere to start from in terms of preparing the players.
“This time there is a big improvement because most of the junior players are now under clubs, so it’s a big advantage to us. From what we have seen from the trials, they were really good players.
“It’s a big advantage for us and for the players since we are getting a few days in camp. We don’t have much time to focus on many areas with the players.
“Because of the clubs that they are playing for, with the few days that we have, it’s enough for us to work with the players in the certain areas that we want to improve,” said Gono.
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