Online Reporter
Ellina Mhlanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ACTING Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Kazembe Kazembe has urged members of Team Zimbabwe to raise the bar at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games and embrace the opportunities that come with the jamboree.
Zimbabwe are sending a delegation of 277 including 197 athletes for the rescheduled 2024 edition that gets underway this Friday in Windhoek, Namibia. The Games are running until July 13.
This Games programme will see athletes participating in 12 sport codes — athletics, basketball, boxing, football, judo, karate, netball, swimming, table tennis, tennis, e-sports and volleyball. Zimbabwe are fielding athletes in 11 sport codes, excluding basketball.
The biggest chunk for Team Zimbabwe is from athletics, which includes visually impaired and Special Olympics athletes.
Speaking at a function to both unveil and give a huge send-off to the young athletes, Kazembe, who was the guest of honour challenged the athletes to embrace the opportunity and rise to the occasion.
“As you embark on this journey, remember that you are part of a greater purpose. You carry with you the dreams of our nation, a legacy of excellence, and the vibrant spirit of unity that defines us.
“Each time you step onto the field or court, you represent your families, your communities, and your country. Compete fiercely, but also embody sportsmanship and friendship.
“This is an opportunity to showcase not only your skills but also our cultural values of Ubuntu that we hold dear as Zimbabweans.
“The African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games presents a unique platform for cultural exchange and fellowship among youth from various entities.
“Embrace this opportunity to make friends, learn from others, and celebrate the diversity that enriches our region and continent at large,” said Kazembe.
The biennial event features athletes from the region’s 10 member countries — Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kazembe said the country’s participation is an expression of Government’s commitment to sport, youth development and regional integration.
The send-off event saw the acting Sports Minister handing over the national flag to the team and also presented them with the kit for the Games. Team Zimbabwe will also participate in cultural activities during the Games.
Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture deputy Minister Emily Jesaya added her voice and expressed confidence in the team.
“Your dedication, commitment, and hard work have brought you to this point, and I have no doubt that you will carry the hopes and dreams of our nation with pride as you compete.
“This is an opportunity to demonstrate our values of sportsmanship, resilience and friendship.
“Each of you is a role model for younger aspiring athletes back home, and your participation in these Games will inspire the next generation,” said Jesaya. At the 2022 Games in Malawi, Zimbabwe finished fourth with 84 medals — 12 gold, 24 silver and 48 bronze.
As they head into the upcoming Games, Team Zimbabwe’s deputy chef de mission Precious Shonhayi, said they are hoping for more gold medals.
“We are looking at 20-plus gold medals because we want to turn our silver we got in Malawi into gold and our bronze into silver.
“I would like to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for providing an enabling environment and for the unwavering support that made it possible for us to be here today.
“We deeply appreciate the dedication to empowering young athletes and showcasing Zimbabwe’s talent on the regional stage,” said Shonhayi.
The team will travel in batches depending on their competition schedules for the respective sport codes. The first batch, including football, volleyball and karate teams left for Namibia yesterday.
Athletics provide a big chunk of the team, which includes those visually impaired and Special Olympics.
During the send-off, the athletes also got a chance to mingle and interact with the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture permanent secretary Nicholas Moyo, directors from the Sports Ministry, Sports and Recreation Commission director-general Eltah Nengomasha, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee chief executive Marlene Gadzirayi, her ZIFA counterpart Yvone Manwa and the football association’s president Nqobile Magwizi, other officials and some parents.
Team Zimbabwe:
