By GWEN CHIPASULA –

DESPITE some financial hurdles in raising money, the Netball Association of Zambia (NAZ) is optimistic that the World Cup-bound national team will compete in all major international assignments lined up this year.
The national team made history by qualifying to the 2015 Netball World Cup finals in Australia and is earmarked to shape up for the global showpiece by participating in two events.
NAZ is expected to send the national team to the Diamond Challenge next month and the Africa Cup in July before heading to Sydney for the World Cup in August.
NAZ general secretary, Pritchard Ngoma said in an interview in Lusaka that the association had not raised anything from its budget but Sports Minister, Vincent Mwale assured them of participating in the tournaments.
Earlier this month, the association was sceptical of sending the national team to various tournaments because of financial constraints.
Ngoma said Mwale issued a statement last week where he gave hope to NAZ that the team would participate.
“The Minister of Sport was positive over our participation in these tournaments. We can not argue that and so we know that Government is in support. So we are confident they will help us and we shall participate,” he said.
Ngoma said there was already some progress as South Africa had booked accommodation for the 12 netballers to take part in the Diamond Challenge on June 15.
He said participating in the Diamond Challenge would help boost the team’s morale ahead of the Sydney 2015 Netball World Championship in August.
The Diamond Challenge will be competed for by World Cup-bound teams in hosts, South Africa, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
National coach, Charles Zulu said he was assessing the 20 players currently in camp for the engagements ahead
Zulu said he would pick two different teams for the Diamond Challenge and the Africa Cup and later on select the final best team for the World Cup.