Beach volleyball team qualifies for world champs

Volleyball
DESPITE losing their games against Egypt and Mozambique, the Zimbabwe Under-21 beach volleyball men’s team qualified for the World Championships to be held in Cyprus next month.

DESPITE losing their games against Egypt and Mozambique, the Zimbabwe Under-21 beach volleyball men’s team qualified for the World Championships to be held in Cyprus next month.

SPORTS REPORTER

Churchill High School student Keith Machakaire and Collen Peters from Cornway College represented the country, but lost 2-0 in both games. The games were held in Mozambique at the weekend.

Beach volleyball international referee and Zimbabwe head of delegation, Elliot Mupariwa, yesterday told Southern Eye Sport that the team had qualified to the next stage.

“They were highly contested games, but we lost. We used a new partnership because our players could not make it to Mozambique.

“We usually have Douglas Choto and Musa Annafi. Choto could not travel because of examinations, so we had to bring in Keith Machakaire and Collin Peters,” he said.

“Our team has to polish up before the World Championships. If it is possible it would help if the team could travel maybe a week early.

“What is affecting our teams is that we do not have natural beach. We also have to be aware because rules are changing.”

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe Volleyball Association secretary-general Ringisai Mapondera yesterday said they were yet to confirm the team that would travel to Cyprus.

He said the team will need $15 000 to travel to the international competition expected to run from July 22-27.