The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
VOLLEYBALL teams in Manicaland have begun preparations for their first ever participation in the exciting Zim Open Tournament.
Manicaland Volleyball Association (MANVA )chairperson, Hector Kabunu, said preparations have moved a gear up.
“MANVA vice-chairpersons on the ground are doing logistical work to ensure that their clubs participate in the Zim Open Tournament.
“Clubs are training using their club courts which include Sakubva, Nyanga County Club, St Mary’s Magadalene and Dangamvura.
“In Buhera, clubs are training at Murambinda B, Makoni and Pashena. In Chimanimani they are using Hot Springs courts and Chipinge they are using Greenfuel. This will be the first time for Manicaland teams to feature at the Zim Open Tournament,” said Kabunu.
Zim Open is for all clubs, while one team per gender will qualify from the regions for the nation finals to be played in Gweru on July 3.
Any team can register from schools, corporates, community to tertiary institutions.
In Manicaland teams that have expressed interest to participate at the Zim Open Tournament include Hardhitters (Makoni), Old Madhara (Nyanga), Mutare Poly, Mutare Boys’ High, ZRP Mutare, Changadzi and Mt Carmel (Headlands).
Kabunu appealed to corporate partners to exploit marketing mileage which the game offers.
“We are looking forward to corporates that wish to partner MANVA to come on board. We can be their brand ambassadors given that the game of volleyball attracts huge following across the country,” said Kabunu.
Meanwhile, MANVA recently hosted a beach volleyball refereeing and coaching course targeting coaches and referees at Birchnough Bridge.
The course was part of preparations ahead of the Federation for International Volleyball (FIVB) beach volleyball series.
The series are expected to start in August 2021.
Due to the new normal, they were limited to 50 participants.
“We are working hard to abide by the new Covid-19 regulations. Clubs registered include those from communities, schools, tertiary, police and businesses. We were aiming at having MANVA beach tournament on Africa Day, but some athletes were not yet tested.
“We have the same indoor teams and games coming from Mash East, Harare, Matebeleland North, Bulawayo to mention a few. We have seen the first beach volleyball games being played in Harare and Ruwa recently. As Manicaland, we will not be left behind,” said Kabunu.
