HARARE - The Zimbabwe junior women beach volleyball team as qualified for the Under-21 FIVB World Beach Volleyball Championship scheduled for Umag, Croatia,in June.

The duo of Mathildah Dube and Charity Chikore recovered from a first round defeat at the hands of hosts Namibia to beat Gabon 2-0 during their junior CAVB (Confederation of African Volleyball) Continental Beach Volleyball Cup classification matches played at DTS Sports Club in Windhoek at the weekend.

According to results from Namibia, Dube and Chikore finished second overall and will now join five other African countries during the junior

World Beach Volleyball Cup in Croatia.

The junior men's team of Simbarashe Kaseke and Trevor Sibanda finished fourth in their matches and will miss the World Championship.

Coach Elliot Mupariwa feels the junior men acquitted themselves well This is the third national team to qualify for the competition following the historic qualification of the Under-19 boys and girls teams during their age-group competition in Congo Brazzaville.

Hosts Namibia, Gabon, Egypt, Burundi and Zimbabwe battled it out for the Under-21 CAVB Continental Beach Volleyball Cup.

Zimbabwe Volleyball Association vice-president (National Teams, Competitions and Administration) Chris Chivinge says the qualification of the team an indication of the growth of beach volleyball as a competitive sport in Zimbabwe.

“We now have three slots at the World Beach Volleyball Cup. This means hard work in terms of preparing the teams in terms of the game as well as logistics inclusive of travel, upkeep and kitting.

“As Zimbabweans bask in the glory of qualification, let us now focus our attention towards mobilizing resources to enable the teams undertake their mission with dignity.”

Chivinge appealed for sponsorship and support from the corporate world and well wishers.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe is scheduled to travel to Mombasa, Kenya, for the Under-23 CAVB Continental Beach Volleyball Cup. The tournament will be held from April 19-21. - CORRESPONDENT