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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Handball Federation have once again been given the opportunity to host the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone Six in April next year.
Zimbabwe were scheduled to host the regional tournament last year in April after they won the bid in 2019. But due to Covid-19 the competition could not go ahead.
But Zimbabwe will now host the event next year and it will cater for the Under-18 and Under-20 men’s teams.
ZHF secretary-general, Edson Chirowodza, confirmed they have been given the green light to host the tournament next year, from April 25 to 30.
“We are going to have once again that Zone Six IHF Trophy. We have been confirmed as hosts by the Confederation of African Handball, next year, in April from April 25 to 30, we are going to host that tournament that we shelved the previous year due to Covid-19.
“So we are now also gearing up to make preparations for that tournament,” said Chirowodza.
Chirowodza said they are hoping the tournament will not be affected by Covid-19 again.
In preparation for the event, the national federation is this Saturday scheduled to hold trials for the Under-18s and Under-20s, as part of the selection process for the teams to represent the country.
In Harare, the trials will be held at Girls High School and in Bulawayo, they will take place at Northlea High School.
The national federation is yet to finalise on whether they will be able to field a team at the African Cup of Nations or not.
The continental show-piece is scheduled for Morocco from January 13 to 23.
“Then about the African Cup of Nations, we made some enquiries and requests on some of the information that we also wanted clarity on from the Confederation in order for us to participate.
“So we are still waiting for the feedback from the Confederation of African Handball,” said Chirowodza.
As they prepare for a new season next year, ZHF are expected to have a strategic meeting in January.
This year they managed to resume provincial leagues for the Southern, Northern and Central Regions.
“We are looking forward to have our strategic plan, a planning workshop, in January. We have managed to start our regional leagues for Northern Region, Southern Region and Central Region.
“Eastern Region is the one which could not start this part of the year but next year we look forward to continuing with those regional games,” said Chirowodza.
They have also begun the selection of an Under-18 girls team for their developmental initiative, whereby they are seeking to establish a strong female team that can compete at various levels.
They have the same initiative for the men’s team that was established in 2018 under the vision 2024 project.
Online Reporter