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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Handball Federation have been given the greenlight to host next year’s International Handball Federation Trophy Zone Six Championship Junior (Under-20) and Youth (Under-18) Men.
The national federation received communication from the African Handball Confederation (CAHB) recently, confirming their bid to host the regional tournament has been approved.
The event is scheduled for April 16 to 20, 2024. The arrival date for all participating teams is April 15 and departure is April 21.
ZHF secretary general Edson Chirowodza said hosting the regional competition is an opportunity for the development of the sport locally.
“For us to host the IHF Trophy Zone Six Championship for the Junior and Youth is quite a good development for the Zimbabwe Handball Federation considering that this tournament is a qualifying tournament for the continental phase and also for the World Youth and Junior Championships.
“This is a great opportunity for us in terms of the development of handball in Zimbabwe. And we appreciate the trust that the Confederation of African Handball has put in us in terms of hosting this tournament for the second time, since we had a successful hosting of the previous tournament.
“And playing at home is always an advantage for our national teams. It gives them the confidence and the support that comes with the local supporters will also help our team in qualifying for the continental championship,” said Chirowodza.
Zimbabwe hosted the same competition last year in October. The hosts fielded both junior and youth teams and the former claimed the title in their category, also earning the ticket to the IHF Trophy continental phase that was held in Brazzaville, Congo early this year.
Chirowodza said they are now in the process of engaging the Sports and Recreation Commission to seek clearance to host the tournament.
“So the next step, in terms of us planning, is to seek clearance from the Sports and Recreation Commission and from the Ministry.
“And at the same time our coaches have already come up with a schedule of our training camps, periodic camps and selection of players started at the national championships for schools’ competitions for NASH.
“So basically we have a provisional team in place and we are looking forward to having these teams coming in for periodic camps as our build up to the preparation (for the) IHF Trophy, which we are going to host in April next year.”
Meanwhile Chirowodza revealed they have put on hold their proposed friendly against Zambia as they will not be part of the sport codes to represent the country at the rescheduled African Games.
“We have to reschedule dates because now our thrust of African Games, we cannot participate because instead of qualifiers, we received a letter from the Confederation requesting us to apply to participate at the African Games and get a support letter through the Sports and Recreation Commission.
“We did apply but there was no joy, we are not on the priority list of sport codes going. I think they are focusing on medal hopeful federations. So we are now focusing on the Handball Nations African Cup in Egypt in 2024. Our participation now also requires a lot of finance,” said Chirowodza.
ZHF are also expecting to host the Super Cup Zone Six Handball Club Championship this year from December 2 to 5.
Online Reporter