The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
REIGNING African netball queens Zimbabwe have been invited to the Nations Cup in Singapore later this year.
The seven-nation tourney will run from September 4 to 10.
Zimbabwe claimed their maiden African Netball Cup in Botswana last year and that success has opened up opportunities for the team.
The country is now set to battle for honours with hosts Singapore, Canada, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zambia and former champions Papua New Guinea at the annual tournament.
Zimbabwe Netball Association president Letitia Chipandu said, “This is a great opportunity for the nation and the team. Getting such invitations is recognition of our quality of play; you don’t just get invited. This also shows that growth wise we are in the right direction.”
Chipandu said Zimbabwe were no longer content with going to such tournaments just to make up the numbers.
“We are currently ranked as the 20th best netball playing nation in the world and such tournaments give us a chance to prove our worth and further improve on that rating.
“After winning our first continental title last year we believe we can beat any team that comes to face us. Gone are the days when we used to be content with just taking part at these international tournaments, it’s time to compete for the big prizes. We have the talent and will be going to Singapore with the intention of winning that Nations Cup,” she said.
As part of the “new winning mentality”, Chipandu disclosed that the national Under-20 and Under-21 teams would this week begin preparations for the Africa World Youth Cup qualifiers set for July in Botswana.
