Nkosilathi Sibanda, Sports Reporter
IT never rains but pours for the local volleyball scene. First the regional competition they were set to take part in last year did not come through, then the All-Africa Games qualifiers failed to take place as no country was keen to come here.
By default the team found itself as representatives of the region in the All-Africa Games to be held in Ghana next month. But on Tuesday, the volleyball was stung into mourning, when the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) omitted the senior men’s volleyball team, the Eagles from the list that is going for the All-Africa Gmes. The Games are slated for Accra from 8 to 23 March.
Last Tuesday, the SRC said the country will participate in athletics, cycling, karate, rugby, tennis, swimming and triathlon. The SRC’s director-general Elta Nengomasha, who is also the Games’ Chef de Mission led the Team Zimbabwe management in announcing the development to the media.
It was revealed the selectors took into consideration sport codes that are eyeing qualification to the Olympic Games, bearing in mind that the All-Africa Games will be used as qualifiers for some of the sport codes.
The dropping of other sport codes was reportedly due to financial constraints. With volleyball not being part of the disciplines not going to Ghana, many of the sport’s stakeholders were disappointed. The Zimbabwe Volleyball Association (ZVA) had for long been preparing for the games.
ZVA had already organised two training camps under coach Itsanang Abu-Basuthu, with some foreign based players having travelled home for the programme. Team manager Farai Mboto told Zimpapers Sports Hub that players felt let down. National team captain Douglas Choto who is based in Cyprus and the vice-captain Trymore Nyakwangwa expressed disappointment.
“It came hard on our players. They least expected it,” Mboto said.
Mboto said the players lost out an opportunity to showcase their talent.
“We had two training camps, funding ourselves. Now, at the very last minute, the efforts are gone. We have a golden generation of players doing very well and we really wanted to showcase their skill and talent. As an association we are now working on having a friendly with our neighbouring countries so that we give these guys game time. Our most probable date will be with Zambia and hosting the match will work well for us since our membership, stakeholders and partners would want to see their team in action.-@NkosieLegend
