Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo
THE country’s primary schools have been given the green light to start playing ball games at cluster levels in preparation for the national finals set for Harare.
The capital city will stage the national finals from July 24-26.
Unlike last year when few ball games were played at the national finals that were held in Bulawayo after host province Matabeleland South withdrew due to lack of facilities and resources, all disciplines will be played for the 2023 edition.
Ball games being played at primary schools from cluster to provincial level are soccer, netball, handball, basketball and volleyball. Save for netball, all other disciplines are competed for by girls and boys.
At last year’s final, girls didn’t play soccer and basketball, only participating in volleyball and netball. The boys competed in soccer and basketball.
Cynthia Khumalo, the National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) president said excitement has gripped primary schools’ learners as well as teachers who are looking forward to a second successive year of the games following resumption of sport after a two-year hiatus caused by Covid-19 in 2022.
“Harare are our hosts for the national Under-14s’ ball games finals whose tentative dates are July 24-26. Harare has the facilities and we will not be facing the challenges we did last year upon resumption of sport after Covid-19 which led to Bulawayo stepping up to host the games.
“As it is, schools have been given permission to start competitions for all the ball games. Last year we had funding challenges which led to a few
disciplines being played, but this time around we are in a better state and learners will compete in all ball games,” said Khumalo.
At last year’s national finals, Manicaland and Mashonaland West shared equally the winners’ medals.
Manicaland took home the netball and basketball trophies while Mashonaland West walked away with the football and volleyball medals.
Manicaland were crowned netball champions after beating Mashonaland West 20-11 in the final. Mashonaland Central got the bronze medal.
Manicaland were also crowned basketball champions after beating Harare 12-6 in the final. Manicaland made their way to the final after beating Mashonaland West in the semis and Harare beat Bulawayo in the other semi-final match.
Mashonaland West were crowned football champions after beating Manicaland 3-2 on penalties after the match ended in a goalless draw. Bulawayo beat Mashonaland East 8-7 on penalties to claim bronze, which was their best position since 2015.
Mashonaland West were crowned volleyball champions after beating Manicaland 2-0. Manicaland province, playing in their first ever final, made it by beating Harare 2-0 in the semi-final.
Mashonaland West produced a clean sweep as they won all the matches they played, defending the title that they won in 2019. — @ZililoR
Online Reporter