Dar es Salaam — The Tanzania Amateur Handball Association (Taha) secretary general, Sudi Omary, has said preparations for national handball club championships to be held from January 25 to 31 in Mwanza, are in full gear.

The Taha official said the organisers are now finalising the exercise to refurbish the venues for the event to involve male and female teams.

Teams expected to compete in the championship are Ngome, Ngudu, Dar Stars (men and women) and KMKM (men) and holders Magereza (men) and Ruvu Stars (women).

Omary said winners of the championship will qualify to compete in the African Clubs championships to be held in September in a country to be announced later by the Confederation of African Handball (CAHB).

Sudan's Al-Hilal are the continent's title holders. Runners up in the Mwanza championship will win a berth to represent the country in the home and away Africa Cup of winners, also to be held between May and June next year.

Three top placed finishers will also win an opportunity to compete in the East and Central African Clubs championships scheduled for March either in Burundi or Tanzania. Kenya's Cereals Board are the holders of the regional title for men, while Stom Mikishi of Burundi are for women.

Omary also doubles as secretary of the East and Central African Handball Federation (ECAHF).