Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
HWANGE and Binga districts dominated the National Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) track and field inter-district competitions which were eventually won by the hosts, Hwange district.
The competitions were hosted at Mosi-oa-Tunya High School on Thursday and Friday with all the seven Matabeleland North districts represented.
The scorching heat did not deter the athletes who showed determination which Matabeleland North provincial vice chair in charge of sports, Gamuledu Ncube, said as organisers, they appreciated as a show of improvement in the level of competition.
Mosi-oa-Tunya grounds were crowded as hundreds of Victoria Falls residents, pupils from surrounding schools and travelling teams of supporters thronged the venue.
Hwange finished in first position with 22 gold medals, 18 silver and 17 bronze, while Binga were close behind with one gold and one silver short and 10 bronze.
Bubi were third with 11 gold medals, 17 silver and 11 bronze and Nkayi with 11 gold, five silver and seven bronze.
Umguza finished with nine gold, seven silver and 10 bronze to settle for fifth position ahead of Lupane which finished with eight gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze and Tsholotsho who had eight gold, seven silver and 18 bronze.
Provincial head-in-charge of athletics Langelihle Maipisi, head of Nkayi High, said the province had managed to select a perfect team for the national finals to be held at Peterhouse, Marondera on March 22 and 23 and will go there to make a grade.
National head in charge of athletics Roland Sibanda who is head for Mosi-oa-Tunya said strict rules will be effected going into finals to avoid cheating and also to ensure welfare of athletes is catered for.
“No athletes will travel at night. From here we expect athletes to be kept in shape so that when they go to national finals there will be no injuries. Their diet should also be athletes’ diet.
“No cheating will be tolerated and if ever there is any cheating, Nash regulations will be invoked as we want to come up with a strong Cossasa teams for the Under 15s and Under 17s and make our president (Arthur Maphosa) who is acting Cossasa president proud,” said Sibanda.
The provincial team will camp for two weeks at a school to be named.
Matabeleland North Provincial Education Director, Jabulani Mpofu who was guest of honour warned athletes and pupils in general against using drugs.
“Let me take this opportunity to tell you learners to be disciplined and desist from using drugs. Drugs have destroyed our country and have no benefits to you as athletes. Let’s give our best and bring results,” he said. – @ncubeleon
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