The ManicaPost
Fungayi Munyoro Sports Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Netball Association will this Saturday hold a pre-season Netball Open Tournament at Stoddard Hall in Mbare, Harare.
The league’s fixture secretary, Agnes Chiroodza, told The Weekender Sport that all was set for this year’s open tourney.
A total of 18 clubs will take part in this tournament following the promotion of four clubs into the national league after play-offs held on February 11.
A total of 17 teams took part. All teams from the Super League are expected to participate.
“Everything has been set for this tournament. The reason why we organised such a tournament is to make the newly promoted teams familiarise with the old teams. The new teams that gained promotion include Platinum Queens from Zvishavane, ZRP Tomlinson Depot Harare, Flow Angels from Harare and Dolphins from Harare. The new clubs will get the taste of the waters and experience the level of competition in the Super League. This will act as an induction for them,” she added.
Agnes said they were expecting a fruitful season this year, better than last year season.
She said every team was rearing to go and competition would be stiff this season.
She also said no team was relegated from the Super League.
“This year we expect a season fully packed with action. All the teams are ready and competition will be stiff. We have witnessed it already during the play-offs which were held on February 11. Competition was stiff. We did not have any awards besides medals for the first, second and third teams. We came up with the four teams which were promoted into the Super League. No team was relegated, but we have teams that failed to finish their race. We have Waru Waru and ZRP Bindura,” she said.
The Zimbabwe Super League which is expected to commence sometimes in March will have a total of 18 teams.
Glow Petroleum finished on top with 53 points, followed by Correctional Queens which had 52 points. City of Harare was on third position with 46 points, while early pacesetters, Beta Queens were on fourth place with 44 points.
ZDF Queens were on the fifth position with 41 points, while Mutare’s representatives City Queens were on sixth position with 37 points.
Mutare’s only representatives, City Queens will be looking to finish in a better position this season.
They have already begun preparations under the watchful eye of their youthful mentor, Simba Nenhunzi who expressed confidence in his squad.
The Mutare City Council-owned team has beefed up its squad with five new players.
The youthful gaffer said his charges were geared up for the new season.
“We are working very hard on the field of play. We know that we have big teams that have been in the league for a long time, but that will not move us.
We will work our way out. All we will do is to fight for a better position than last season. The girls are serious and ready for the 2017 season. We also hope to perform well at the Open Tournament in Harare,” he said.
