Plumtree unites through sports

Nhlanhla Mbele

Plumtree town held their second successive Defence Forces Games at the weekend.

In its bid to unify the town, this year’s games featured various disciplines from soccer, pool, darts, volleyball and netball.

Eight clubs which participated on the day include Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Dragons, Mhaka Academy, Wounded Buffalo, Plantive and Plumtree Social Soccer Club.

One of the organisers of Plumtree Defence Forces Games, Bradley Ngoshi, said this year games were a success as they managed to bring people together.

“This was a milestone achievement. Plumtree is a fast growing town with a lot of social classes and the holiday period was long enough to all, as all of them converge and interact with each other through sports.

“The turnout for this year’s event was huge and five times better than the last year’s games due to the involvement of other teams and these games are going to be held annually under the same theme,” said Ngoshi.

Indoor games (pool and darts) which were played on 12 August attracted a total of 62 players and a crowd of more than 200 spectators from 3pm until 11pm.

On 13 August, outdoor games were held with soccer attracting a record breaking attendance of more than 600 supporters in the town with eight teams participating on the gala.

Ngoshi said: “There are going to be more tournaments of this nature and there are also plans to hold the Plumtree half-marathon project which was last held in 2016 under the support from Plumtree business community.”

Mhaka academy came first in the soccer category winning $465, in pool Wounded Buffalo won $250, on darts ZRP came first winning $150, just as they did in netball.