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Ellina Mhlanga–Senior Sports Reporter 

THE Zimbabwe senior men’s field hockey team manager Prince Mwale says limited resources are a setback for their build-up to the upcoming Central South Africa tournament to take place from August 31 to September 4 at St John’s College in Harare. 

Malawi, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe are expected to participate in the event that is also serving as a qualifier for the African Games to be staged in Ghana next year. 

The tournament will feature both men’s and women’s teams and two countries from each section will qualify to next year’s continental Games. 

The Hockey Association of Zimbabwe have already announced the men’s and women’s teams. 

Mwale said they have had a slow start in their preparations because of financial constraints. 

“To be honest, it’s really difficult, it’s hard to even put the national team to practice properly because we actually have no funds. 

“National players are having to pay for themselves to hire a facility to train, national players are having to pay for themselves to get transport. 

“So even for the tournament all the players are paying for themselves to be able to play for their national team, so it’s difficult. That’s where we currently stand. 

“Normally we are supposed to have a squad weekend every two weeks. But we have had to cancel because like I am saying we can’t afford because we have to hire the training facility from St John’s College and for us to be able to actually have a proper training session we need the funds,” said Mwale. 

Mwale said while the national association is trying to support the team, there is need for other stakeholders, including the Government, to come on board. 

They have had a few training sessions, taking advantage of the Heroes holiday where they had most of the players attending. 

“So we did have a good session. We didn’t have all our players. But we did have a practice session last week which was really good. It was amazing. 

“With the local Harare boys, we had a practice session yesterday at St John’s College which was good, it was a good practice session. The boys look sharp, I mean they are motivated, they are training hard and outside of just the fact that we are struggling with finances, the team looks really good.” 

Speaking on their opponents, Mwale said while on paper Zimbabwe appears to be the favourites, preparation towards the tournament is now the major difference between them and countries like Zambia. 

“We have played Zambia before, we have played Malawi . . . The biggest problem and the biggest difference between us and Zambia is when we hosted the series, when we played them (then), we drew the series. And they have gone back and they are lucky because their national Olympic Committee and their government are supporting them to be able to train, so they have been training.

“On paper, I mean we should be able to win the tournament. We have got the talent, we will have the best side to win the tournament but all the other teams have been working hard. 

“They have got access to their national facilities, so at the end of the day we are more talented and a better team but if we can’t practice then we will lose to them,” Mwale said. 

They are hoping to have another session this coming Sunday and a week-long camp after.