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Print Innocent Kurira Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Rugby Union vice-president Martin Shone has challenged the Lady Cheetahs to write their own piece of history when they take part in the Women’s Rugby Sevens Olympic Qualification Tournament this weekend. The Olympics will be hosted in Paris, France. The qualifying tournament will be in the city of Monastir, Tunisia on October 14-15, with eight participating. Hosts Tunisia will be joined by South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Madagascar. Zimbabwe are in Group A, along South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The top two teams in each group will contest the semi-finals. The final winner will qualify automatically for the 2024 Olympic Games, while the second and third-placed teams will play in a repechage tournament, the date and venue of which will be decided at a later date.
“They have prepared well and we wish them all the best. The ladies have our full support and we would want to see them make history. We have the talent in terms of both the coaches and players to shock a number of teams there. Hopefully, the ladies will rise to the occasion,” said Shone.
Rugby Sevens made its debut at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Fiji (men) and Australia (women) became the first Olympic Sevens champions. Great Britain and South Africa won silver and bronze medals in the men’s competition, New Zealand and Canada won silver and bronze medals in the women’s division.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024. This will be the biggest-ever event to be hosted by France.
Lady Cheetahs provisional squad
Rufaro Tagarira, Wadzanai Chidawa, Chiwoniso Mabika, Rumbidzai Chigumbu, Delight Mukomondo, Erika Mack, Pauline Sianga, Nichole Dube, Michelle Dube, Cynthia Mukwesha, Ruvimbo Mudya, Kudzi Chirinda, Gladys Mukome, Tarren Munodaani, Nyasha Gonamombe, Kuziva Gonamombe, Robyn Mhembere, Renee Phiri, Lovelight Fusire, Voice Ndou, Tanya Shava.
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