Youth rugby team’s trip hangs in balance

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE youth rugby team’s participation at the United World Games set for Austria next Thursday hangs in the balance as they are yet to get visas. A Zimbabwe Under-18 developmental side is expected to take part in the tournament for the first time but their documentation is yet to be processed for them to travel for the four-day event.

According to the fixture, two Zimbabwe Under-18 boys sides are scheduled to play at the tournament with the Zim A side drawn in the same group as Stade Rugby and RC Tigers Klagenfurt from Austria, Berliner SC of Germany and Rugby Club Valpolicella from Italy.

The Zimbabwe B side is in Group B where they are billed to face competition from RU Donau Wien (Austria), Rugby Klub Ljubljana (Slovenia), Vienna Celtic RC (Austria) and Heidelberger RK (Germany).

But the trip could be cancelled if the Zimbabweans don’t receive their visas by tomorrow.

Made up of players from different backgrounds, it is these boys’ dream that they get exposed to a different sporting environment where they can gain exposure as well.

Co-ordinator of the Zimbabwe chapter Tafadzwa Dengu yesterday told The Herald that they still have a chance of taking part in the Games but that all depends on when they will get the visas.

“We are just hopeful that we will get the visas by Friday and if we get them by Friday, it means we will be able to travel to Austria and at the same time some of our sponsors are yet to make full commitment for this trip,” said Dengu.

The UWG games attract more than 6 000 athletes from all over the world and are in their 10th year of running.

“The United World Games are more than just your average tournament. The Games are among Europe’s finest youth sporting events and attract thousands of young athletes from all over the world every year,” a statement on the Games’ website reads.

“Sport unites, even though skin colour, origin and religion of our participants might differ.

Draw
Group A: Zimbabwe I, Stade Rugby (Austria), Berliner SC / Veltener RC (Germany), Rugby Club Valpolicella (Italy), RC Tigers Klagenfurt (Austria)
Group B: Zimbabwe II, RU Donau Wien (Austria), Heidelberger RK (Germany), Rugby Klub Ljubljana (Slovenia), Vienna Celtic RC (Austria).