Nkosilathi Sibanda
VICTORIA Falls-based netball side Kasambabezi Queens have been crowned champions of the Zambezi Netball Association’s Community League.
This year’s league champions sealed the season riding on high, going for 15 games on the roll, losing only one.
The team’s triumph has ignited excitement as it had come a long way in the waiting.
Kasambabezi Queens led the seven team league since the first games in what put them as deserving champions as the season closed. Bangelo Club were runners-up.
Other teams in the league were Bangelo, Golden Stars, Grace Mission Eagles, Discovery, Shooting Stars, Gwanzura and Corinthians.
The winning team’s coach Mercy Moyo said she was satisfied with the outcome and was full of praises for her players whom she described as a resilient and listening lot.
“As I have said in earlier interviews, it was all about faith. We built a team that started off not as promising but because we believed in ourselves, it had to bear something victorious at the end. I had a team of dedicated players,” said Moyo from her base in Victoria Falls.
Kasambabezi Queens have every reason to smile as they last season had to let slip the fight to settle for second place, with Golden Stars taking the crown.
Now that they are champions, Moyo would want them to keep at that in the coming seasons.
“I always tell my players to play for the top. The encouragement is to aim for the stars and as women we just have to prove we can make it through netball. A champion does not give up their position. This is what we must aim for,” she said.
Already, the season has ended and the league’ executive secretary Moses Nowake has thanked all stakeholders who assisted them in running the league.
He said Kasambabezi will be handed their trophy on a date to be announced.
“All went well and we would like to thank everyone who came on board to support the girls and women of Victoria Falls as they showcased their talent and made sure to spend their time in sports.
“If it was not for the support, we would have successfully launched our games. May the spirit of sportsmanship remain as we continue to champion the cause to empower women through sport,” said Nowake.
The Zambezi Netball Association’s community league technical advisor, Lastane Tshuma said going forward, they would want to improve on certain aspects so that their league turns professional.
“The goal to have the league being a platform that turns our players to be change champions in netball. For that to be done, we need to have role models in the community that will inspire young women to take up netball as a career. In the long run we will be inviting sport experts to come and teach our teams’ administrators, have the coaches and umpires upgraded as well,” he said.
Tshuma said there was a need to teach players life skills and hands-on survival tactics as most of them were still young.
The Zambezi Netball Association league, started in April in an effort to empower the community of Victoria Falls and surrounding areas through sport.
The league is run with the aim of giving young women a chance at excelling in sport.
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