adminEllina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S handball teams return to the battle field early next month when they compete in the International Handball Federation Africa Challenge Trophy Zone Six in Lusaka, Zambia.
The five-day tournament running from September 1 to 5 will see athletes from countries within the Southern Africa region fighting for honours in the boys and girls sections.
Zimbabwe will go into this tournament expecting to raise the bar having won a bronze medal in 2012 in both sections.
The teams have already begun their preparations under the guidance of Farai Gwisai in the boys’ category assisted by Sipho Mahlangu. Tawanda Mapira is in charge of the women’s team and is being assisted by Clemence Tauro and Cleopatra Mareverwa.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary-general Alphios Magiya said preparations were already underway with periodic camps and the final camp was slated for August 24.
“So far our coaches have done their part, they have assembled their probable teams. The athletes get into camp towards the end of August, around August 24, in Harare but at the moment we are not sure of the actual venue.
“They have been holding periodic camps. We are also being assisted by the National Youth Games meaning our players will be competing there.
“They will be released to participate in their provincial teams,” said Magiya.
Magiya said they have retained some of the coaches that went with the teams to South Africa in an bid to get better results.
“In 2012 we won a bronze for both boys and girls. This time we should get gold because I think we have learned. All these years have been a learning curve.
“We have retained our coaches hopefully they will implement what they have been learning in the past years.
“From the last events they identified their weaknesses and we have given them another opportunity to get gold this time around.”
Online Reporter