It was a battle of epic proportions as three teams tied for first place at the Nash Inter-Provincial Track and Field Championships at Lomagundi
College last weekend.
The clouds of dust and flying objects that temporarily occupied the usual stillness of the countryside private school were not from kids play as
Zimbabwe’s future generation of professional runners and fielders outdid each other for honours.
The medal count at end of competition was beguiling as Harare, Mashonaland West and Masvingo all finished on a remarkable 21 gold, something though
anticipated from the capital province Harare and the hosting province Mash West but totally unexpected from Masvingo.
The three front-runners had to be separated by a count of the second rung silver medals with Harare finally taking the cake after pooling 19 silver,
six more than Masvingo who then settled for second place. Mash West’s nine silver consoled them with third position.
Masvingo and Mash West also garnered the same number of bronze medals with 10 apiece while Harare collected 14 accolades of that colour.
Team Harare were powered by the exploits of Chengetai Mapaya (triple jump), Christian Kelechi (100m, 200m), Mufaro Mazambani (200m and long jump),
Mazvita Musakwa (100m) and Takunda Kadenga who, astoundingly, took to the 100m starting block for both the boys Under-17 and Under-19.
Masvingo were comprised of athletes from schools such as Kyle College, Victoria High, Mucheke High, Gokomere College and the army-run Masvingo
High School, while Mash West had a team constituted by athletes from hosts Lomagundi, Chinhoyi High School, Mhangura Secondary School and Cornway
College.
The rest of the team positions were taken up by Mashonaland East on fourth place with 11 gold thanks in part to the exploits of athletes from Watershed and Peterhouse boys and girls colleges, Marondera High, Macheke Secondary, Rakodzi High and Hwedza’s Chemhanza.
The most disappointing performance was recorded by Bulawayo Province from whom much was expected but they the only finished sixth behind fifth-placed
Mash Central. Also in the bottom five were Manicaland (seventh), Matabeleland South (eighth) and Mat North (ninth).
The wooden spoon was handed to Midlands, who only amassed three golds and no other medal of any colour.
The multi-faceted event that was the climax of the first term athletics season contained sprints, middle and long distances on the track in addition to high, long and triple jumps as well as shot putt, discuss and javelin throws on the field.