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Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE interest that was generated by the senior national netball team during the Vitality Netball World Cup in England, July, is sadly dying down.

Instead, what has been hogging the limelight, of late, are the boardroom squabbles.
The good thing, however, is that the team is still in place.
And,newly-appointed Gems captain, Felistus Kwangwa, wants the team to remain active.

The 24-year-old, whose first assignment as captain was the Africa Cup in South Africa, believes the Gems have what it takes to etch their name among the best in the world.

“I believe in my girls, the team and what I have seen is that all the girls are determined,’’ she said.
“When it comes to netball, they know they are at their workplace, so they give it their all.
“The only thing that we need as a team is more exposure and we are always ready to perform and please the nation.
“Of course, the World Cup was a good platform but I don’t think it was enough and it comes once every four years.

“So, I think we need more of that (international competitions). I think the tournaments are there and we have received quite a lot of invitations.

“But, what is keeping us here is the fact that we don’t have the finances to fund such trips.’’
Countries such as South Africa, Malawi and Uganda have become Africa’s netball powerhouses.
The presence of Australia-based Joice Takaidza at the World Cup showed the importance of having foreign-based players.
“I would love to see even one of my teammates playing outside Zimbabwe because I just believe that’s where there is more competition and it’s actually good for the national team,’’ said Kangwa.

“I was really impressed (with Joice Takaidza) and I can imagine if we get two of our players playing in the Super League in Australia or England.

“We can even be on third position at any World Cup tournament. Imagine how useful she was to the team as an individual.
“I am not actually sure about the Division she is playing in but she was exceptionally good.’’
Zimbabwe have competed in African tournaments due to financial limitations.

In 2017 they won gold at the Pent Series in Namibia.
The event also featured Zambia, Swaziland and Botswana.
They have continued taking part in the Pent Series in Namibia and the Diamond Challenge in South Africa.
Other tournaments they have been to include the Hong Kong tri-nations in 2017.

But, because of lack of funds, they cannot regularly make such trips.
The Correctional Queens player said they need to take their game to the next level.
“I think we need bigger tournaments so that we can know where we are right now because playing against teams that are below us doesn’t really improve us,’’ she said.

Following their maiden appearance at the global stage in England in July, Kwangwa would want to see the Gems making it again for the next edition in South Africa in 2023.

“South Africa are already preparing for the 2023 World Cup and they have started now, soon after another World Cup.
“So you can imagine after three years, the team will be vibrant and, as for us, we are not featuring in any of the tournaments, which will be a bit challenging for us to match the standards of those teams who have already started preparing for the tournament.

“I think we have to start now, just waiting for the next World Cup, sitting back home won’t help us get anywhere.’’
South Africa are hosting England in Cape Town in an international Test series from November 29 to December 1.
The Zimbabwe’s Under-21 side have been invited to take on the South African junior side, the Spar Baby Proteas, as curtain raisers.