Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WITH just over a week before the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone VI Women’s Junior and Youth tournament comes to life, Zimbabwe are stepping up preparations to host the event despite some hiccups.
The regional tournament featuring junior and youth teams, is scheduled for April 28 to May 4 in Harare. The games are expected to take place at Sunrise Sports Club and Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex, the same venues used for the men’s competition last year.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary-general Edson Chirowodza said they are making progress and are expecting to get clearance from the Sports and Recreation Commission this week.
“We have settled some of the outstanding statutory obligations in order for us to get the clearance.“In terms of hosting preparations, preparations are on course although we are not yet 100 percent ready,” said Chirowodza.
“But we have secured the venues, Sunrise Sports Club and Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex. “And in terms of general markings and touch ups for the venues, we hope that should be done by the end of the week.”
Some of the countries expected to field teams for the competition include Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia and Lesotho.
“So far in terms of countries that have confirmed, it should be about eight countries, though we will get the fact sheet with the finer details in terms of which categories each country is going to field in.
“So, the eight countries I am sure they are coming, excluding Botswana in the region. So out of nine we have eight that have confirmed participation,” Chirowodza said.
Zimbabwe’s teams were expected to troop into camp yesterday in Marondera.
Youth coach Ozwell Gono said they have called in 16 players from the 20 that attended the last periodic camp.
They will trim the squad to 14 ahead of the competition. The build-up for the tournament has not been easy due to limited resources and Gono said they have to utilise the remaining few days to ensure the team is ready.
“This time we have called up 16 players. But then for the games we are going to need 14, so, for this camp, we will release two players.
“From the previous camp we were focusing on how they were playing but this time we wanted to focus on their fitness but it’s too late because there were delays to this camp.
“So, now we are going for the tactical areas. Tactical aspects focusing on each player and their positions.
“That is what we are going to focus on because we are left with just a few days (before the game begin). Time is not on our side.
“We will see how it goes, working on team combinations, set plays we want to apply, that’s what we are going to do in the remaining few days,” said Gono.
The regional tournament serves as the qualifying event for the Continental Phase of the IHF Trophy Africa.
Zimbabwe hosted the last two editions for the men’s junior and youth tournament – in 2022 and 2024 – and on both occasions, the Under-20 emerged winners in their age-group, earning the ticket to the Continental Phase.
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