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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
NAMIBIA Hockey has released the fixtures schedule for the Outdoor Hockey Test Series which they will play against Zimbabwean juniors starting on Thursday at the Windhoek High School, Davin Astro Turf pitch.
The games will take place in the capital, Windhoek next week.
The series, which is for Under-16s and 18s have seen Zimbabwe putting in some work behind the scenes in preparation for the tour.
The series is for both boys and girls.
“Sending our best wishes to the U16A & U18A Zimbabwe Junior Hockey teams as they embark on their exciting tour to Namibia for the Namibia vs Zimbabwe Outdoor Hockey Test Series.
“Play your hearts out and make us proud,” said the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) in a statement.
On the first two days of the tournament, a total of eight matches will take place with four on each day. On Thursday, Namibia Under-16 girls will kick start the campaign against the Namibian Under-18s. A similar match will follow pitting the Zimbabwean teams.
After the girls’ matches, the boys’ games will follow in the same format.
On Friday, Namibia Under-16 girls will face Zimbabwe Under-16 girls and the match will be followed by the boys’ in the same category. The third match of the day will be between Namibia Under-18 girls against the visitors and the boys’ Under-18 matches between the two matches will round up the day’s games.
A total of eight matches will be played on the last day of the tournament.
The round-robin games will kick-start the day and will be followed by finals.
In the first match of the day, Namibia Under-16 girls will face Zimbabwe Under-18s and will be followed by a match between the hosts’ Under-18 girls and the visitors’ Under-16s.
Namibia Under-16 boys will then go on to face the Zimbabwe Under-18 boys. The last round-robin match will be between the hosts’ Under-18 boys and Zimbabwe’s Under-16 boys.
After the games, the finals will take place starting with the girls’ third and fourth play-off followed by the boys’.
The main final will follow soon after with the girls’ match starting, followed by the boys’.
The tour will be vital for the development of the sport in the country and will be a good opportunity for the youngsters to get a feel of international hockey. — Follow on Twitter @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter