Zimpapers Logo

Ellina Mhlanga, Harare Bureau
MINISTER of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry has pledged her ministry’s support to the senior netball team that will be making its maiden appearance at the World Cup next year in Liverpool, England.

The minister took time to visit the Gems and watched part of their training session yesterday at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College where they are camped ahead of their trip to South Africa for the Diamond Challenge pencilled for November 27 to December 1.

Addressing the players, Coventry applauded them for making it to the global event and wished them the best in their upcoming assignments, with the immediate one being the Diamond Challenge.

“Well I just wanted to come and see you guys…We are just so proud of you guys for qualifying for next year (World Cup), for working as hard as you are right now. You are an inspiration to many young girls. So keep up the hard work and we will be there alongside of you to support you and we are very proud of you guys.

“It’s been really a good thing for Zimbabwe. Hopefully you guys have felt the energy and the excitement a little bit from people,” said Coventry.

Zimbabwe will be among the 16 countries that will battle for the world title next year after they booked their place to the global showpiece at the joint African Championships and World Cup qualifiers held in August, in Zambia.

Speaking on the sidelines of her visit, Coventry said they are looking at coming up with long-term solutions to the challenges that have be haunting the sporting fraternity over the years.

Among the major challenges, has been lack of resources.

“So I think there is whole list of different ideas that we are trying to come up with. I think that’s across the board with some of the federations that we have spoken to, some of the athletes, even the artists.

“It’s not going to be a one size fits all. We are going to have to take a different approach for every situation. But the goal for me is it’s not just coming up with finding a solution now, today. But coming up with a solution that’s going to be long term and it’s going to be sustainable, that I think is more important because our athletes need sustainability.

“A lot of that is going to have to come down to strong strategy planning. It’s going to have to come into having good conversations and working back our trust with the corporate as sport. I think a lot of corporates have lost a little bit of their faith in our sport for many different reasons.

“And now it’s up to us to work hard to re-engage them and gain that trust back. But I think we can. I know we have the talent in order to do it and now it’s just putting it into practice,” said Coventry.

The netball team has continued to defy the odds and make their presence felt in the sport. Some of their achievements include the African Championships title they won in 2015.

“We are aware (of the challenges). We have already had a few meetings with the president of netball and she has given us a full run down of everything and it’s been incredible. There are so many people from private companies, corporates, people overseas that just want to help and are so proud of the team.

“And so hopefully some of those challenges can be alleviated in the next few weeks to months,” said Coventry.

The team’s vice-captain Rudo Karume said they were elated by the Minster’s visit and is hopeful of positive changes in the future.

“We are so happy to have the minister visiting us. This is the first time we have had a minister coming to see us preparing for the Diamond Challenge besides the fact that next year we are going to the World Cup.

“We are hoping her coming here will bring some positives, things will start to flow and we hope we won’t be facing many challenges like before,” said Karume.