THE Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Yeukai Simbanegavi, has challenged the young athletes to represent the country at this year’s African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games to turn on their best shows.
Botswana capital Gaborone, will be the host city of the Games from December 6 to 16 and Zimbabwe are fielding competitors in athletics, athletics for the visually impaired, football (women), netball, swimming and tennis.
Simbanegavi was speaking at the send-off ceremony for the team at Belvedere Technical Teachers College.
Team Zimbabwe had been expected to leave later after the function but according to the Sport and Recreation Commission, they will now travel today.
“The purpose of these Games is to expose athletes to podium performances by giving them an opportunity to participate in high level competitions like these Games. It is also part of the Games’ goal to foster regional co-operation and exchange of cultures and social cohesion.
“It is in this light that, as Government, we seriously value these Games and hope that the young athletes will use them as a springboard to launch their professional sporting careers.
“It is therefore important that you take this competition seriously and strive by all means to raise our flag very high through outstanding performance,” said Simbanegavi.
Simbanegavi also implored the athletes and officials to be at their best behaviour during the Games.
“You should always strive to do your best but if that fails you should still celebrate that you have done the best that you can under the circumstances. Issues such as cheating and taking performance-enhancing substances should never be tolerated. You must always strive to give your natural best.
“As you compete, remember you will be carrying the national flag thus you are our ambassadors hence unquestionable discipline should be the hallmark of every athlete and official in Team Zimbabwe,” said Simbanegavi.
Zimbabwe have over the years played second fiddle to South Africa and in 2016 they came second behind their southern neighbours with 96 medals.
They had sent a team of over 200 athletes, competing in 10 sporting disciplines including basketball, boxing, gymnastics and judo.
But for this year’s Games, they are sending a smaller contingent of 86 including officials due to financial constraints and will not be fielding athletes in basketball, boxing, gymnastics and judo like in 2016.
The boys football team that won gold in the previous edition will also not be able to defend their title as they are not part of the team.
However, the women’s football team will represent the country hoping for a better performance this time around after they failed to make the finals in the last edition.
Coach Langton Giwa said they are better prepared this time around.
“The players quickly responded to the training programme. We are hoping that if they can maintain that, this year we may come out with something. We are not underrating any team, we are taking each game as it comes and all games are important for us.
“We have to win every game. What is key in such competitions is the first game, if you fail to prepare for it and lose then you will be under pressure. So we are expecting to collect three points in our first game. We would want to top the group to avoid the top team from the other group,” said Giwa.
Giwa will be pinning his hopes on the likes of striker Maudy Mafuruse, who has been with the senior national team, as well as Evermore Mutandwa and goalkeeper Cynthia Shonga.
“Clubs were very co-operative so it’s now left to us the technical team and players to bring results. And this time we had a more time in camp with players, previously we did not have that much time to prepare with all players in one place,” said Giwa.
The Young Mighty Warriors are up against Botswana, Malawi, and Lesotho in Group A.
Defending champions South Africa take on Namibia and Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) in Group B.
Netball coach Ropafadzo Mutsauki was also upbeat about his team’s prospects at the regional Games.
“Right now the team is ready and I am sure we will bring a gold medal. I am expecting good games from the team. When we played some friendlies the team did quite well and we also worked on areas we picked during those games that needed our attention. So I think we will bring results.
“We do not have much experience most of them are still juniors but it’s a strong team,” said Mutsauki.
Team Zimbabwe
Team management
Charity Nyamayedenga (chef de mission), Shadreck Chatunga (general team manager), Masimba Mutemaringa (head protocol), Fungai Zinatsa (head marketing), Kupakwashe Mukurumbira (head administration and secretariat), Tapiwa Nyagumbo (head finance).
Medical
Godfrey Dzvairo (doctor), Samson Chavhe (nurse), Silence Gwanyamwanya (physiotherapist), Olivia Gwaze (physiotherapist), Pauline Tshuma (physiotherapist), Christina Murangadura (physiotherapist).
Athletics Women
Vanessa Matimbe, Dorothy Kavumbura, Vimbai Maisvoreva, Masciline Watama, Nicole Chikosi, Priviledge Chikara, Prissy Mpofu.
Athletics Men
Mukhokheli Sibanda, Norman Mukwada, James Mutenje, Dickson Kapandura, Dennis Gono, Brian Ndlovu.
Athletics Officials
Christine Dube (manager), Lizzie Ntini (coach), Samu Benson (coach).
Athletics Visually Impaired Women
Siphosami Moyo, Norman Nyamadzawo, Libetra Shoko, Moment Bhebhe.
Athletics Visually Impaired Men
Tafadzwa Munyoro, Sangoelihle Ndlovu, Makhosi Ncube.
Athletics Visually Impaired Officials
Mapula Ndlovu (manager), Mildred Baye (coach), Maxwell Madzure (coach).
Football Women
Natasha Chaweka, Tambudzai Machakawaya, Nothando Mthunzi, Hazel Nyamande, Sharon Ncube, Audrey Mandara, Natalie Murove, Loice William, Millanda Chimbwanda, Maudy Mafuruse, Vanessa Mateko, Rujeko Kunze, Evermore Mutandwa, Gracious Mageza, Winnie Chiruta, Beauty Mukara, Cynthia Shonga, Valeria Packry.
Football Officials
Debra Magura (manager), Langton Giwa (coach).
Netball
Claris Kwaramba, Priscilla Ndlovu, Spiwe Chavapo, Lesibane Munjanji, Nicole Muzanemhamo, Brenda Ncube, Michell Muzanenhamo, Michell Rwambiwa, Sinethemba Ncube, Ntando Sibanda, Joyline Ndlovu, Sithabile Manyukire.
Netball Officials
Perpetua Siyachitema (manager), Ropafadzo Mutsauki (coach).
Swimming Women
Paige Van Der Westhuizen, Nomvula Mjimba, Courtney Brown, Nyasha Mukonoweshuro.
Swimming Men
Liam O’hara, Denilson Cyprianos, Dale Bruce, Ayman Khatoun.
Swimming Official
Terrence O’hara (manager/coach).
Tennis Women
Kimberly Kaome, Vimbai Moyo.
Tennis Men
Mehluli Sibanda, Thabo Ncube.
Tennis Official
Linsent Chitiyo (manager/coach).
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