By MICHAEL MIYOBA
SHE-POLOPOLO Captain Barbra “Bex” Banda has cautioned the 2021 Olympics-bound Copper Queens to remain focused and fit during the Covid-19 pandemic period which has halted sports gatherings all over the world.
Banda, who featured for Spanish Women’s League side EdF Logrono before joining Chinese club Shanghai Shengli in January this year said the Copper Queens have a big task ahead of them hence the need for them to stay focused.
Banda said she isn’t disappointed that the Olympic Games which were scheduled to run from July 24 to August 8 this year, have been pushed to next year.
She said the postponement of the Games to next year gives the Shepolopolo more time to prepare adequately for the tournament.
She said that the team needs to prepare adequately because they will face tough competition at the Tokyo Olympics which will be held from July 23 to August 8 in 2021.
“It’s not that disappointing because looking at the virus, it’s very dangerous as it has killed a lot of people so we can’t say it’s disappointing on the other side it gives us the advantage to have good preparations because we’re going to meet the best teams there so we have to prepare adequately as a team,” she said.
Banda said players need to stay fit by training from home as the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic which has halted sporting events all over the world continues.
The Shepolopolo made history by qualifying for the much anticipated Olympic Games after they were involved in a 4-4 aggregate stalemate in the final qualifying round at the expense of Cameroon.
The Copper Queens advanced to the Summer Olympics on away goals rule after overturning a 3-2 away loss in Yaoundé on March 5 before beating the Lionesses 2-1 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.
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