Zim Handball Federation get boost

AFRICAN Handball Confederation director sport Assemian Noel last week handed the Zimbabwe Handball Federation a boost in their preparations to host the Zone 6 (International Handball Federation) IHF tournament slated for April.

Following a two-day tour of the venues and hotels that will accommodate athletes and officials during the games, Noel expressed satisfaction but added that a few renovations need to be done ahead of the games.

“I think that the venues are correct but some things must be done because of the high level of competition we will have in these games and we need to make some arrangements but as for the hotels we visited they are good,” he said.

Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Edson Chirowodza, said they have taken note of the recommendations made by Noel.

“The recommendations that have been made were actually part of our roll out plan from the onset, indeed those are small things according to us that can be addressed before the tournament is staged. He has given us confidence that indeed Zimbabwe can host and also he has helped us in identifying other key areas to focus on during this preparation period,” added Chirowodza.

Experts from the IHF will be expected in the country before the tournament to assess the progress made from Noel’s report and ZHF President Stewart Sanhewe said they have engaged Government in an effort to make the tournament a success.

“Basically, we have involved the Government through the SRC and they have assured us that they will do their best to ensure that all areas that need attention are attended to in time for the event,” said Sanhewe.

The event will feature Under18 and Under-21 teams from Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Swaziland, Namibia and Botswana. The tournament will run from 24 April to 30 April at the Chitungwiza Aquatics Complex and the City Sports Centre in Harare.