Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube
THE Zimbabwe Open volleyball tournament will be played outside the major cities of Bulawayo, Gweru, Harare and Mutare for the first time next month.
The tourney will be held in Hwange.
For years, Gweru was the preferred venue considered to be central for participants.
ZVA president, Mxolisi Ndlovu confirmed yesterday that the tournament will this year take place in Hwange from April 3-5. The last time Hwange hosted big clubs was in the 1990s when Grizzlers, who were playing in the Matabeleland Volleyball Association, hosted Highlanders, Scorpion and Unit Fairbridge.
“Our motivation with taking the tournament to Hwange, outside the traditional venues Harare, Bulawayo and Gweru is a way of spreading the sport.
“Last year we were in Mutare,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu is confident that taking volleyball to Hwange will ignite new interest beyond the two teams from Victoria Falls which have represented Matabeleland North in the Premier League.
“Volleyball in Matabeleland North is fast developing with the province providing two teams in the Premier League in the past two seasons, however, concentration has been in Victoria Falls.
“We believe this competition will inspire more teams from the province.” Ndlovu said teams have started registering for the event whose closing date is in five weeks’ time. Men and women will take part in the event with participating teams set to fork out US$150. “The tournament is for both men and women. Participation fees are pegged at US$150 per team,” he said. “Prizes are yet to be determined, besides there will also be trophies and medals with outstanding players getting individual prizes,” said Ndlovu.
Past winners include Unit Fairbridge, Bulawayo Raiders, Railstars, Universirty of Zimbabwe and Black Rhinos. The tournament has maintained its traditional slot as the first national tournament of the year.
