Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH less than three weeks to go before the International Handball Federation (IHF) Zone VI Trophy comes to life, Zimbabwe’s youth (Under-18) and junior (Under-20) men’s teams final camp hangs in the balance due to lack of resources.
The regional competition is scheduled to run from April 28 to May 3 in Lusaka, Zambia.
The teams have had limited preparations due to financial constraints.
They had a two-day training camp last month in Harare, following trials held in January.
They had hoped for a longer camp but it appears they may have to adjust, with the Zimbabwe Handball Federation president, Taurai Muberekwa, yesterday revealing that they are facing financial challenges.
And they are still running around.
“ZHF assembled 20 players for each team, which will be then trimmed to 14 players who are travelling.
“These 20 players for each team are ready for camping. We are preparing or we are planning to have a 16-day camp starting from the 12th to the 27th when they will be leaving Zimbabwe for Zambia.
“However, with financial challenges, we haven’t seen any volunteers who are coming to assist us with the groceries, the venues and so forth.
“We are still struggling to get the boys into camp. But our wish is to get into the camp as early as the 12th of April to the 27th when they will be travelling,” said Muberekwa.
“We have a plan; we have a budget on paper. But we don’t have the resources as for now,” said Muberekwa.
They are looking at a budget of around US$12 500.
Zimbabwe hosted the last two editions of the men’s event – in 2022 and in 2024.
They also hosted the women’s competition last year. Zimbabwe are the defending champions in the junior category, and the side would want to return to the tournament to try and retain the title.
Their youth were the runners-up at the previous edition held in 2024.
Muberekwa said they are keeping their fingers crossed something comes up before Sunday.
“We are just hopeful. We are praying that something might materialise from the time between today (Tuesday) and the 12th where we want to have our camp.
“Our coaches are ready; the technical team is ready.”
In another development, the national federation is scheduled to run the IHF D licence coaching course from April 20 to 25 in Harare.
“We are also running the IHF D licence from the 20th to the 25th of April in Harare again.
“The players will also have some time to do some demonstrations and so forth. We will be having an international instructor who will be assisting our coaches and players as well.
“We are hoping to capitalise on that,” Muberekwa said.
derick.khumalo