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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-20 and Under-18 women’s handball teams trooped into camp at Girls High School on Thursday to begin the build-up for the Zone VI (Africa) International Handball Federation Trophy Women 2023 to be staged in South Africa next month.
The tournament is due to take place from May 23 to 27 in Johannesburg.
A total of 36 players reported for the camp that ends tomorrow.
ZHF technical director Farai Gwisai said they need to submit a provisional squad of 28 players per age-group and will continue identifying more players.
“At the moment we have 18 Under-20 and 18 Under-18 players from all the provinces.
“We needed about 28 players for the provisional list which is needed by the IHF by the 25th of April. So we are going on a talent identification exercise picking more players from upcoming tournaments such as the season Open tournament. Then we submit the shortlist.
“Some have failed to come for this camp because of some other reasons but we are going to make sure that we identify more players,” said Gwisai.
Those that reported for camp got down to business yesterday with Gwisai leading the Under-20 side as coach Sipho Mahlangu could not make it for the camp due to other commitments.
“So today (yesterday) they started to do their basics. So far what I am happy for is the fitness level, it’s good.
“So we are going through the basics today, then we do basic skills, and then team tactics,” said Gwisai.
Moreways Changa is in charge of the Under-18s and he said there is still a lot of work to do since they are meeting for the first time.
“My observations are that we need to work more on their conditioning and technical skills. We still have to work on their strength and skills
“Today in the morning we did assessments of performances to determine the level of performances. This afternoon we are now working on team tactics and individual techniques as we build combinations for the different playing positions,” said Changa.
He said the door is still open for other players with the potential.
“Selection is a process that we will open up so that if we get other players out there we will consider them until the time the final entries are being made to the host country.
“By the end of this camp, we hope to have come up with a provisional team to forward to the ZHF for submission.
“Also, the level of competitiveness should have gone up and athletes will be given progressive activities to maintain their performances until we have another camp before competition,” said Changa.
The regional tournament is serving as the first step towards qualification for the World Youth and Junior Championships.
Winners from the regional tournament progress to the continental showpiece to be held later in the year and the winning team per age-group, qualify for the global tournament.
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