Chronicle Editor
Allen Khumalo, Sports Reporter
THE Bulawayo Table Tennis Association (BTTA) has selected a 16-member team to represent the province at the 2017 Zimbabwe National Youth Games to be held in Matabeleland North province from August 17-27.
The team is made up of eight girls and eight boys.
All players booked their places in the squad following a competition held at Bulawayo’s Drill Hall last week.
With table tennis being one of the sport codes to make a maiden appearance in the National Youth Games this year, BTTA chairperson Luba Ndlovu said they expect to begin on a positive footing.
“This is one of the disciplines which were included this year in the National Youth Games and as a province we want nothing more than to do our best and bring medals in all categories. We selected the best athletes during the provincial competition and I have faith they will bring good results. They have started training at Bulawayo Polytechnic and Drill Hall. So far we are happy with what is happening in terms of preparations,” said Ndlovu.
He called upon schools and tertiary institutions to introduce table tennis as that will help develop the sport in the country.
“This has been our main challenge because we don’t have a strong base at grassroots level where children are exposed to the sport unlike other disciplines.
Only a few schools in Bulawayo play table tennis but we hope next year more schools will introduce the sport code,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo Athletics Board (BAB), will be conducting a National Youth Games assessment programme at White City Stadium tomorrow.
BAB chairperson Manuel Mpofu said the programme is done in order to give all potential athletes in the city a chance to represent the province at the national games.
Provincial table
tennis squad
Pauline Dube (Bulawayo Polytechnic), Princess Ncube (Bulawayo Polytechnic), Audrey Ruzvidzo (Nust), Thembeka Khumalo (UCE), Godknows Nkomo (Milton High), Killieden Sithole (Nust), Robert Sachikonye (MSU), Delain Sibanda (Bulawayo Polytechnic), Augustine Mpofu (Milton High), Mordecai Musinahama (Eastview High), Nickolae Jubane (Milton High), Blessing Sibanda (Josiah Chinamano Primary), Luyanda Sibanda (Sikhulile High), Oletta Mlotshwa (Emakhandeni Secondary), Kudakwashe Muzondo (Eastview High), Khaadya Kassim (Eastview High).
Under-18 coaches: Richard Gwavava, Christopher Wilson, Nokuthula Masukume (manager).
Under-23 coaches: Trymore Ncube, Christopher Crocco, Luba Ndlovu (manager).
— @khumzallen
Online Reporter