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Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
HOCKEY Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) president Grant Campbell is confident the national Under-21 ladies’ hockey team will be honoured as Team of the Year at tonight’s Annual National Sports Awards (Ansa) in Harare.

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) on Wednesday released Ansa finalists ahead of tonight’s ceremony and the hockey team will be vying for honours with the Mighty Warriors and national Under-17 boys’ football team, which won gold at the AUSC Region Five Games in Angola last month.

The hockey team’s coach Trish Davies has also been nominated in the Coach of the Year category against Rachel Davies (rowing) and Ropafadzo Mutsauki (netball).

Campbell said he was confident the hockey team will emerge victorious in their category, although they faced stiff competition.

“We are facing stiff competition, but I have confidence in the team. We did very well by qualifying for the World Cup after a long time, so I think we stand a chance to win. I can’t take away the fact that other teams also did very well, but we are also worthy for the crown. It won’t be easy, but the fact that we are in the top three among some of the best teams in the country means a lot,” said Campbell.

“What makes it more pleasing is that their coach has also been nominated among the Coach of the Year finalists, which I believe is a good sign for us. This shows that the sport is really going forward and I believe this recognition will give us more exposure so we can get financial backing from the corporate world. We just want to thank the SRC and the Ministry of Sport (and Recreation) for putting their confidence in us as ambassadors of Zimbabwe,” he said.

Last year the hockey team qualified for the World Cup in Chile alongside neighbours South Africa after great performances at the Africa Hockey Cup in Windhoek, Namibia. It was the country’s second visit to Chile having been there for the same tournament in 2005.

Their category looks tough as they are up against the Mighty Warriors, who made history by becoming the first local national football team to qualify for the Olympics held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Campbell said Haz would be working with schools to continue promoting the game among pupils in 2017.

“Last year we really did well despite having challenges during the World Cup preparations, but that has given us a sound base to do more in 2017. This year we are looking forward to continuing where we left off as we embark on developing the sport at grassroots level. We are going to engage more primary schools. Some primary schools are already active and others are facing financial and infrastructural constraints,” said Campbell.

— @khumzallen