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A STAR IN THE MAKING . . . Young Zimbabwean handball player Tineyi Kadema (right) watches the Under-13 side of his new German club SG H2Ku Herrenburg in action during his recent trial period in the European country

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
NINETEEN-year-old handball player Tineyi Kadema says his three-month stint with the SG H2Ku in Germany for the past three months has been a learning curve as he pursues his dream of being a professional player.

Kadema went to Germany in April for trials, which were initially supposed to last one month but ended up staying there for three months.

Kadema, who is set to return to Germany in a few months’ time after he was given a one-year contract, said he has to work hard as the standard of handball in that country is high.

“I was in Germany for three months under SG H2Ku Herrenburg. They are playing in Third Division, which is also good. There is a lot of competition in the division and I can say I have never played at a higher level as they play. So it was a challenge getting used to their type of play but I managed to adjust.

“Their league starts in three months’ time, so it’s probably September. I am supposed to be back in Germany after three months. But the visa takes two months to be approved.

“And I learnt a lot because they gave me their Under-13 team to coach, which was very good. I did my best, the parents and the team were also happy with how I coach and how I do my things. It was a lot of fun.

“I coached for two months and they did play a tournament and came out number five which was good. The Herrenberg club consists of many teams, boys and girls’ Under-10, Under-13, Under-18 up to the senior team. So it’s a big club,” said Kadema, who returned home on Saturday.

Kadema said his ambition is to play for the first team but would want to start with the club’s second side to adjust to their play.

“They have the first and second team for the seniors. They both play in the Third Division, so whichever way, playing in the second or first team are just the same. But only that playing for the first team is the big thing and my aim is to play for the first team.

“But I will start with a lower team so that I can adjust to their type of play. If I can get the visa at the end of September that will be a good thing because the contract will also end the following year in September.

“What I can say is that it’s a big chance for me and Zimbabwe. It’s also a big chance for me to learn the type of handball they play that side so that I can also come back and coach some other guys. But one big thing I noticed in Germany is that the parents really get themselves involved in the development of their kids in any sport . . . They really invest a lot in terms of both time and money.

“At first it looks like they are doing everything for fun but they put their hearts and souls in any sporting project involving their kids . . . They have a passion and it’s just unbelievable,” said Kadema.

Kadema said there is need to re-organise the sport locally and put in place long-term programmes for it to grow.

But at the moment, handball in Zimbabwe is “leaderless” following the suspension of the Amon Madzvamuse-led Zimbabwe Handball Federation executive board, who were banned for two years by the Sports Commission at the beginning of the year for non-compliance.

There is also no national league in place although Harare Province revived their league in March.