Story by Anashe Murombedzi
ZIMBABWE is stepping up preparations to host the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) Regional Table Tennis Championships, with the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) finalising arrangements ahead of the three-day tournament.
The championships will be held from 10 to 12 July, with the hosts targeting a podium finish on home soil.
National players are in the final phase of their preparations, while the technical team continues to assess the strengths and weaknesses of rival nations expected to compete.
Senior player Brian Chamboko believes home advantage could prove decisive.
“We’ve been studying the teams we will be playing against, analysing both their strengths and weaknesses. Playing at home gives us an advantage, and unlike some of the visiting teams, we will not have to contend with the effects of long-distance travel,” he said.
The ZTTU has also secured support from the corporate sector after hosting a fundraising dinner to assist with staging the tournament.
ZTTU president Noah Ferenando said preparations are on track.
“We are happy with the turnout and the support we received from the corporate world, and we can safely say we are ready to host the tournament,” he said.
Zimbabwe will host the regional championships for only the second time, having previously staged the competition in 1995.
The tournament will be held at Glen City Retreat in Mashonaland East, with teams from South Africa, Angola, Zambia, Botswana and hosts Zimbabwe expected to compete.
