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Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE Under-20 men’s handball team captain, Shown Thomas, says they will have to rise above their challenges and give their best at the International Handball Federation Trophy Continental Phase tournament in Ethiopia.
The competition comes to life on Saturday and runs until next Wednesday in Addis Ababa.
The team regrouped on Sunday in Harare for their last camp ahead of their departure on Friday.
Yesterday marked their second day of training at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex.
Thomas feels more time together will put them in a good position to compete against some of the top junior teams on the continent.
“We are a little bit behind because we had a long break, almost a month and half and we were not training as a team.
“We had individual training programmes.
“Looking at the level of competition we are going to face, and our preparations, it’s going to be tough.
“We were expecting to get more time training as a team but things didn’t go as we expected.
“But we are doing everything we can, putting in the effort to make sure that we perform better.
“But, basically, we are left with a day for training, Thursday we will be preparing for travelling, so we don’t have much time.
“But we will keep on working hard,” said Thomas.
The tournament will see Under-20 and Under-18 teams from different African countries competing.
Thomas added:
“We are going to do our best. It’s very important to get this kind of exposure and experience playing at this level, tough games and stiff competition, it helps with development.
“If funds were available, we would have loved to play countries such as Zambia and Mozambique to get exposure and experience.
“It helps in game situations because you are used to playing different players and in different situations.
“If we can win some games, it would be an improvement from the last time.”
Online Reporter