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Caroline Magenga Sports Reporter
AFTER being dominated by regional teams over the past years, Zimbabwean handball clubs are hoping to break the jinx this weekend in the President’s Tournament set for Harare this weekend.
With teams from Mozambique and Zambia expected to arrive for the two-day tournament tomorrow, the Zimbabwean teams are ready for the games which will be staged at Harare’s Houghton Park Primary School and hope to maximise on home advantage.

At least 40 teams from nine provinces have confirmed their participation at this tournament while six visiting regional teams — three apiece from Mozambique and Zambia — will add flavour.

In the last regional competitions held in Zambia last month, Zimbabwe came third behind Mozambique while the hosts came second. The Zimbabwe Handball Federation’s Northern Region Premier League log leaders Black Rhinos coach Thembani Nkala yesterday told The Herald that they are not looking into history.

“Preparations are going on very well and the players are all excited and looking forward to participating in the tournament
“In Zimbabwe’s last encounter against our regional visiting counterparts we came third, but that does not mean anything going into this tournament.

“They (Zambia and Mozambique) beat us at youth level at Under-20 age-group, but for this tournament we will be fielding our senior players so anything can happen,” said Nkala

The army side’s coach also said they have respect for their counterparts, but they do not feel intimidated.
“The players play a lot of pressure games in the league so there are not likely to be intimidated by the regional teams, if anything, morale is very high in the camp.

“We hold a lot of respect for all teams, but we are not intimidated, particularly for my team they (Black Rhinos) are more than ready to take on the visiting teams and I am sure they will be able to stand the heat.

“For the sake of national pride we hope to win and at least keep the trophy in the country, we have the home advantage so I hope we will utilise that fully.”

Manyame Handball Club team manager Robert Shumba feels his side is geared up for the tournament.
“We have the zeal to win and we have intensified our training because we have been working on the loopholes and mistakes we saw in Zambia from our previous tournament because we are determined to keep the trophy here in Zimbabwe,” said Shumba.

The Amon Madzvamuse-led ZHF are hosting the President’s Tournament for the second year running and it is being sponsored by several companies and individuals including Drumcity, Delatfin Limited, Innscor’s Bakers Inn, Quest Motors, Ad-Life Waters, In-Sport, Hungwe Travel, Makonde Nutrition and MR T35 among others.