Hondo eyes Olympics

MONACO has already been selected as host of the World Rugby Sevens Repechage tournament, which is the final qualification event for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.

With 11 of the 12 teams set to compete at the Tokyo Olympics already confirmed, the final spot will be up for grabs at the event slated for June 19 to June 20.

Teams that will battle for the coveted spot at the global sports showpiece include Brazil, Chile, China, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Samoa, Tonga, Uganda and Zimbabwe’s Cheetahs.

And while most of the participating teams have begun preparing for the event, the Cheetahs will officially begin training next month when they travel to South Africa for a weeklong camp.

Coach Daniel Hondo is just happy to get the opportunity to meet up with his charges when the team regroups.

“The boys are happy that they are finally able to start training and just be together as a group,” said Hondo.

“It’s likely to boost morale in camp after being inactive for so long due to the Covid19 pandemic.

“I am chuffed too because just sending stuff to the boys (training programmes) in the hope that they would do it, was never ideal.

“Getting the opportunity to see them faceto-face is something I am looking forward to.”

Hondo is, however, under no illusions about the task that lies ahead for the Cheetahs in their quest for the Olympics.

There are too many obstacles likely to affect chances of success.

Some of the Cheetahs’ opponents are already halfway through preparations for the Repechage tournament.

There is also the ever-lingering threat of another wave of the coronavirus that would most likely mean international travel restrictions would remain in place.

In the event that this happens, Hondo might not be able to call on all the foreign-based players he might need.

The biggest challenge remains long spells of inactivity that affect the players’ strength and conditioning, so one training camp might not be enough.

“It’s definitely a testing time for everyone, what with the pandemic, but the one camp in Cape Town is okay for us.

“The most important thing here is that we are finally able to assemble as a group.

“Some of the targets at the camp will be to try to get our systems in place, work on strategies and tactics, and get familiar with each other to get team morale up again.

“Between now and the camp, we are training four days a week to try to get the boys’ strength and conditioning at the levels needed,” he said.

Commenting on possible opposition and the threat of a third wave, Hondo said: “Yes, there will be some big teams in Monaco, but the pandemic has affected everyone.

“We are at par in terms of the effects of the virus, and as such we will take our chances.

“Everyone wants to win the tournament and will prepare to the best of their abilities. “That is exactly what we intend to do.” He is, however, praying that a third wave will not hit Zimbabwe or affect the tournament.

Hondo has since called in a big squad as a contingency in case any of his foreign-based stars fail to make the trip.

Beyond that, the Cheetahs coach said that while qualifying for the Olympics is the immediate goal, he is looking to build a strong squad to mount a strong challenge for another attempt at the Sevens Core status and qualifying for the World Cup.