Mash West eye success

dominated the Games and last year they scooped 18 gold medals, 15 silver medals and as many bronze to defend the title they had won the previous year.
Mashonaland Central will host this year’s edition which will run from tomorrow until August 11 with all the country’s 10 provinces battling for honours in eight sporting disciplines — athletics, soccer, boxing, football, handball, netball, tennis and volleyball.
The games are also being used to select athletes for the Zone VI Youth Games to be held in Zambia in December.
Mashonaland West Sport and Recreation Commission co-ordinator Sherman Mukwena feels his province has done enough to win gold medals and dethrone champions Harare.
“Our preparations have gone a step ahead and players have been responding to the drills well.   
“In the previous edition we lacked experience as compared to Harare Province who had more experienced players, but we have taken a leaf              from them and we are ready to face them.
“The players are mentally and psychologically prepared with their fitness in good condition and they are looking forward to scooping medals.
“There is a lot of talent in our squad which I think is the best the province has ever produced.
“Ever since we started our preparations there has been a great deal of improvement and with all things being equal we will surprise many this time around,” said Mukwena.
This year’s games have clashed with the Census and Mukwena noted that they had suffered a setback as most of their officials are involved in the enumeration exercise that will determine the country’s population.
“Most of our officials are teachers and they are involved in the census programme and it will affect us here and there, but I think we have able replacements.
“It has not been easy for us coming up with the team and logistical arrangements.
“We have been absorbed by the census programme very much, but we have managed to pull through.
“We will participate in all the sporting disciplines available and hope to make an impression in this year’s games,” Mukwena said.
Games chief executive Stan Kasukuwere and his Local Organising Committee have declared the host province ready to celebrate a decade of youth sporting excellency.