Story by Mthokozisi Dube
ZIMBABWE’S national handball sides have entered the final phase of preparations for the upcoming Zone Six Championships, with a 10-day intensive training camp underway in Harare.
The Under-20 girls and Under-18 boys teams are fine-tuning their readiness ahead of the regional tournament, following a series of periodic camps held over recent months.
A total of 21 players in the Under-20 girls’ category and 23 in the Under-18 boys’ division are currently in camp, with both squads set to be trimmed to 14 players after three days of assessment.
Bekezela Ncube, Technical Director of the Zimbabwe Handball Federation, said expectations are high, particularly for the boys’ team.
“We are going there as favourites in the Under-18 boys category. This camp is mainly for team bonding, as we have been conducting periodic camps before. This is now our final phase of preparations ahead of departure on the 27th. We are confident in both teams,” he said.
The Zone Six Handball Championships will run from April 27 to May 3 at the Olympic Youth Development Centre in Lusaka.
Eight countries: Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe are expected to compete for regional honours.
