adminFungai Munyoro
BARELY a week after the Young Warriors did the nation proud by securing a berth at the All-Africa Games set for Congo Brazzaville in September this year, the Zimbabwe National Beach Volleyball team did the same when they dispatched Botswana 2-0 in All-Africa Games Qualifiers held in Mozambique.
A total of eight beach volleyball players (four men and four ladies) represented the country in the All-Africa Games qualifiers for Region Five which were held from April 17 to 19 in Mozambique.
The Zimbabwean players competed with players from countries like Botswana, Namibia, the hosts Mozambique, South Africa and Lesotho and it was an open tournament to all SADC region member countries.
It appears the junior development policy has paid off for team Zimbabwe which was made of youngsters. The team that participated comprises of Douglas Rufaro Choto, who represented Zimbabwe two years ago at the World Beach Volleyball Championships in Cyrus, Simba Chidziva was also part of the national Under-23 team which participated at the World Beach Volleyball Championships in Poland in 2013, Keith Machakaire, who is rated as one of the top players in NASH and Ngoni Takawira, who is the juniors’ coach.
The women’s category comprises of University of Zimbabwe Wolves star and Under-19 player Progress Gasa, Tsungi Taderera, who is also a member of the ZUSA team, Viola Muchaona, who is the juniors’ coach and Lydia Mafuta. Mafuta is a long time member of Indoor Volleyball National Team, who was making her debut at Beach Volleyball.
Zimbabwe Volleyball Association first vice-president, Chris Chivinge, hailed the team for their great achievement.
“The purpose of this tour was not to come out number one, but to qualify for the All-Africa Games. What the men and ladies did opens another chapter and as the volleyball family we are so happy with the results and we also hope to come with medals in September.
“I am happy because all these players started off as juniors and represented the nation at various games and now they represent the national senior team,” said Chivinge.
Meanwhile, Mutare Polytechnic men’s volleyball team gold at the just-ended TESA Games held at Kushinga Phikelela in Marondera.
Mutare Poly was in group A together with Bulawayo, Masvingo, Kwekwe and the Zimbabwe Schools of Mines.
Mutare Poly dismissed Bulawayo Poly 2-0 and repeated the same feat with Zimbabwe School of Mines and Masvingo before narrowly edging rivals Kwekwe 2-1 to book a place in the semi-finals.
Group B comprised of Harare, Gweru, Westgate, Masasa, the hosts Kushinga Phikelela and Joshua Mqabuko.
Top two teams from each group progressed to the semi-finals. In Group A, it was Mutare Poly and Zimbabwe School of Mines, while Gweru and Harare represented Group B.
In the last four, Mutare Poly met Harare Poly and triumphed 2-0 to book a place in the final with Zimbabwe School of Mines who overpowered Gweru 2-0.
Mutare Poly went on to beat Zimbabwe School of Mines 3-1 and were crowned the winners of the 2015 TESA Games.
Mutare Poly coach, Hapison Mangezi could not hide his joy.
“I am so happy the guys did us proud. This is our fourth victory and we have worked so hard as a team and also I want to thank the Mutare Poly administration for giving us all the support,” he said.
Online Reporter