The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi —
THE Zimbabwe Under-21 ladies beach volleyball pair of Ottilia Gomo and Maud Karimandima say they are more than just teammates.
Gomo and Karimandima insist they are sisters who share a common dream as they prepare for the World Beach Volleyball Championship qualifiers in Maputo, Mozambique.
Zimbabwe have to finish in the top four at the Zone VI qualifiers running from March 10-16 to earn a ticket to the continental qualifiers in Tunisia next month.
The odds are heavily stacked against Zimbabwe making it all the way to the world showcase.
But for Gomo, who started playing beach volleyball in the sands of Mudzi at Masarakufa Secondary School, belief is never in short supply.
“There is no reason for going into a competition when you don’t believe that you can win it. We are ready for the Zone VI qualifiers, we have been preparing well,” she said. “My combination with Maud has been improving and I am chuffed to be on this mission with someone who has become something more like a sister and best friend in the few weeks we have been together.”
The 19-year-old believes her background will come in handy.
“I grew up playing in Mudzi, we have our sand there too and … I believe I can adjust to any conditions,” she said.
Gomo’s “sister” and partner is also confident Zimbabwe will sail through the qualifiers.
“Definitely we are going to win because we have been training hard,” said Karimandima. “We are going to emerge as champions in Mozambique, the love we have for each other and the understanding we are playing is amazing.”
Karimandima is usually the emotional one when the going gets tough in the sand.
“Yeah, I do get emotional sometimes especially when we are under a lot of pressure, but I like how Ottilia understands me and calms me. In beach volleyball it’s only you and your teammate so understanding each other is key,” she said.
