The Zimbabwe national netball team’s trip to Uganda was
delayed, with the team now set to leave for East Africa today for some friendly
matches ahead of World Cup finals in Liverpool in July.
Government has been securing the airfares for the team to
travel for their first preparatory assignment. The Gems have been in camp for
the past month.
Yesterday, Zimbabwe Netball Association president, Letticia
Chipandu, said the trip was definitely on after the Government, through the
Sports Commission, transferred the funds.
“We are leaving tomorrow (today). They have managed to
transfer the funds so we are busy sorting that right now,’’ she said.
‘’We will be in Uganda for five days and our matches would
be rearranged, the dates, but we will still play the four matches.’’
Gems coach, Lloyd Makunde, has since said the match against
the Ugandans, who are ranked higher than Zimbabwe, provides good test for his
troops.
“These games are very important for us. Some players are
new to international netball and would be playing competitive matches for the
first time.
“Playing a team like Uganda, we can really measure where we
are. They are a force to reckon with on the continent when it comes to netball.
‘’They were seventh or eighth, I am not sure, at the last
World Cup, so the competition they will give to us would be really good.
“We will know our strengths and weaknesses,” said Makunde. More
competitive friendly matches against other World Cup-bound teams, South Africa
and Malawi, are on the cards.
Zimbabwe are in Group A with Australia, Northern Ireland
and Sri Lanka. Herald
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