Online Reporter
Veronica Gwaze
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Netball Association acting president Emmanuel Harawa feels that the association’s efforts of building for the future are in the right direction.
This follows an impressive finish by the Young Gems at the ongoing African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in Namibia where they finished as bronze medallists in the tournament.
Their journey culminated in a hard-fought third place after a 47-45 victory against host nation, Namibia, in the third and fourth place match yesterday.
South Africa and Malawi will battle it out for the top and second positions, this afternoon.
Guided by Coach Stembile Banda, the national Under-19 team demonstrated their skill and determination by winning three out of the four matches they participated in during the tournament.
The bronze medal they secured is not just a trophy; it symbolises the progress being made in nurturing young talent within the sport.
Acting netball boss Harawa was charmed by the Young Gems’ performance, an achievement he says reflects the potential that lies within the local game.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see our young girls bring home the bronze, especially considering that these are young talents picked from different schools across the country,” he said.
Their performance, he notes, is testament to the netball potential that Zimbabwe has.
“It is fantastic to see them coming from all over Zimbabwe and excel on the international stage, it shows that we have a formidable team,” he said.
“Based on their ages, the future looks bright for us so this achievement is a significant milestone in our ongoing rebuilding exercise.
“Our efforts to develop and nurture young talent are paying off.”
The bronze medal, added Harawa will inspire more young girls across the country to take up netball, in a move that will dovetail ZINA’s efforts to popularise the sport.
“Looking at this team, it shows that our grassroots is strong and that we have a great boost for our senior national teams as we prepare for future competitions,” he said.
Netball legend and former Premier Netball League chairperson Sarudzai Chapo concurred that the Young Gems performances show that Zimbabwe has a secure feeder channel for the senior national teams.
The achievement, she said, signals a promising future for the national senior team, as the ongoing development program is clearly yielding results.
“We are happy with how our young girls performed, they raised the national flag high and also placed Zimbabwe Netball on the regional map,” she said.
“The bronze medal means more than just silverware in our cabinet, we are currently building for the future and such an achievement shows that our future is bright, our senior teams are guaranteed a feeder.”
With emerging talents stepping up and proving their capabilities on an international stage, ZINA can be optimistic about the next generation of players.
This success at the Region 5 games is a crucial step in building a stronger foundation for netball in Zimbabwe, ensuring that the sport continues to thrive and evolve.
Chapo emphasised on the positive impact of the tournament on the development of young players.
She pointed out that such events are crucial for providing these girls with the exposure they need to grow and improve their skills.
By participating in competitive environments, they not only gain valuable experience but also learn how to handle the pressures that come with high-stakes games on big platforms.
“This kind of exposure is essential for their growth as players, it helps them understand the dynamics of competition and what it takes to succeed at higher levels,” said Chapo.
“I believe that this kind of competition is vital for moulding players who can eventually represent their countries on the international stage.”
