Sarpcco Games team trimmed

preparations, as they enter the final phase, by trimming their teams.
The regional police games are slated for the DRC in Lubumbashi and will run from August 15-30.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions after hoisting the trophy in Malawi in 2009.

The technical teams of six disciplines – volleyball men and women, netball, soccer, athletics, chess and darts – are now working with their traveling squads.
A visit to Morris depot where all disciplines are holding their training sessions saw athletes going through their paces vigorously, sweating out.
Athletics manager Takawira Nyamukoho is satisfied with the level of preparations since the start of training camp on June 27.

They started with 67 athletes and now have 30 male and female athletes have made it into the traveling team.
In 2009 in Malawi, athletics scooped a gold medal and Nyamukoho believes he has the squad that can defend the gold medal, as their strength lies in sprints.
Nyamukoho said in their training programme, in sprints they are focusing on speed, starts and athlete’ power while in long distance events focus on speed and endurance.

The throwers shall work on power and technique.
“In the starts for sprinters they have improved generally but there is room for improvement.
“During the 400m and 800m events the trick is to maintain speed with the leading pack before outpacing them in the last 200m,” said Nyamukoho.

He feels that Tanzania and South Africa shall pose major threats but Nyamukoho believes the athletes have the capability and technique to outshine them.
The team manager indicated that Tanzania is strong in track events while South Africa is good in field events.
Nyamukoho added that they need to polish in field category for them to retain the gold medal.

In the final squad that has been selected, they are new additions to those who participated in Malawi.
The manager is satisfied with the performance of the new athletes.
Athletes who are medal hopefuls in sprints are veteran Gale Dube, Innocent Takatumbwa who won silver medal in 2009.

In long distance running, there is Abel Chimukoko, Cephas Pasipamire, Trust Chidomayo, Faith Sanyika, Philipa Chiwore.Collin Jimu and Tapiwa Madzokere are medal hopefuls in the field events.
Meanwhile, the chess team manager Rodrick Janzalimodzi feels the preparations have gone according to plan and the players are eager to put a good show in Lubumbashi.
Janzalimodzi said they have assembled a strong and experienced side for the games.

In Malawi in 2009, the chess team won bronze and this year has set a target of gold medal.
The chess team comprises Adonic Bradley, Shepherd Chimhungu, Trymore Nyevhe and Rugare Muchena with Farai Jamurere as the coach. Nyevhe and Muchena shall be making their debut at the SARPCCO Games.

The team manager feels the reason why they failed to win gold medal in Malawi was because they did not accumulate many points.
“Angola who are the defending champions after scooping gold medal and Malawi are the two main threats.
“We want to thank the management team for affording us a long training camp for six weeks. During that period we had enough time to cover all aspects contained in training programme,” said

Janzalimodzi.
Janzalimodzi added that it’s all about teamwork that shall lead the team to victory. He said the players are at same level and have won the Commissioner Sports Gala events before.
Volleyball team manager for both male and female Hosiah Mukombero said it was tough decision coming up with the final squad.
They are 14 players each and four shall be trimmed on August 8. Mukombero has been impressed with the response of players at training.

He said they are committed, disciplined and work hard for them to achieve their target of gold medal.
In Malawi both female and male teams scooped bronze medals and are oozing with confidence.
Zimbabwe lost to Botswana in Malawi in the semi-finals.

The team manager is happy that the combinations are shaping up, players are getting to understand each other’s type of play and the fitness level is okay.
Mukombero said they are worried with their blocking technique and attack.
Botswana who is the defending champions, South Africa, Lesotho and Namibia, stands in the way for Zimbabwe to win gold medal.

Key players in the women team are two national team players Shamiso Madzudzo and Nomsa Moyo, new recruit Prisca Mutero and captain Venenzia Chiyangwa.
Captain Farai Gumi, blocker Nadius Mhete and national team player Deus Sakala, are the men’ team trump cards.