When Mashrhino Sports Academy enters Partille World Cup, they do so with more than just matches in mind. For Stephen Chamangwa, the week in Gothenburg is about something that extends far beyond this year's tournament.
– Partille World Cup is significant for us in many ways. First of all, Sävehof invited Zimbabwe back in 2012 to the then Olympic Development Program. Coaches and players went through a two-week training program that became an eye-opener for international handball trends. We owe our nation's development in handball to that initiative.

The relationship between Zimbabwe and Swedish handball has continued to grow since then. According to Chamangwa, the cooperation has not stopped at isolated visits.
– Sävehof has helped Mashrhino by sending coaches and referee instructors who have improved our technical standards. The cup also opens up partnerships with clubs around the world. The players get the opportunity to meet and interact with others from different cultures, which creates friendships, memories, and social development.

For the Zimbabwean team, Gothenburg is a unique place in the handball world.
– Partille World Cup is special because it is the largest meeting place for youth handball where knowledge and experiences can be shared, says Chamangwa.

And the meeting between people is something that recurs time and again.
– In Gothenburg, our players get to meet so many different countries and cultures that they cannot encounter anywhere else.

Even though the results on the court matter, there are also other goals during the week.
– We are also preparing to compete in and win the big national competition in Zimbabwe. However, the most important thing is the experiences that the players take with them from the court; they last forever.

Swedish youth handball has had a clear impact on how Zimbabwe plays today.
– Swedish youth handball is a well-oiled machine that we draw inspiration from every year. At home, our play is considered above local standards thanks to the Swedish experience, he explains.

But it is not just handball that leaves an impression. The social aspect is just as important.
– Our young players are very open and social. They quickly make contacts and friends; it is incredible to see. Zimbabwe is a country with warm and loving people, and we encounter the same kindness here at Partille World Cup.

On the field, there are also clear role models.

– We particularly appreciate the Danish and Norwegian playing style in attack. And we learn a lot from the European Open, where one gets to see a more professional and well-organized handball.

However, perhaps the strongest memory from the tournament is not technical.

– The players get to experience a lifelong experience together with other cultures. They themselves say they gain a new perspective on life that cannot be learned from books. We have had players who have continued to keep in touch and even met their Swedish friends again after the tournament. Some have even become emotional at the farewell.

When Stephen Chamangwa reflects on Partille World Cup, it is the whole experience that remains.

– After about a month following the tournament, it feels like a great memory of joy, both on and off the field. The leadership meetings, the ambassador gatherings, everything surrounding it – it becomes part of a larger experience that stays with you for a long time.

Facts: Partille World Cup Foundation
The conditions for participating in sports are unequal around the world. Where you are born should not prevent you from having life-changing experiences and developing through sports.

Partille World Cup Foundation is a fund where we allocate approximately SEK 2.5 million each year, which is then given to teams from underprivileged countries, allowing them the opportunity to participate on equal terms with other teams.

Partille World Cup is a meeting place for children and youth from around the world, regardless of social or cultural background, where handball is our common denominator.

This article was written in collaboration with Handbollskanalen.