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Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S netball Gems will get their preparations for the 2019 Netball World Cup underway by taking part in the Diamond Cup tournament in South Africa.

The tourney which will feature African representatives to the global showpiece.

The Gems will be the lowest-ranked side the Diamond Cup scheduled for Polokwane, South Africa, from November 26 to December 2.

Other sides at the tourney include World Cup-bound teams Malawi and Uganda.

A yet-to-be named pair of European teams will complete the cast at the Dimaond Cup, the first major event since the African Championships.

Zimbabwe coach Lloyd Makunde has not been resting on his laurels after his team’s qualification for the World Cup last month.

The Gems mentor has embarked on a search for more players to widen his selection base.

Makunde acknowledged that the tournament in Polokane will be key in helping to fine-tune his charges who will be making their debut at the World Cup in Liverpool, England.

“We are looking for tall players at the moment since there is still time and we are going to use the upcoming Diamond Cup as a platform for our players to gain experience as we prepare for the global tournament,” Makunde said.

“While we have several events lined up until the World Cup, the Diamond Cup comes first and because we are the least-ranked of all the teams that will participate, we want to capitalise on it so that our players gain the much-needed experience.’’

Makunde said he was also hopeful the Zimbabwe Netball Association will also help his cause by arranging more international friendly games against teams that are ranked higher than his Gems.

ZINA president Leticia Chipandu said they were working to give the Gems adequate preparations and have established an organising committee composed of a number of stakeholders.

Chipandu said they had also engaged their patron, Marry Chiwenga, the Sport and Recreation Commission and members of the ZINA executive to assist with the fund-raising drive.

“We have visited our patron, Mrs Mary Chiwenga informing her about the World Cup and the huge task that lies ahead.

‘’We have a committee which will work with her to raise funds for all logistics to make the event a success.

“The committee will also approach the corporate world on a fly-a-gem or fly-two-gems basis as we prepare,” said Chipandu.

Chipandu said another committee had been established in the United Kingdom, to source funds under the banner “Bring The Girls To Liverpool”.