ZHF optimistic of IHF Trophy Zone Six
THE LOCAL Organising Committee for the International Handball Federation Trophy Zone Six Junior (Under-20) and Youth (Under-18) Men is this weekend scheduled to meet in Harare to map the way forward on preparations for the event.
Zimbabwe won the bid to host the regional tournament expected to run from May 5 to 12.
Zimbabwe Handball Federation is in the process of seeking clearance from the Sports Commission to host the regional event.
However, they have already put in place a 12-member LOC led by Edson Chirowodza as the chief executive officer.
“So we are going to have our meeting this coming Saturday in Harare. The LOC was appointed early this year but functionality started this February . . . We started with the LOC induction which was held last week.
“We submitted papers for clearance of the tournament to SRC, we are still waiting for the clearance.” Zimbabwe hosted the same tournament in 2022 and their junior team qualified for the continental phase when winning the regional event at Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex. The youth team finished second behind Zambia. This year’s IHF Trophy Zone Six was initially planned for April before it was moved to May. Chirowodza said the weekend’s meeting will focus on several issues related to preparations and hosting of the event.
“We want to set up a dashboard to check progress in every portfolio. Then at the same time, we are going to have presentations from various portfolios in terms of what each portfolio is expected to do and what we want. Also, the national board will assist.
“But we want to focus on our road to the event in terms of infrastructure, refurbishment, securing of accommodation for players and officials. We have to check on the progress of each portfolio in terms of preparations,” said Chirowodza.
While the LOC will be having their meeting, the coaches are expected to finalise the provisional squads this weekend when they hold trials at Houghton Primary School.
“There is also a training camp and trials for the juniors and youth. They are just finalising their selection this weekend. They are going to meet at Houghton Primary.
“So our preparations started way back in 2023 by identifying a long list of players. Our coaches are now working to-wards coming up with the provisional list of 28 players which is due on the 15th of March, where we have to register the players with IHF,” Chirowodza said.
ZIMBABWE senior women’s national cricket team’s practice in India suffered a blow following their six-run defeat at the hands of Uganda at Omtex Cricket Institute in Palghar, India yesterday.
This was their second T20 match with the first one having taken place on Sunday at the same venue.
On Sunday, Zimbabwe and Uganda became the first international teams to play a cricket match at Omtex Cricket Institute.
The Lady Chevrons won that match by two runs.
In yesterday’s encounter, the Lady Chevrons — bowling first — restricted the Victoria Pearls to 145/6 in 20 overs before going on to finish their innings six runs short of victory on 139/8 in their 20 overs.
Audrey Mazvishaya led from the front with the ball for the Lady Chevrons, finishing with figures of 3/21 in her four-over spell while Kelis Ndhlovu claimed one wicket for 15 runs in three overs.
Among the three wickets taken by Mazvishaya were the dangerous Gloria Abukor and Esther Iloku.
The other two Ugandan wickets that fell were run-outs. Abukor, opening the batting for the Victoria Pearls top scored a brilliant 50 runs off 37 deliveries while Iloku was their second leading run scorer with 32 runs from 37 balls. Janet Mbabazi and Rita Musamali made 15 runs apiece as their team posted a competitive score.
The Lady Chevrons’ chase got off to a good start with Sharne Mayers and Ndhlovu scoring 35 runs inside three overs before the former fell for 14 runs off just six balls. Ndhlovu would go on to top score for Zimbabwe
with 39 runs from 23 deliveries.
Chiedza Dhururu chipped in with 21 runs off 22 deliveries while Loryn Phiri remained undefeated on 20 runs from 22 balls. The four batters were the only ones that managed to cross double figures for the Lady Chevrons.
Uganda skipper Consy Aweko produced a match-winning spell which saw her finish with impressive figures of 2/9 in four overs while Mbabazi, Walaza Sarah, Immaculate Nakisuyi, and Rita Musamali took one wicket apiece.
Both the Lady Chevrons and Victoria Pearls are in India as part of their preparations for two major tournaments.
The two will be competing at the upcoming Africa Games in March before going on to represent the continent at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in April.
For the Lady Chevrons, the World Cup Qualifiers are key. Head coach Walter Chawaguta described the training camp in India as key in the team’s preparations for the World Cup Qualifiers.
The Indian training camp will focus on intensive skill sessions while it also accords the team with a bonding session. After the training camp, the Lady Chevrons have three tours lined up as part of the build-up to the World Cup global qualifiers.
Among the three tours lined up as part of the preparations is a series against Papua New Guinea while the team will have a dance at the All Africa Games scheduled for next month in Ghana.
Chawaguta believes the All Africa Games and the three tours will play a pivotal role in gauging Zimbabwe’s readiness for the global qualifiers.*