Patience Muchemwa
Zim Now Reporter
In a captivating display of handball prowess, Sodbury School's Under 17 and Under 20 boys’ teams emerged victorious in both categories at the NASH games held in Victoria Falls and Gwanda, respectively.
From July 11-13 in Victoria Falls, hosted by Mosi Oya Tunya High, and July 18-20 in Gwanda, hosted by Manama Mission School.
The teams showcased remarkable skill and teamwork, surpassing their opponents and securing a well-deserved place in the winner's circle.
Sodbury's coach Calvin Banda expressed his pride in the performance of his boys, who not only claimed one but two national titles in just a week.
“This triumph stands as a monumental feat for the Sodbury community, marking a remarkable way to commemorate the school's 50th anniversary. The handball teams of Sodbury have truly excelled, bringing immense pride and setting a high standard of excellence for the future.”
He elaborated that the team's impressive victory was not a mere coincidence but rather the result of hardwork.
Since 2019, they have nurtured the ambition of becoming the leading force in Zimbabwe schools' handball.
Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, they remained steadfast in their dedication and unwavering focus on that goal.
"We had envisioned the years 2023-2024 as a project I initiated in 2019 with the aspiration of reigning supreme in the Zimbabwe Schools Handball fraternity by 2023 and 2024 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. I had a cohort of boys whom I integrated into this vision, and despite the setbacks imposed by COVID-19, we managed to sustain our commitment to the vision, and I discerned positive signs early in 2022.
“We clinched gold medals in the 20 years and under category for both boys and girls in 2023, and I had strong belief that the boys would successfully defend the title in 2024, which indeed materialised.
The team secured gold medals in the 20 years and under category for both boys and girls in 2023, and Banda was confident in the boys' ability to defend the title in 2024, a belief that came to fruition.
“The team invested significant effort and dedication, including participation in a specialised training camp in Zambia, which enhanced their prowess and skill.
"As we approached 2024, my next focus was on the 17 years and under teams, and regrettably, the girls did not advance to the finals, but the boys etched their names in history by clinching Sodbury's inaugural NASH under 17 title."
“Beyond the vision, we undertook meticulous preparations leading up to these NASH finals, even embarking on a training camp in Zambia, and I must assert that the sacrifices made did yield results."
Banda attributes a substantial portion of the team's success to his technical team and co-coach Farai Mukundu for their unwavering support.
He also acknowledges that while the girls' team did not progress to the finals, the boys' teams made history by securing Sodbury's first NASH under 17 title.
Overall, Coach Banda credits the team's achievements to a clear vision, thorough preparation, and a shared dedication to excellence.
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