Byo schools fail to access equipment

Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
RED tape has denied Bulawayo schools and football teams the right to enjoy Bulawayo’s privilegeof hosting the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games.

Schools are still being denied access to equipment especially in athletics, which is the flagship sporting event for schools during this term.

Some Bulawayo football teams have been told that they can use the Luveve Stadium pitch for friendly matches but cannot access the ablution facilities as they have not yet been handed over to the municipality. It is not yet clear who between the local organising committee and the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture should start the process of handing over.

Last month, AUSC Region 5 general manager Stanley Mutoya said that the responsibility of handing over the facilities and equipment lies with the local organising committee which is led by Khonzani Ncube.

Schools, who were expecting to use the latest technology that includes wind measures and photo finish equipment among others during their athletics competitions, had to resort back to their archaic methods.

Secondary schools under Reigate District this week held their inter-schools athletics competitions at White City Stadium but they were not given the equipment while some ablution facilities were locked.

“Where is the benefit of being the host city then? These Games ended in December but we are still being told stories. Our kids are looking forward to enjoying part of the legacy but it looks like that wont happen,” said a fuming senior teacher who refused to be named.

Efforts to get a comment from the City’s Director of Housing and Community Services Isaiah Magagula drew a blank as he was said to be on leave while his deputy was also out due to illness.

Local organising committee chairperson Ncube is on record saying such issues should be tackled by Minister Andrew Langa who also has not been reachable on his mobile.

Meanwhile, Luveve High School were yesterday afternoon on course to clinching first position in the Reigate inter-schools athletics competition. The school, whose sports director as well known referee Philani Ncube, had by yesterday afternoon amassed 16 gold, five silver and eight bronze medals, followed by Cowdray Park who had 10 gold, six silver and 12 bronze medals.

On third place was Northlea High who had eight gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals.

Eatc College and Sobukhazi High were last and second last respectively out of the eight schools.

The meet was held over two days from Thursday to yesterday.

This year’s edition of the competition had three new races which are the 10,000metres for the boys 20 and Under as well as 17 and Under, 4x200m race all age groups, boys and girls as well the hammer for both boys and girls in the 17 and Under and 20 and Under age groups.

In the 20 and Under 10,000metres, Cowdray Park’s Bonani Moyo was the inaugural race winner in a time of 37minutes.41 seconds, followed by Emakhandeni Secondary’s Ngqabutho Moyo who clocked 38minutes.57 seconds while St Columbus High’s Themba Mhlanga crossed the finish line in 40minutes 04 seconds.

It turned out to be a clean sweep in the new race for Cowdray Park as Ronwell Chiwatama came first in the 17 and Under boys with a time of 38minutes 57seconds. On second place was Mzilikazi High’s Trust Nzarambi in a time of 39 minutes, 33 seconds. Tafadzwa Zhou of Northlea High settled for bronze in 40 minutes, 09seconds.

Allet Ncube of Cowdray Park came first in the 17 and Under hammer field event with a throw of 13.17metres, followed by Entumbane High’s Kudzai Manomano who threw 9m. On third place was Makhanani Matengwana of Cowdray Park whose throw was 8.35 metres.

 

Some of the Day One results

Boys’ 17 and Under 10,000m

1.Ronwell Chiwatama (Cowdray Park,38min, 57sec), 2.Trust Nzarambi (Mzilikazi High,39 min, 33 sec), 3. Tafadzwa Zhou (Northlea High, 40 min, 09sec).

Boys’ 20 and Under 10,000m

1. Bonani Moyo (Cowdray Park,37min.41 sec), 2. Ngqabutho Moyo ( Emakhandeni Secondary, 38min.57 sec), 3.Themba Mhlanga (St Columbus High, 40min,04 sec).

Girls 17 and Under hammer throw

1.Allet Ncube ( 13.17m), 2.Kudzai Manomano ( 9m), 3. Makhanani Matengwana ( 8.35 m).

Girls 20 and Under

1.Ntandokamdali Sibindi (Luveve High,10.15m)

Boys 17 and Under

Jairos Nyahanana (Cowdray Park,19.21m), 2.Dellen Sibanda (Sobukhazi High,17.26m), 3. Mclee Siziba (Cowdray Park,16.29m)

Boys 20 and Under

1.Junior Mhlanga (Luveve High,28.18m), 2.Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu (Entumbane High,14.07m), Nqobani Lintini (Entumbane High, 13.70m)

Under 15 boys’ 3,000m

1.Fiona Sibanda (Emakhandeni Secondary, 12min.33sec), 2.Thandeka Maphosa (Cowdray Park, 12min.34sec), Precious Jese (Luveve High, 13min.13sec)

Girls 20 and Under 5,000m

1.Rejoice Nkomo (Northlea, 22min.26sec), 2.Phumuzile Nkomo (Entumbane High,22min.45sec), Chiedza Gotora (Sobukhazi High, 24min.08sec).

Girls’ 17 and Under

1.Sivelisiwe Ndlovu (Luveve High, 20min.51sec), 2.Christabel Nyathi (Luveve High, 21min.02sec), 3.Hellena Mawarire (Northlea High,21min,15sec)

Under 15 boys 4x200m

1.Northlea High School (01min. 51.59sec), 2. St Coulumbus High School (01min.57.84sec), 3. Cowdray Park (01min.57.89sec)

Under 15 girls

1.Cowdray Park (01min.59.65sec), 2. Northlea High School (01min.59.13sec), 3. Luveve High School (01min, 61.30sec)

Boys’ 17 and Under

1.Entumbane High School ( 01min,40sec), 2. Northlea High School (01min,41sec), 3. Luveve High (01min,42sec)

Girls 20 and Under

1.Luveve High School (02min,07sec), 2. Mzilikazi High School (02min,08sec), St Coulumbus High (02min, 12sec)

Boys’ 20 and Under

1.Luveve High School (01min,37.43sec), 2.Northlea High School (01min,38.03sec), 3.Mzilikazi High School (01min,41.78sec).