The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
Zimbabwe has qualified for the Under-23 Beach Volleyball World Championships.
The country received a wild card entry to the championships that are set to run from June 10-15 in Msylowice, Poland.
The wild card entry came after most African teams failed to confirm their participation at the Continental Cup, which was supposed to act as the qualifier for the world finals, in time.
With only Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Mozambique confirming their participation at the competition, the Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB) decided to do away with the qualifier and draft the Southern Africa trio into the World Championships.
FIVB is also expected to draft two other African countries into the competition.
An elated Zimbabwe Volleyball Association secretary-general Ringisai Mapondera confirmed the development.
“The Federation of International Volleyball required teams to confirm their participation by April 25. Unfortunately, most of the zones failed to adhere to the deadline, which meant they lost their places.
“Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland have since qualified for the games which will be played in Poland in June.
“It will be our second time to play this tournament after our maiden appearance last year.
“We have so many talented young players who are relishing the prospect of coming up against some of the volleyball giants of the world and we hope to come up with the best team for the competition”
Meanwhile, local referee Leonard Gaize has been appointed the Zone Six region head referee and is expected to wear his new robes at the Under-23 Olympic qualifiers in Mozambique in July.
Gaize, who has been an international referee for three years, is delighted by the appointment and has vowed to continue raising Zimbabwe’s flag high.
He has also set his sights on becoming a FIVB instructor.
“I am happy to have been given this honour, it’s a clear sign that my hard work is paying off. I thank my employers, the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Zimbabwe Volleyball Association for their support,” he said.
