Ray of hope for netball in Lupane
Thembelihle Mhlanga
LUPANE – In Zimbabwe, netball is one sport that has been neglected overtime. Outside school sports, netball playing platforms are hard to come by largely because of the bias towards football. However, a Lupane netball club seeks to go against the tide and ensure the sport gets the attention it deserves.
Lupane Netball Club has already started pulling large crowds and is rivaling football matches in terms of attendances in the Matabeleland North provincial capital.
What started off as a humble youth initiative has now translated to a semi-professional club striving to be in the national netball league.
Speaking to Community Podium after their familiarization tour game at Mabale in Hwange last weekend, Coach, Isaac Magondo said the club has morphed into a professional club that can secure promotion into the national league.
“We are striving to reach the ace level and be considered for national showcases and be in the world netball circle in spite of our background and geography,” said Magondo.
He was quick to point at the lack of funding as a major setback for the ambitious club that is playing a huge role in the inclusion of women in sport. Money is needed to facilitate the travels and camping of the team as well as to acquire essentials such as kits and balls.
“Finance is a big setback for my club. We currently depend on hand collections. We do collections whenever we participate in any competition and that alone is not enough to see us through. We are therefore calling for partners and well-wishers to assist us by way of donations and partnering us to keep this venture going,” said Magondo.
Ms Zanele Gumede, a local businesswoman, who owns Sokhela Lodge is a staunch fan of LNC. She said her love for the game and the club compels her to help out financially.
“This cause is worthy to support because it keeps the girls out of illicit engagements,” she added.
Ms Marylyn Mpande, a villager from Mabale who watched the Saturday netball match said she was excited for a change as she and other ladies have always had no choice but to watch football games.
“I love netball but because it is less common we have always been forced to watch soccer as there are so many soccer games in the area.I am so excited to watch the game I love most today, thanks to the organizers of this game,” said Ms Mpande.
A lady who spoke on condition of anonymity urged the Government to support netball in order to preserve the sport.
“The government has got to rescue this dying sport otherwise people will get the impression that netball does not get enough support just because it is a sport for women,” she said.
Zimbabwe does have a national netball team. However, the sport does not get as much attention as football and has far less facilities in the country.
