Girls of gold get 9 cheers

The Herald, August 16, 1980
THE usual three cheers were trebled last night when Zimbabwe’s golden hockey girls were treated to a civic reception by the Salisbury City Council.

Plaques of the city, inscribed with the girls’ names and “Olympic Gold Medal list, 1980” were presented to the team and officials who accompanied them to Moscow. Later they were guests of honour at a banquet.

On top of the honours heaped on them since their return to Zimbabwe, the team is to be given a reception at Government House today where they will meet President and Mrs Banana.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

Three cheers are three successive hurrahs to express appreciation or congratulations extended to winners. When they get 9 cheers it means they got nine sacred cheers.

The end of war meant the removal of legal sanctions imposed on Rhodesia by the UN. It also meant the participation of Zimbabwe in international sport like they did in the Summer Olympics in 1980, in Moscow, the Soviet Union.

According to historical information, the West boycotted the games just because they were being hosted by their Cold War enemy — Russia, and this increased the chance for the Zimbabwe women hockey players to win gold.

Any sport that wins big, brings joy and unifies the nation. We have seen it a number of times with the likes of track and field athlete Elliot Mujaji; swimmer Minister Kirsty Coventry; the netball stars — the Gems, Charles Manyuchi in boxing and, lately in cricket with the likes of Sikandar Raza. Even during soccer’s glorious times, the mood and feeling were the same.