Handball U18 team eyes top 10 finish

The Handball Fiji women’s youth under 18 team are in their final phase of preparation for the International Handball Federation (IHF) Championship in Romania.

The tournament will be held on July 29 - August 9.

Head coach Emori Bakewa said the 22-member squad has been training for five days on a weekly basis.

“We’ve upgrading our skills and fitness at the University of the South Pacific (USP) courts,” Rabakewa said.

“We’re aiming for a spot in the top ninth to 12 at the tournament.”

He added it has been a challenge for the team to secure courts for training.

“The courts we’re using is basketball size, but the handball court is much bigger than that,” Bakewa said.

“Vodafone Arena is the best court, but it’s always been booked most of the time so it’s hard for us to have training and game time there.”

Fiji is Group A alongside Croatia, France and Egypt.

“The girls are ready and we’re looking forward to playing big teams from other countries,” Bakewa said.

“We approached some of the players after the Fiji athletics finals and other sports such as netball, volleyball including basketball.”

He added that Handball is a sport that combines the skills and playing style of other sports.

Bakewa will name his final 16-member team on June 22.