Athletics: Tawananyasha Chimunya, Arab Chimuchembere, Takomborerwa Muza, Prosper Zibango,
Panashe Mutenure, Dylane Chamakwara, Gift Khumalo, Takunda Mutizwa, Anotidaishe Masere, Nenyasha Chihora, Leeroy Chishaya, Cryson Kunorubwe, Ropafadzo Muzondo, Watip Mandishona, Shelton Ncube, Phakamile Ndlovu, Jackson Nyamazana, Tatenda Chindowa, Hayley Chingono, Beverly Mutasa, Shalom Sendi, Anesu Nyahuma, Varaidzo Shoko, Tulange Mudenda, Ruvimbo Sibanda, Martha Chipuriro, Panashe Gomo, Elsie Gutsa,
Ratidzo Mutepfe, Sharon Bare, Kimberly Kachambwa,
Tinashe Run’anga, Alacia Machekera, Rejoice Dhlodhlo, Thelma Murando, Lethubuhle Sibanda
Officials:
Briad Nhubu, Tumba Mavhuto, MacGregor Mahuwa,
Neria Tembo, Marian Dube
Special Olympics:
Tadiwanashe Ndoro, Ryan Chigwedere, Spelogy Kachembere, Makanaka Kayiyo, Ashley Mudzukira, Tawanyasha Mlanda
Officials:
Owen Makaruwa, Cheryl Hove, Paul Garwi
Visually Impaired:
Ashley Sibanda, Ntandoyenkosi Mpofu, Knowledge Bati, Nyasha Matsungo, Faith Zevi, Keneiloe Munjoma,
Thembelihle Nkomo, Vimbainashe Green, Methuli Ncube, Buyisile Ndimande Rutendo Zhou, Delight Musamba, Dineo Musaka, Silent Mujaji, Pretty Chikwanda
Officials (Coaches):
Mildred Baye, Arthur Chavhunduka, Vimbai Zvinowanda, Tawanda Chipwanya
Boxing:
Sean Pambeni, Mqheli Moyo, Crein Moyo, Bright Moyo, Julaykah Bakalazi, Benhilda Moyo, Gweneth Nare
Officials:
Steven Masiyambumbi, Mphilis Moyo, Hildah Kaye
E-sport
Anoziva Chemvura, Deardays Dumbu, Shaloam Boroma, Judith Makina
Officials:
Natalie Dambarwe, Thompsom Sukali
Football Women:
Coltilda Chirinda, Tanyaradzwa Nyakuchena, Shantel Mugute, Hazel Kanyuru, Rosemary Mkandhla, Priviledge Mashanda, Ivy Nyamucherera, Gladys Giwa, Faliosa Neya,
Perpetual Chisuro, Passion Chihwena, Alicia Chinyoka,
Genti Merian, Blessing Mberende, Polite Mabvengwa,
Antonio Njere, Chiedza Khumalo, Plaxina Bandason,
Ntokozo Mpofu, Judith Mudzengerere
Officials:
Choice Dambudza, Langton Giwa, Lindiwe Ndlovu
Football Men:
Siyanda Zimba, Victor Nyemba, Michael Mvindi, Gari Chibika, Jabson Mudeshe, Gainmore Magadzire, Ngonidzashe Chingoka, Cleopas Chiwovo, Carlson Shoniwa,
Takunda Nyamheto, Valentine Macheka, Awakhiwe Tshalibe, Tariso Muzvowa, Tatenda Maulidi, Jerome Muli,
Tadiwa Chakuchichi, Allan Milazi, Alfred Matonsi, Takudzwa Darkeni, El Shaddai Sadomba
Officials:
Khonzani Ncube, Thulani Sibanda, Taruvinga Norman
Judo:
John Mutsito, Zack Smith, Panashe Pfigu, Taanashe Chidamoyo, Mahlah Mavhunga, Charmaine Mumbiro
Officials:
Lazarus Arufandika, Tapiwa Pavari, Janine Kayaya
Karate:
Trinity Kotsi, Tawanda Kotsi, Lovemore Matume, Maxine Kulapi, Bradley Kadzombe, Anita Machuma, Geraldine Muusha, Bongeka Mguni
Officials:
Victor Bunu, Winston Nyanhete, Monica Peters, Hazel Chirima
Netball:
Precious Sibanda, Nomalanga Koto, Yvette Tsaukai,
Selmor Charindeguta, Nyaradzai Muzvondiwa, Audrey Chitesa, Faith Manyani, Ashley James, Ruvimbo Pawandiwa, Rutendo Kapfunde, Sharon Mugwara, Nomselo Ncube Anna Tenisi
Officials (Coaches):
Seyehlukile Sithole, Stembile Banda, Faith Matanganyidze
Swimming:
Mikayla Makwabarara, Anje Van As, Matida Musere,
Tori Dawe, Susie Worsfold, Vhenekai Dhemba, Alexis Johnsen, Elieicia Chivandire, Neema Bhulabahi, Olivia Accorsi, Tanatswa Chandiwana, Kristin Jones, Jayden De Swart, Tichatonga Makaya, Khaya Vimba, Bjorn Mhlanga,
Kyle Heyns, Watson Teek, Tawanda Jani, Ashley Berejena, Emmanuel Sibanda, Ethan Kruger, Nsikelelo Sibanda, Musawakhe Ncube
Officials (Coaches):
Valerie Musere, Nyasha Chipo Mandizha, Masi Takaedza, Ali Ricardo
Volleyball Girls:
Samantha Dzamonda, Otilia Chandinofira, Bellaries Kasima, Belinda Manuel, Nicole Mugwagwa, Yvanna Dauramanzi, Anna Marowa, Courage Shiri, Nokutenda Purazini, Sharmaine Musundire, Chenai Kanoyangwa, Chantel Zulu
Officials (Coaches):
Kudzai Muzondo, Patricia River, Nyashadzaishe Takawira
Volleyball Boys:
Lovelage Sango, Kelvin Vumbunu, Lordlove Chinyemba, Shawn Chiwanga, Sean Chiteni, Alpha Zenda, Tafadzwa Matibhini, Godfrey Kaseke, Tanatswa Kwenda, Alfred Mungate, Ottis Mukudzavhu, Marshal Nyaude
Officials (Coaches):
Daniel Ruka, Kudzai Bayakidza, Makuyana Chekuda
Tennis:
Takura Muhwandagara, Ronan Mtisi, Blessing Nhokwara, Tatenda Chivengah, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Sasha Chimedza, Tanyaradzwa Midzi, Kudzai Chapepa
Officials (Coaches):
Athnie Chifamba, Farai Tapfuma, Miracle Matanga
Table Tennis:
Carrington Neruomba, Shalom Makoni, Professor Mwatsika, Tatenda Timire, Naama Boterere,
Ruvarashe Charuma
Officials (Coaches):
Fungai Zinatsa Tanhara, Brian Chamboko
