Story by Mthokozisi Dube
THE Zimbabwe Handball Federation has intensified grassroots development efforts following a two-day Level One officiating and coaching clinic held over the weekend, as preparations gather momentum for the upcoming regional championships.
With less than two weeks before the Zone Six Championships at the Olympic Youth Development Centre, the federation is scaling up capacity-building programmes aimed at strengthening technical structures and improving participation at grassroots level.
Participants who attended the clinics commended the initiative, saying it equipped them with updated knowledge on the sport’s rules and officiating standards.
“This is an important workshop which will capacitate us as coaches and officials. We learnt a lot from this workshop, which will help us execute our roles,” coach Angeline Ruvai said.
“I was doing Level One coaching. I received a lot of expertise. All along, we thought we knew the rules of the sport, but we realised that a lot has changed, so we need to realign and move with the new rules,” participant Lodice Siziba said.
The federation is targeting schools and institutions as part of broader efforts to expand the sport nationwide.
“We are conducting a national Level One and Two officiating and coaching course. This programme is important as these are key delivery agents in our handball structures, as we focus on development. We are tapping into officials from clubs, technical institutions and schools. From now on, we expect to see improved participation from the grassroots level up to the elite stage,” Taurai Muberekwa said.
The clinics come as Zimbabwe steps up preparations for the Zone Six Championships scheduled for April 23 to May 2 in Zambia.
