The Netherlands Embassy in Harare hosted a celebratory sendoff dinner on Thursday evening for Zimbabwe’s national Over-40 and Over-50 hockey teams ahead of the 2026 World Masters Hockey (WMH) World Cup.
The tournament, set to take place from July 22 to August 16, 2026, will be co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. Zimbabwe is sending two robust men’s squads to compete against the globe's finest veterans, with the delegation scheduled to fly out on Monday, July 20.
In an interview with this publication Netherlands Ambassador Matthijs van Hofwegen highlighted the deep-rooted hockey culture shared by both nations, emphasising that the sport goes far beyond an elite pastime in his home country.
"What the Netherlands and Zimbabwe have a lot of things in common also in sports and also very much in hockey," Ambassador Van Hofwegen said.
"Because as you might know, hockey is really a part of our DNA. It's really, it's probably the most discussed sports in the Netherlands because always it's football hitting the headlines, but it's also hockey that is a big sport in the Netherlands. And that's really deep—deeply rooted in our schools, in universities. And also I think hockey is quite special also in the Netherlands because it's also not only an elite sport."
The Ambassador noted that the tournament is a massive global spectacle, drawing comparisons to football’s biggest stage.
"And it's really, it's a big event. 30 countries are playing, 1,000 players, I don't know, 300 games or so. It's really, I mean, it's a bit of the equivalent of the Fifa World Cup. It's really, it's really a big event and I think it's really great that you're playing here. And also I think it's important, also I see that hockey is growing in Zimbabwe."
The Zimbabwean squads will be based in Rotterdam and Schiedam for their matches.
Van Hofwegen, an Amsterdam native, shared some lighthearted regional rivalry while praising the world-class venues awaiting the local players.
"So in a few weeks' time you go—you go to Rotterdam. And Rotterdam is not my city, that's Amsterdam. We always say: 'In Rotterdam we work, and we spend the money in Amsterdam.' But Rotterdam is a beautiful place. It's the port's place. It's also what they call it 'the Manhattan of the Netherlands' because it has really unique skyscrapers.
"And it's also—we also call it a bit 'the Mecca of hockey' in the Netherlands because you're going to play I think both in Schiedam—it's really Dutch, Schiedam—and in Rotterdam. And Rotterdam, the club has really top-notch facilities so I think you will have a great time in Rotterdam."
Acknowledging the tough draw facing Zimbabwe—who will line up against powerhouse nations like England, Ireland, and New Zealand—the diplomat backed the standard of the local teams.
"So I wanted to thank you all for being here. Also wish you best of luck. May the best win. I mean it's—it's quite a tough league with UK, Ireland, New Zealand. But I mean, I think you will have a big chance and I wish you best of luck. Also have fun out there in the Netherlands. It's very hot in the Netherlands by the way, but you will love it for sure. So also make—make the best out of your journey in the Netherlands. So thank you very much."
National coach Tapiwa Mafi praised the immense dedication of his players, noting that the physical preparation required for master-level hockey is intense.
"The teams have worked really hard. It's been maybe the hardest they've ever worked since high school or whatever it is when they play for the national teams," Mafi said.
"Put in a lot of hours, so I'm very happy with how the guys have gone. At this age group, we worry more about bodies lasting the tournament than people being ready to play with the ball."
While acknowledging the elite level of the opposition, Mafi remains confident that Zimbabwe’s trademark team spirit will carry them through.
"To be honest, I'm just expecting Zimbabwe to be competitive. We are playing against some of the best in the world. But the joy of what we are as Zimbabwe is we're passionate and we are people that come with a lot of camaraderie. So we're very prepared to work as a unit. And I think that will give us an edge in most of those teams."
Mafi also pointed to the broader significance of masters sports, highlighting how it fosters lifelong participation and athletic longevity, even if scheduling conflicts temporarily kept the women's sides at home this year.
"The first thing is that you can still play sport in your 40s, 50s, all the way up to your 60s. So there's longevity in the sport of hockey. But it also says that there's people that are willing to be involved in the sport forever from an administrative point of view," Mafi added.
"Because everyone thinks about the little kid playing at 16, but no one thinks about the administrator that's willing to look at people and look after them, even after they're 65.
"So I think there's a lot of growth, there's a lot of depth in the sport of hockey, which makes me smile. And it's a dual-gender sport, so it's not just for the men. Unfortunately, this dual, it coincided with a lot of school term things, and a lot of our ladies are involved in the school system. So we couldn't field the team. But in the past World Cups, our ladies have actually done pretty well there. And we look forward to having them come back."
The coach expressed deep gratitude for Ambassador Van Hofwegen’s personal investment in the Zimbabwean hockey community, noting that the diplomat has been a regular fixture at local pitches.
"It's such an honour. Not only are we at an ambassadorial house, but we are with a fellow hockey person, someone that actually played at a higher level. I mean, technically, they played at a higher level being Dutch, right, than us. And for him to welcome us here, he's now come to visit us and watch us play in our local leagues and our practices. He's very involved in the whole hockey thing. So we'd love to speak the sport of development or the story of development, knowing that we've got someone that is renowned for development. That's why he's positioned in Africa. So it's an honour to be here and be alongside like-minded people that love the sport and love development."
The Zimbabwe Masters Over-40 Men's team faces a formidable testing ground in Pool play at Schiedam.
Zim Over 40s fixtures
July 23 (14:30 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. New Zealand
July 25 (18:10 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. South Africa 'B'
July 26 (14:30 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. England
July 28 (12:40 CAT): Zimbabwe vs. Ireland