Handball national teams camp for Zone VI tourney
Malawi junior national men’s and women’s teams have been invited to participate at Zone VI Handball tournament scheduled for October 17-23 in Harare, Zimbabwe.
In a letter The Nation has seen, Zimbabwe Handball Federation secretary general Edson Chirowodza has set conditions, including Covid-19 vaccination records, for the travelling Malawi team and delegations from other countries.
Reads part of the letter: “The Zimbabwe Handball Federation has the pleasure to officially invite Zone VI countries to participate in the IHF Trophy for juniors to be held in Harare Zimbabwe from 17-23 October 2022.
“As part of Covid 19 prevention and containment adherence to World Health Organisation guidelines on safe resumption of sport. All, the participating teams are encouraged to have been vaccinated and provide the requisite vaccination certificates to hosts.”
The report also said officials and players will be required to enter into a bio-secure bubble before and during the tour preferably in arranged accommodation.
“The official and players will not receive any visitors at any point in time and will also not exit their bubbles for any reason whatsoever. All members of the delegation are required to produce negative Covid-19 test result within 48 hours prior to departure and submit copies of same to hosts,” further reads the letter.
In an interview on Tuesday, Handball Association of Malawi general secretary Dennis Kumwenda said preparations are underway for the tournament.
He said:“The association has assembled the best handball teams to represent Malawi at the games. The players were identified through regional tournaments which were organised early this year in the Northern, Central, Southern and Eastern regions.
“The players have been training at regional basis and started residential camping in Blantyre from Monday up to Friday.”
Coach Josam Kennie Mphande is in charge of the camp.
Kumwenda said the team will leave this Monday and is expected to return next week Sunday.
He said Malawi National Council of Sports will meet the costs for residential camping and external allowances.
“The International Handball Federation will provide transport, hotel, food and accommodation to the team. Team Malawi comprises 28 players and six officials,” said Kumwenda.
