Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Paul Munyuki
31 October 2007
Harare — Five volleyball teams are expected to represent Zimbabwe at this year's edition of the Zone VI Games set for Malawi in December with the four of them coming from Harare.
The Harare Volleyball Association has provided J.S Harare in both the men's and women's categories, Winstonian Bulldogs (men) and Panthers (women) while the only team from Bulawayo CAAZ are the third men's side. The teams have also taken their preparations seriously and this most likely started with the HVA Super Eight tournament that was won by JS Harare at Churchill Boys High at the weekend.
JS Harare whitewashed HVA league leaders Winstonian Bulldogs 3-0 in the final after they had also dismissed Support Unit 3-0 in one of the semi-finals while the Bulldogs had a better of Trojan Mine whom they beat 3-2. This meant Trojan Mine had to take on Support Unit in the third place play-off and the police side emerged 3-2 winners. For coming first JS Harare received a kit worth about $100 million while the second placed Bulldogs walked away with $15 million in cash and a volleyball while the third and fourth placed teams received $10 million and $8 million respectively.
But it was not the prizes that the teams were more interested in as they have the Zone VI coming in a month's time. JS Harare assistant coach Artwell Gororo said they were taking advantage of the tournament to step up their preparations for the games. Gororo believes they have a strong side that also boasts of a well-gelled defence and a firm attack.
"In general, our side is overally good especially in attack and that is where we managed to get most of our points from and the defence was also fantastic. "Our serve was also consistent and it is also a good thing that we managed to get a tournament that would see especially the sides that are going for the regional games. "We are going to take it from here and we are also hoping to win all the games that we are yet to play this season...I am sure we will be placed better at the end.
"It's not that we do not give a lot of attention to the league games as we have already qualified for the Zone VI but we are treating all the games alike. "This is because we have to have a top three finish at the end of the season if we are to qualify for the (inter provincial) Club Championships," said Gororo. HVA administrator Rose Saidi said they are going to have a number of tournaments so that the players would be in a good condition as this also raises the spirit of the game.
"We are hoping to have more of these (tournament) because not all the weekends have league games," said Saidi.
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