adminFrom Lovemore Dube in Rundu, Namibia
THE Zimbabwe team for this year’s Confederation of Schools Sports of Southern Africa ball games was set to reach Windhoek at midnight last night after a tortuous and gruelling 1 800km drive.
Cynthia Khumalo, the National Association of Primary School Heads boss who is accompanying the team, said a number of problems had been encountered leading to the team taking almost 40 hours to reach their destination.
The team opted to travel via Zambia because Botswana no longer accepts emergency travel documents.
A number of the athletes in the team could not acquire passports in time because of the harmonised elections and the Heroes Day holidays, leaving organisers with no option but to travel via Lusaka.
The team left Bulawayo on Tuesday at 10am and was unable to reach the Seshenge Border Post on the Zambian end on time. This forced the team to spend eight hours at the border where they took a stroll to the mighty Zambezi River where it’s almost a kilometre in width of shallow waters.
They resumed travelling yesterday morning after a three-hour delay on both borders. By 4pm they had driven through a number of national parks and the desert towards Windhoek, the Namibian capital, where the games start today.
At 4pm they were at Rundu with 717km left before reaching their destination, the University of Namibia.
“We had some challenges here and there. We could not make it to Seshenge and Katima Mulilo Border Post on the Namibian end. The morale remains high in the team and we hope to do well,” said Khumalo.
The Zimbabweans are travelling in two buses with one for secondary school pupils and they will compete in basketball, soccer, netball and volleyball.
“This represents the cream of Zimbabwean sport. These will be the basis of future national teams, no doubt about that,” declared Khumalo, of the 100-member athlete strong Zimbabwe team.
The vice-president of Nash, Arthur Maphosa, has advised schools to encourage their promising athletes to get passports as national team call-ups could come when least expected.
The competition runs from today up to Sunday and has attracted a number of countries who include South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the hosts.
Teams
Nash Under-17
Netball
Coach: Simbarashe Mlambo
Team: Patricia Mulaudi, Ropafadzo Muhwira, Mercy Mukwach, Sharon Bwanali, Karen Chinoyo (Pamushana), Dumoluhle Ncube (Mawabeni), Nyaradzo Matambanadzo, Fiona Mpanduka (Nemakonde), Surprise Zhokinyi, Maria Mubaiwa(Mwenezi), Kudzai Chidemo, Mavis Kitambara (St Magret), Adelaide Chiwanda, Gloria Bota (Highfied 1) Samora Magaya Patronela Nyamuka, Abigail Chinyama (Chifamba).
Girls Soccer
Coach: Rimayi Evelyn
Fungai Biekwa, Greater Bhande, Barbara Manyanga, Primrose Mavhezha, Chipo Chikohora, Belinda Mushanyuki, Chipo Marondera, Sibotshisiwe Chifoshoro, Mitchell Mutasa, Prudence Zurumba, Sesedzai Mutema, Shalimar Mavuta, Amhelang, Felistas Muchekenya, Petronela Mariba.
Volleyball boys
Coach: Stanslous Muguto
Maponga Ashley, Wesley Mufisire, Delan Kazembe, Kudakwashe kondo, Jonathan Mhandu, Tawanda Marodza, Mzingaye Hove, Mathew Msanyada, Kudzeremba Masimba, Blessing Mlambo, Kudzayi Chibwe, Frank Nyaguwa
Basketball boys
Coach: Simon Lawson
Victor Bingura, Hilton Karangwa, Larry Takura, Tinotenda Chiraru, Brian Murengwa, tendakai Mangeche.
Basketball girls
Coach: Pretty Tinaro
Naph Under-13
Volleyball girls
Coach: Misheck Nyamupingidza
Beauty Ndige, Michel Muringweni, Hazel Mugabe, Dephine Musingu, Tafirenyika Madzvita, Tafadzwa Nyakataba, Panashe Tandara, Constance Muchemedze, Ivy Mukandiwona.
Volleyball boys
Vision Mthethwa, Talent Mabhena, Immanuel Sawunyama, Francis Mandembi, Bornface Machekwa, Prosper Kalenjeka, Denzel Zibvu, Tashinga Kawungo, Gamushirai Mahadzva, Consistance Makumidze.
Netball
Coach: Gloria Makombe
Neliwe mapunya, Mabunda Lovendel, Florence Ali, Pretty Chingombe, Gashirai Gambiza, Karasu Libasane, Sibongile Nyika, Nendeka Gamuchirai, Diaphine Hora, Takaruza Lavenda, Vonai Tayi
Soccer Under-14
Coach: Paddington Mukwata
Bright Mkananzi, Emmanuel Njesera, Machinda Tatenda Munyaradzi Magusto, Hama Mureya, Leonard Dliwayo, Dylan Chandiko, Dylan Dhliwayo,Tafadzwa Dhliwayo, James Chuma, Stephen Jason, Ishamel Nyanhi, Herbet Manyire, Peter Chingozhoro, Rodwell Manhungo, Nigel Katawa, Vareta Takunda
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