THE Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA) has set eyes on qualifying for the All-Africa Games to be held in Congo Brazzaville in September this year.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Zimbabwe is one of the countries that usually takes part in the sporting showcase that is held every four years offering sports like volleyball, netball, football, basketball and athletics.
ZVA secretary-general Ringisai Mapondera yesterday said they resolved to focus on the All-Africa Games qualification at their annual general meeting in Harare on Saturday.
“We decided that we will prioritise All-Africa Games. Emphasis was put on the need to ensure that our teams travel to participate in international competitions.
“The All-Africa Games qualifiers are going to be held in April although the venue is yet to be announced.
“We need to work hard so that we send our national teams to the competition. The beach volleyball men’s team qualified for the Beach Volleyball Continental Cup zonal qualifiers in December last year. However, we have not been informed the venue of the zonal qualifiers,” he said.
He said they decided to concentrate on the competitions because they believed local players had potential.
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“ We do have players in the country who could do well in international competitions. We also have good players like Murray Pole Ndlovu who is based in Japan,” he said.
Mapondera said they were hoping to raise funds through subscription fees from provinces, selling merchandise like T-shirts and also to run ZVA courses instead of the courses being run by the provinces.
However, a tough task lies ahead for the association as sending teams to international competitions requires a lot of money.
Harare, Bulawayo, Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, chairpersons of players, referees, coaches and beach volleyball and executive members attended the meeting.
Also in attendance was head of national association of primary schools, George Chiwarura, as well as Zimbabwe women’s team coach Vulindlela Moyo.
Moyo yesterday said a lot of work needs to be done in preparation for the All-Africa Games qualifies.
“”The All-Africa Games qualifiers are going to be held in April. We haven’t selected the team yet.
“We will train in blocks in Harare and Bulawayo. The problem is money. We have to train according to the ZVA budget. We need to work very hard if we are to qualify,” he said.