Manica Giants settles for bronze
MANICA GIANTS brought pride to the province after they settled for third place at the just-ended Zimbabwe Netball Association Men’s Netball League launch.
Six teams participated in the event.
Manica Giants played five games. In their first encounter, they dismissed Platinum 23-22 before edging Midlands Giants 42-8.
They beat Flame Kings 41-16 in their third game followed by a 23-15 win over Goldreef.
They only lost once to Sparrows by 28-22. They finished on third position with eight points, the same as the winners, Sparrows and runners up Platinum. The three teams were only separated by goal difference.
The league’s organising secretary Simplisio Moyo said the league will commence on December 22.
“Our league will commence on December 22. So far 11 teams have confirmed their participation. We are hoping more teams will join the league.
Men have been waiting for this development for a very long time. Since 2008, we have been having tournaments on a social level and this development by Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) will go a long way in breaking the gender barrier that has for long existed within the netball fraternity.
“The society has been a huge challenge because they have always regarded it as a women’s sport but on the pitch we are not different from the women, in fact we are better because we play a highly physical and fast game.
“We are calling upon schools to also embrace and introduce netball for boys so that we have continuity within the sport. The boy child must be given the chance to play netball. The league is comprised of 11 teams from Bulawayo, Harare, Gweru, Zvishavane, Shamva and Manicaland,” he said.
Manica Giants is the only team from Manicaland. The club was formed in 2008 as a social club.
Three Manica Giants players Tapiwa Chirenda, Joshua Mare and Tedious Ziwono were selected in the first ever male national netball team. Chirenda said he feels honoured to be part of the first ever national team.
“It is a great honour to be part of the first ever men’s national team. Before men’s netball was recognised, we were playing at social level and have been playing for more than 18 years.
“I also play handball, korfball and basketball. I am a former national team coach. I have coached the national team between for 2012 - 2014. I am currently coaching Airforce of Zimbabwe netball team,” he said.