adminNgqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
NYASHADZASHE Takawira, Panashe Chiguta, Media Mafuta and Felistus Chakabvewo were crowned the champions of this year’s first Beach Volleyball tournament.
The tournament was held at Highfields Community Centre in Harare at the weekend.
Takawira and Chiguta won the gold medal in the men’s category while Mafuta and Chabvewo were winners in the women’s.
The two-day tournament attracted 20 teams from around the country with 10 in each section.
In the third place play offs Collin Peters and Kudzai Bakaidza beat the Bulawayo pair of Kudzai Sibangani and Douglas Joto 2-0 to win the bronze medal while in the women’s category, Support Unit Harare pair beat Masakufa High School 2-0 to claim the bronze medal.
Elliot Mupariwa one of the event organisers said that it was a very competitive tournament.
“It was a very competitive and interesting tournament despite the rains. All the games were played while it was raining,” he said.
Mupariwa said the tournament was a good way to start the New Year. “This was a perfect event to begin our season, I think 2015 will be a great year for beach volleyball considering that there are many international competitions lined up.
“We will be holding similar tournaments every month which we will use to choose a team that will represent the country in the All-Africa qualifiers, Beach Volleyball World Championships and Region 5 Beach Volleyball competitions in February,” said Mupariwa.
Beach volleyball is one of the sporting disciplines that is growing fast in the country.
Last year the Zimbabwe Under-19 beach volleyball team won the best team of the year award at the Annual National Sports Awards.
Mupariwa appealed to the corporate world to come forward and support the sport.
“We are appealing to the corporate sector and any well wishers who would like develop beach volleyball by partnering with us to come forward they are always welcome,” he said.
Results
Men’s: Nyashadzashe Takawira and Panashe Chiguta 2-0 Tafadzwa Mawisire and Tafadzwa Mutseta
Women’s: Media Mafata and Felistus Chakabvewo 2-1 Vuyiswa Dlomo and Kudzai Chaveka
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