Bukhosi Mangena, Sports Correspondent
THE Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (Haz) has named the final 18 member men and ladies’ teams that are going to take part in next month’s Junior Africa Championships scheduled for Windhoek, Namibia.
The Championships will be held from March 18 to 28.
Early this month Haz named 22 member preliminary squads for both teams and the squad has since been trimmed to the final 18.
However, the team preparations have been a turbulent roller coaster ride that has seen the association even engaging parents to help with their preparations.
The squad needs at least $50,000 for the tournament and some members of the team have pledged to take care of their own transport fares to and from Namibia.
The men’s team has since been given a lifeline by Simbisa Brands who provided a kit.
Haz vice president Humphrey Chigwedere said he was happy with the progress they were making in their preparations.
“We have unveiled the final teams and I’m happy with the progress we are making despite the many challenges we are facing. I would also like thank the athletes and the parents for their dedication,” said Chigwedere.
The Namibia Championships will also double up as qualifiers for the India and Chile Junior World Cups that will be held in December.
The winners and runners up of the Windhoek men’s Championships will automatically qualify for the World Cup and join 14 other teams, six from Europe, four from Asia, two teams from Oceania and two from Pan America.
Winners of the ladies championships will also automatically qualify for the World Cup.
Teams
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, Tinayeishe Elijah,Megan