Players want netball back

08 Nov, 2020 - 00:11 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter

WHILE the Zimbabwe Netball Association has remained mum on the prospects of the game’s return, Rainbow Netball Amateur League players feel let down by Leticia Chipandu’s mother body as most of them survive on the sport. Netball together with other sport codes was put on halt earlier in March due to the global Covid-19 outbreak.

The domestic season had only witnessed three games when matches were halted and players feel ZINA like other associations should be making efforts to secure permission to resume.

But Chipandu and her executive have been conspicuous by their silence amid fears that squabbles could return to haunt the sport.

National team captain Felistas Kwangwa, who turns out for Correctional Queens, said the only time that she was on the sidelines for more than three months was after picking a knee injury in 2017. She is worried about the effects of a long spell of inactivity on the players.

“This is the first time I have been off action and what is worrying is the fact that it is not definite when we are returning to action as everyone is simply quiet.

“We have been working out in our backyards but a word of assurance from the authorities gives you some hope and you personally want to work harder.

“So at this time, most players have stopped, I also feel low because I had hoped for some action with Platinum where I have been on loan but unfortunately it is already time to go back home,” Kwangwa said.

ZRP Mambas Queens’ Pauline Jani,
who also features for the Gems, has consistently been in action for close to two decades.

Although she still looks forward to playing again when action returns, she reckons it will not be easy.

“We have been off the court for long and with the silence you end up feeling demotivated to train since you have nothing to look forward to.

“We are currently clueless of what is happening right now, it will be really tough when action returns. I think we will need at least eight weeks to build up again.

“I wish everyone who is involved in pushing for the return of the game could play their part, remember most of us survive on netball,” Jani said.

ZDF Queens defender Shallom Ncube said the long wait has already brought a lot of effects “let alone no prospects for the return of the game’’.

 

 

Ncube is worried players are going through a painful period as most of them survive on netball.

“Our lives are basically netball so this cannot be easy. However, it would have been better if there was some update on the progress if at all there was any.

“It is a disaster for us to be inactive like this, everyone looked forward to some news when we heard about the return of football but unfortunately with netball it is a different story,” said Ncube.

Platinum Queens Goal Attacker Progress Moyo has been training on her own during the lockdown but says she has lost hope on the game’s return.

“Personally I am a fitness fanatic and I have other things motivating me to work harder but as for other players, I know they have lost the zeal.“When lockdown started, it was better because a lot was being said on the resumption of games but now with this silence, you cannot be sure of what to think,” Moyo said.

Similarly, Ngezi Queens captain Taslima Mdimba is yearning for the resumption of action.Although they are training at home as individuals, Mdimba said they miss the real thing.

“Home training is more workable when you have a target but honestly who can have a target amid this silence?

“We are not sure about how long we are going to wait, at this point some even feel as if they have lost their jobs.

“Some contracts will be expiring next month and we are not even sure if renewal offers will come or not, sadly there is no association to stand up for the game,” Mdimba said.

Falcon Queens’ Tafadzwa Matura suggested that ZINA and RANL bury their differences for the good of netball and before talent is lost to other sports.Matura is also concerned about the plight of the national team.

“Some countries have returned to action although with certain conditions and if we are to keep up then by now we should have had at least a rough idea of when local games will resume.

“Soon international games may resume, remember the Gems have a name to uphold out there and imagine heading straight to camp in this state, that is pure suicide.

“ZINA and RANL need to do what is best for the game because all this mess is simply destroying the sport they so claim to love,” said Matura.

Tenax captain Maud Chisoro is disappointed that her team had started the season on a high before the long break.

“This year we were on an extra exceptional level, braced to make an impact, in fact we had pledged to be a threat to most of the teams in the league.

“Unfortunately Covid-19 struck and we had no choice except to comply with regulations but since the conditions have relaxed, netball powers need to take action. We cannot wait to return to the court,” Chisoro said.

 

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