eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Sabeta
The girl’s U18 hockey team has started preparations for the 2018 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) scheduled for Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6 to 18.
Nine girls, selected by the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), begun training at Arundel School where they will be gauged on their skills as they undergo training sessions to prepare for the international multi-sport event.
Running under the theme “Feel The Future”, the YOG is also known as the III Summer Youth Olympic Games, an event that encompasses international sports, cultural, and educational festival for teenagers that will see the girl’s five-a-side hockey team representing the nation.
The girl’s hockey team won a bronze medal after beating Ghana 2-1 at the 3rd African Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria, last month and also earned a slot as one of three African representatives at the Youth Olympics Games.
Commenting on the training camp, Zimbabwe coach Tendayi Maredza said: “We are looking forward to tough matches at the Olympics Games 2018. This means we have to train hard and I believe the team has what it takes to make an impression.”
“So in terms of practice we have three fitness sessions and three technical sessions per week, the girls will be coming from home to practice and we use Arundel School and Jam Tree,” he said.
“We believe we have selected the best and our players have been training. It is my hope that they will do well at the tournament,” she said.
Maredza’s team is brimming with confidence post their good play in the 3rd African Youth Games in Algiers where they finished with bronze.
“Only three teams were going to qualify from Africa, so we need to make sure we are in the top three.
“I believe the girl gained considerable experience at the event as they had a good experience on the international style of play.
“We have a squad of nine talented girls. They are excited and are looking forward to the Olympics,” Maredza added.
The teenage girls will be looking forward to emulate “Golden Girls” who made history in 1980 by winning the country’s first ever gold medal at the Olympic Games during the 1980 Moscow Games in the then Soviet Union.
Meanwhile, the hockey team will also travel with the Zimbabwe Equestrian Team that collected five medals and attained two slots for the Youth Olympic Games.
Zim Girl’s Hockey Team
Munashe Dangare
Simone Herbst
Natalie Terblanche
Alexei Terblanche Taya
Trivella Lilian Pope
Mercedes Beekes
Kelsey Sithole
Adrienne Burkhout
Gugu Sibanda
Georgie Sampson
