Zim NetBall Players To Battle Out Sri Lanka Without the Right Sports Shoes
12 July 2019
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By Dorrothy Moyo|Developments in the run up to today’s World Cup first match between Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, saw revelations emerge that the Zimbabwe Netball players have been instructed to purchase their own Asics shoes for the mega tournament.
The gems’ trip to the United Kingdom has been mired in controversy as government apparatchiks abused the funds donated by well-wishers to support the team.
As ZimEye.com aptly reported, over $39,000 was squandered by government officials leaving the players ‘strangled’.
“The food the players are eating is pathetic.
To make matters worse, the girls have as of this week been instructed to buy shoes for the tournament,” said the Liverpool caller.
Well-wishers have pledged to raise money to purchase shoes for the netball players.
Meanwhile, the below is a market description of the shoe type and brand desired by the Zimbabwe Netball team for their World Cup matches.
The Zim Netball Team, known as the Zim Gems have asked to have this brand, the Asics before their match on Friday, the reason being the shoes’ tried and tested agility on the slippery floors such as the below arena’s.
Experts reviews list the Asics as the most affordable among the range of quality shoes for the game.
The below ranking by the respected UK Independent paper, put Asics on number 2 for affordability, and number 2 on quality.
The review reads in part: Asics are a great first pair for someone looking to elevate their footwear to enhance their game. The high sides mean these are very comfortable and supportive, especially on ankles, which can be a player’s weak spot. The gel system is based on a special kind of silicon that enables optimal shock absorption, meaning jumping in these trainers is a breeze. The natural bounciness of the sole helps you to feel light on your feet. The extra-ribbed sole provides essential grip, which results in good performance on slippery outdoor courts as well as indoors.
Yesterday after much pressure, the players were handed a paltry £40 each, a source told ZimEye. They need £79,99 to purchase the right professional shoes.
The caller contacted ZimEye to reveal the plight of the Zim players, and below was the briefer:
On another note, the playrs have been missing their afternoon meals and to this, the Netball President Leticia Chipandu has responded saying, “where we have our lunch or when we have our lunch, that is not your business, or anybody else’s business. I have the interests of my team, I got them to where they are here, so everybody else can go to hell, all I care.” – -ARTICLE CONTINUES-
The netball team’s evening meal last night
Furthermore, some of them are demoralised as they do not have appropriate shoes for playing the match. One source told ZimEye, as they do not have allowances, many they do not have their appropriate Netball sporting shoes.
The team has not been paid their allowances ever since entering the UK and last week and an official audit, document seen by ZimEye show that the money has gone to pay people handpicked by Leticia Chipandu.
Before their last match back home, they protested and were paid 50 bond each to motivate them.
“They can’t even afford the basic netball shoes, the Asics type, which cost just £34,99,” the sources said. (the standard pair of professional shoes cost £79,99.
“Do not be surprised to see them refusing to play on Friday, since the Netball President Leticia Chipandu has refused to pay them,” they added.
The fund for the netball team is down by over $39,000 after Leticia Chipandu added to the delegation, people who have nothing to do with the netball team. When she was interviewed, Chipandu at first promised that allowances would be paid (while at Manchester Airport last week Friday night), but she would later shift to tell donors that anyone who is requesting an account of funds distributed should “go to hell.”
