Shingi Matibiri, Sports Reporter
The Rainbow Amateur Netball League (RANL) has defied attempts by the Zimbabwe Netball Association (ZINA) to stop them from hosting their Dry Run Tournament on Saturday.
The Zimbabwe Netball Association wrote to the Rainbow Amateur Netball League barring them from hosting the tournament but RANL shot back saying the mother body has no jurisdiction to stop them as they refused to recognise them.
RANL spokesperson Moses Gukurume said it was ironic that ZINA disowned them as an entity, refused to register them but now wants to stop them from holding their tournament.
“We will do what we have been doing over the years, that is to go ahead with our programs because ZINA have been showing double standards in dealing with us,” Gukurume said.
“We applied for registration on numerous occasions, took our matter to the Sports and Recreation Commission but nothing came out.
“We hope that ZINA will come to their senses and let us be and allow us to operate without their double standards. After all we have the right of gathering and association as enshrined in our country’s constitution.”
“We are looking forward to an exciting day of netball on Saturday. We are going to observe all the health protocols as prescribed by our government in combating the spread of Covid-19.”
The tournament is going to be held at the Morris Depot courts with 13 teams having confirmed participation so far.
The winners of the tournament will receive US$ 1350, the first runners up US$ 1100 with the second runners getting US$ 750.
The team that finishes fourth gets $450 and the teams that finishes from fifth position to the thirteenth position will get US$100 each.
The most disciplined team will receive US$300. There are also individual prizes for the golden hand, best coach, best umpire, rookie of the tournament and the most valuable player. Each will get US$50.
