Young Zimbabwe handball teams step up Lusaka preps

ZIMBABWE’S junior handball teams have stepped up preparations for the Zone VI Championships in Lusaka, with bonding camps underway as the federation fine-tunes combinations ahead of the regional tournament scheduled for late April.

The Zimbabwe Handball Federation has been running periodic camps following nationwide trials held in Harare and Bulawayo last month, where players were assessed before final squads were selected for the six day competition at the Olympic Development Centre.

Federation president Taurai Muberekwa said the technical team is using the camps to build cohesion and test different combinations as they shape squads capable of competing strongly at regional level.

“We had trials for the juniors and youth boys as part of our efforts to assemble competitive national teams ahead of international duty,” Muberekwa said. “The camps allow the technical team to assess combinations and ensure we select the best talent to represent the country.”

Zimbabwe will field two Under 18 teams at the championships, carrying confidence from their last appearance in 2024, when they finished with silver medals. That result has lifted expectations within the federation as they target another strong showing in Lusaka.

Muberekwa said growth in domestic competitions has helped improve standards, with players and coaches gaining exposure through national leagues and grassroots programmes.

“We have seen positive development through our local competitions and grassroots structures, which are helping to raise the level of the game,” he said. “This gives us a stronger base as we prepare for international competition.”

With the tournament drawing closer, the federation has appealed for financial support to ensure the teams complete their preparations without disruption. Plans are in place for a two to three week residential training camp before departure, which officials say will be key to sharpening match readiness.

“Our teams have an important assignment and we want them to be fully prepared,” Muberekwa said. “We are calling on partners to assist with resources such as transport, accommodation and feeding so the players can focus fully on performance.”

The Zone VI Championships bring together junior sides from across Southern Africa and offer a platform for emerging players to gain international experience, with Zimbabwe aiming to build on its recent results.