Zim korfball fears they may miss out on world cup ...

Zim korfball fears they may miss out on world cup appearance despite qualification

Bridget Mabanda

The Zimbabwe national korfball squad, which last Sunday qualified for next year’s World Cup, is appealing for corporate support for their preparations for the global championships to be held in Chinese Taipei in October 2023.

Zimbabwe Korfball Federation secretary general Ottilia Kurebwaseka bemoaned lack of resources for the sport saying,

“We need sponsorship in the form of resources to enable us to participate at the world championships. For the world championships the team will have 14 players and 5 officials.

“Our appeal is for the corporate sector to sponsor us for China so that our dreams of raising our country’s flag high are not shattered.”

In 2019, the team failed to participate due to financial constraints. She said for their games in Zambia where they managed to qualify, they travelled by road.

Zimbabwe won the final IKF-All Africa Championships by 14-12 against defending champions South Africa to book their place in the world cup championships.

“As Zimbabwe Korfball Federation, this was a wonderful achievement. We had harboured this dream since 2019 after failing to participate due to financial constraints.

“Zambia had improved greatly and South Africa had more experienced players than us, but we put up a spirited performance. We played as a team and were very determined, calm and disciplined. Our appreciation also goes to CAG Travellers for donating a bus to our Zim 2 team Filchrist School Shamva that travelled to Zambia for development and played the countries present out of competition,” said Kurebwaseka.

For the IKF All Africa Korfball Championships, the Federation got T-shirts, caps and juice bottles from Itel Zimbabwe.

Filchrist boarding school in Shamva donated t-shirts, two playing kits, caps as well as sponsoring the team's pre- camp. Allan Wilson school offered accommodation for the male players for the final camp.

Queen Elizabeth school offered accommodation for the girls for the team's final camp and training ground and the Queen Elizabeth School Alpha Leo Club donated toiletries for the female players.

Zim players squad:

Females: Blessing Kahari, Christabel Kalikoka, Salma Dan Haji, Ruvimbo Pawandiwa, Prudence Chiyaka, Emencildah Muyengi, Leasah Berekwa and Ellen Chikoto,

Males: Wisdom Tatenda Shinya as captain, Munashe Nota, Gift Maramba, Tatenda Sunga, Craig Nikisi, Tafara Muzvidziwa