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Geophrey Sifani, Sports Reporter
THE Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) says the national Under-20 men and women’s teams will travel in two groups to the African Junior Championships scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia, from March 18-28.

HAZ president Humphrey Chigwedere said the first group will travel by road on March 15, with the second flying to Windhoek the following day.

Chigwedere said the two squads were finalising preparations for the continental tournament and were ready to fly the country’s flag with pride.

“We have already unveiled the final squads and are satisfied with their preparations so far. The competition is going to be tough, but we believe we picked dedicated individuals with the capacity to land us top spots in both the men and women’s events,” said Chigwedere.

Zimbabwe’s participation at the Junior African Championships had been in doubt after HAZ failed to raise the required $50,000 for the two squads to travel to Namibia.

The association appealed to parents to chip in and the situation was saved when they committed to footing travel fares to Namibia by road and air. The men’s team also got a helping hand from Simbisa Brands in the form of kit sponsorship.

The African Junior Championships will also double up as qualifiers for the 2016 Junior World Cups to be held in Chile (men) and India (women) in December.

Winners and the runners-up at the Windhoek tournament in both the men and women’s events will automatically qualify for the World Cup, joining 14 other teams from Europe (6), Asia (4), Oceania (2) and Pan America (2).

Under-20 squads
Men: Moses Kapanga, Esau Mufandaedza, Gift Chamunorwa, Raymond Healy, Takunda Chipuma, Forbes Motsi, Johnson Mhlanga, Tafadzwa Zimuto, Batsirai Ncube, Tafadzwa Mugore, Philip Machaya, Alex Makuvise, Simba Mudzova, Misheck Zvizhinji, Tafara Simon, Dominic Ashely, Nevil Gora, Graydon Thornton

Women: Cherly Dzapasi, Michelle Kabaira, Stephanie Campbell, Simone Marchussen, Carla Van Oudtshoorn, Kelly Diplock, Aimee Nativel, Jessica Dollar, Tyla Groenwald, Erin Gray, Tinyayeishe Elijah, Megan Shaxon