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Tedious Manyepo Sports Reporter
SEVERAL senior and junior clubs from across the country are expected to converge at Chikanga Sports Complex in Mutare for the annual korfball national championships scheduled for this weekend.

The mixed-gender sporting jamboree returns after three years, having last been held in 2013.

Zimbabwe Korfball Federation national development officer Percyledge Samugadza said the national championships could not be held in the last three years owing to resource constraints but is happy that it has returned thanks to some corporates who have necessitated its return.

“As a Federation, I should say that we are very happy to see the annual competition back in the fold. We were only concentrating on schools without having any contests at club level.

“But we are happy that some corporates and individuals have managed to help us. Around twelve senior clubs and an equal number of juniors from across the country are expected at the event where there will be prize money, trophies and medals for the three best placed clubs for both categories,” he said.

He appealed for fans to come in their numbers to witness the sporting event which is largely unfamiliar with many Zimbabwean.

Meanwhile, the national Under-23 korfball team which qualified for the Junior World Cup tournament to be held in Netherlands next year is appealing for sponsorship to help them prepare for the tournament where Zimbabwe will be taking part for the first time.

“Our national Under-23 side has made it to the Korfball Junior World Cup scheduled for the Netherlands next year.

“We are appealing for sponsorship from the corporate world to help us prepare for the tourney. We need to play as many friendly matches as possible since our players are not very much active due to the lack of a running league in the country,” said Samugadza.

Korfball is a combination of handball, basketball and netball which has its roots in Netherlands.

The sport was introduced in Zimbabwe in 2005 starting in Masvingo and has since spread its wings Manicaland, Harare, Bulawayo and Mashonaland East.

The ZKF are currently working on modalities to introduce a league for the sport which is also popular in other African countries like South Africa, Malawi, Egypt, Botswana and Kenya.