Sipho None handball
It will be all systems go when the Gauteng Handball Association (GHA) clubs return to action later this month, and a German team’s tour will boost attempts to set up women’s leagues in South Africa.
GHA, an affiliate of the South African Handball Federaton (SAHF), was formed in 1994 and has a membership of about 100 clubs. The association’s clubs played their last games in September, when they competed in the clubs championship in Port Elizabeth. Desmond Putu, GHA secretary, said: “Our attempt to establish a ladies’ league is in order to groom players and have clubs that will serve as feeder teams for the national side.”
This initiative will be given a major boost by the arrival at the weekend of a German women’s team, TV Aldekerk. The Germans are on a private tour to reciprocate the South African national team’s visit in 1999, when they toured Germany in preparation for the All Africa Games.
SAHF development officer Patrick Sithole said: “We want to use TV Aldekerk’s visit as a means to consolidate and develop handball in all the provinces where it is not known.”
The Germans will conduct coaching clinics in Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. GHA will host a tournament on March 7 at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg, with teams from Sebokeng, Kagiso, Dobsonville and Daveyton participating against TV Aldekerk. Putu said the cash-strapped association was hoping for financial assistance from the Department of Sport and Recreation.
SAHF has employed two senior coaches, Yugoslav director of coaching Vlatko Martincevic and men’s national team coach Bosco Nzapa, who will take care of the women’s team. The pair will work with the South African Student Sports Union and the United Schools Sports Association of South Africa to scout for talent.