Zimbabwe’s netball team has been awarded US$11 000 by the government for qualifying for the 2023 Netball World Cup to be held in Cape Town.
The Gems qualified for their second successive Netball World Cup after coming third at the African qualifying tournament in Pretoria last Saturday.
Zimbabwe made their World Cup debut two years ago in Liverpool, England and will be among the 16 nations who will feature in the first netball global showpiece event to be held on African soil.
As a reward for the achievement, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts and Recreation Kirsty Coventry unveiled the cash incentive of US$ 11000 which will be shared amongst the players.
Coventry confirmed the development during a welcome reception hosted by the team’s sponsors SPAR Zimbabwe.
“Today we witness the gains of hard work, resilience and preparation yielding the much-desired result in a team sport proving that with the right ingredients, it can be done. Not just for the Gems but for any other dedicated and committed team. I believe therefore this is the right time for us all to rally behind the Gems, support and ensure optimum participation of the Gems at the World Cup come Cape Town 2023,” said Coventry.
The former swimming world champion applauded retail giants SPAR for their sponsorship of the Gems and encouraged other corporates to get behind the team as they prepare for next year’s World Cup
“It is indeed uplifting to note that there are corporates which still believe in the potential residing in Zimbabwe sport and I would like to take this opportunity to invite other corporates to join Spar Zimbabwe in cushioning the Gems towards and during the 2023 World Cup preparations,” she said.