THE KORFBALL national Under-17 team qualified for next year’s World Cup in Czech Republic after coming second at the All Africa Championships in South Africa over the weekend.
BY HENRY MHARA
Their impressive showing at the Games saw four Zimbabwean players Effort Mandishona, Salma Dan Haj, Tatenda Mupanduki and Chido Chivenga getting scholarships with a South African University, North West. This was despite their shambolic preparations which saw the 20-member squad travelling to Pretoria on public transport and arriving on competition day.
The team left on Friday with very little money and almost got stranded in South Africa.
This was despite guarantees from the government that some money would be sent through for their upkeep.
They ended up borrowing money in South Africa for the upkeep of the players.
“We had difficulties in raising money for transport and accommodation but after our deliberation with the Ministry of Sports, we were assured that they would support us with the $7 800 we needed. We left behind one of our members to collect the money but that proved fruitless,” said Zimbabwe Korfball Federation (ZKF) president Tarirai Chadebah.
“We had to borrow some money for food and accommodation and the debt is stalking us as we speak. Our players played really well though despite the challenges. We actually owe them over $7 000 in allowances and winning bonuses. We are still hoping that the government would fulfill their promise and at the same time appealing to the corporate world to intervene,” he added.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Had Zimbabwe failed to attend the tournament, they were going to be fined $30 000.
Zimbabwe opened their campaign with a 17-7 loss to the hosts before recording victories over Zambia and Malawi on 16-3 and 10-0 scorelines to set up a final against eventual winners South Africa.
Zimbabwe lost the match 14-10 to get a silver medal, which was good enough to earn the country qualification for next year’s world championships set for Czech Republic in July.
Korfball is a ball sport, with similarities to netball and basketball. It is played by two teams of eight players with either eight females in each team or with four females and four males in each team. The objective is to throw a ball through a bottomless basket that is mounted on a 3.5 m high pole.
Korfball was introduced in Zimbabwe in early 2000 but the sport’s growth has remained stunted due to lack of funds.
Players score by throwing the ball through the opponents’ basket. After two goals, the teams change zones: defenders become attackers and attackers become defenders. In between those zone-changes, attackers cannot set foot on their defending zone or vice versa.
