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Former vice-president of the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe Virginia Ross is in Spain where she is officiating as a judge at the ongoing World Hockey League semi-finals.
Ten nations have qualified for the tournament which will be used as a ticket to select the top three teams for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The participating nations include the 2014 World Cup bronze medalists and Champions’ Trophy winners Argentina, South Africa, Britain, Ireland, Uruguay, China, Germany, USA, Canada and host nation Spain.
Fondly referred to as Ginny, Ross is the only Zimbabwean at the hockey fiesta, alongside two other female judges from Brazil and Spain. The 2012 National Women in Sport award-winner had her first assignment on Wednesday where she was the judge of the Germany and Uruguay match; she is also expected to be the judge in three other matches this week.
HAZ secretary-general Sarah Bennet said the appointment of Ross, a former member of the African Hockey Federation, as one of the three female judges came as a compliment and a tremendous achievement which reflects the vote of confidence in the country by the International Hockey Federation.
“Having one of our own getting such recognition is something we didn’t expect; this only shows that the International Hockey Federation also believes in us,” said Bennet.
Ginny has become Zimbabwe’s first female to officiate at the World Hockey fiesta as most African judges have been selected from South Africa.
Last year she was made an Honorary Life Member of HAZ after serving for 25 years and she has served as manager to the National women’s indoor team playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Bennet said the exposure would in the long-run benefit the nation in terms of developing the sport.
Online Reporter