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Ellina Mhlanga Senior Sports Reporter
AFTER falling in love with field hockey at a young age, Rumbidzai Zimuto finally got that one call every player dreams of.
The call was confirmation that she had made the national team.
The University of Zimbabwe medicine student is part of the national Under-21 women’s field hockey team.
They are set to represent the country at the Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup, from December 5 to 16, in Potchefstroom, South Africa.
“This is my first national team call-up. I have only played provincial, so this is my very first time representing my country,’’ she said.
“It means the world because I have always wanted, I have always had the dream and aspiration, to play for my country.
“Just to know that I am going to be able to represent my country is, I think, the ultimate goal for me, it absolutely means the world.”
For utility player Zimuto, the love for hockey came from seeing her sisters — Wadzanayi and Ruvarashe — playing. Both reached provincial level.
She began playing at Alexandra Park Primary before joining Dominican Convent School.
“I just remember being excited because it was the first sport I ever tried, and it also was a team sport, so we got to do it with everybody else, and you learn a whole other form of togetherness,” said Zimuto.
The medicine student admits at some point during her A Levels, the pressure of balancing school and hockey took a toll on her.
“Trying to balance school and hockeyhas been pretty tough because a degree is quite demanding.
“And, again with Covid-19, having exams being pushed forward and lessons pushed forward, you have to make a schedule for yourself to know that when I am reading, I am 100 percent focused, and I need to use my time, utilise it well and I will do this by this amount of time.
“And, when you are at hockey, you know 100 percent you are leaving everything on the side, to make sure that you are putting your best at your hockey.
“I have enjoyed the journey 100 percent.
“I am absolutely enjoying both sides of getting to learn medicine, as well as playing hockey, because I really love the sport.’’
They have had to deal with several disruptions in their build-up to the World Cup.
“Having qualified for the World Cup, it’s a whole other level up,’’ she said.
“Probably, three levels up of training, knowing that we are going to play international teams, not only African representatives.
“I really appreciate that we were able to get approval, to start training together as a team because that has also helped us to gel.
“I want to make sure that we put Zimbabwe on the map, to know that we put up a good fight and to make sure that we, at least, qualify for the quarter-finals because usually we never get past the group stages.
“Individually I want to play well, I want to enjoy the experience, to enjoy playing with others and enjoy representing my country and to have fun.”
She paid tribute to her family and those around her who have been supportive as she pursues her dreams.
Coach Tendayi Maredza described Zimuto as a hard-working player.
Online Reporter