adminthe 10th All-Africa Games in Mozambique after such top sprinters like Ngonidzashe Maku-sha were included in Team Zimbabwe for the Games.
Team Zimbabwe chef de mission to the Maputo Games, Custom Kachambwa yesterday announced a squad of 170 members, which will be anchored by a very strong squad of 19 athletes for the event.
As was the case four years ago in Algeria, Zimbabwe have entered for 17 sporting disciplines.
The delegation to Algeria had 120-members and reaped 23 medals but Kachambwa is hoping that Zimbabwe will be placed higher than the eighth position they achieved at the 9th edition of the Games.
Makusha, who recently turned professional is by far the brightest medal prospect from athletics.
The United States-based sprinter and long jumper is expected to join the squad from the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea.
The World Championships are just before the start of the All-Africa Games with veteran Brian Dzingai, Makusha, Gabriel Mvumvure and Thandiwe Nyathi also using the Championships as preparations for the Pan-African Games.
Swimming icon Kirsty Coventry who reaped the highest number of medals in a brilliant individual show for Zimbabwe in Algeria is, once again, expected to harvest more medals from the pool.
Coventry will lead a largely youthful women’s swimming quartet that includes Samantha Welsh, Nicole Horn and Kirsten Lapham.
Teenage swimming sensation James Lawson, who was the star of the Zimbabwe show at the Zone VI Under-20 Games in Swaziland in December last year, has also been included in the team.
Zimbabwe will be represented in athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, chess, cycling, football, judo, karate, netball, sailing, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon and sports for people with disabilities.
Three women sports – basketball with 12 athletes, football (20), and netball (12) provide a combined total of 44 athletes battling for three team medals.
Team Zimbabwe is expected to go into a final preparation camp at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College on August 24 until their proposed departure for Maputo on August 31.
The 10th All-Africa Games will run from September 3 to 18 in Maputo with 48 nations expected to compete.
“The team is going into camp on August 24 at Belvedere College and this will be part of the build-up for a stronger team spirit.
“I think we are going to have motivational speakers coming to talk to the athletes and one of the major incentives for the athletes is that all the expenses during camp will be paid for by the Sports Commission.
“There are also going to be great rewards for the medal winners. History in Zimbabwe has shown that medal winners have been paid handsomely and it’s no exception that they will get some payment,” said Kachambwa.
Kachambwa said the team is expected to leave on a chartered flight as arrangements are being made with the national airline Air Zimbabwe.
“Everything being equal, we should be leaving on August 31 and we are talking to Air Zimbabwe to charter a plane,” said Kachambwa.
The former Hockey Association of Zimbabwe president said they had named their final lists based on the submissions from the various national sports associations.
“From the last Games, Zimbabwe finished in position eight but that was largely due to the medals from Kirsty (Coventry) who has been included in the team again.
“Looking at this team, athletics is looking very good and should be bringing us some medals,” said Kachambwa.
The Mighty Warriors have also been looking in good shape since their training camp in Germany and the Cosafa champions are upbeat about their chances of reaching the semi-finals and brighten their chances of a medal.
“Cycling has been working hard and I also have hope for them.
“There is also sailing whom I think should be improving from the last time,” said Kachambwa.
The sailing team had been to Beira for training and will also be using Lake Chivero before their departure for Maputo.
If the tides are mild on the day of the competitions, the Zimbabwe team will be praying to win a medal of any colour. Kachambwa said Team Zimbabwe could also expect a significant number of medals from sports for people with disabilities.
“Its unfortunate that we have not done much on the sports for people with disabilities.
“In West Africa, they have deliberately gone out to look for the challenged athletes and their medals actually count,” said Kachambwa.
Veteran sprinter Elliot Mujaji has managed to squeeze a slot for what could his last All-Africa Games show while seasoned wheelchair racer Elford Moyo is also hopeful of reaching the finals.
Full Team Zimbabwe list:
Athletics: Men – Ngoni Makusha, Gabriel Mvumvure, Kelvin Pangiso, Brian Dzingai, Francis Zimwara, Nelton Ndebele, Connias Mudzingwa, Tinashe Mutanga, David, Tinago, Abdul Simbili, D. Bhebhe, Lewis Masunda
Athletics : Women – Letiwe Mharakurwa, Namatirai Mavugara, Grace Gimo, Faith Goremusandu, Thandi Nyathi, Irene Ndoreka
Badminton: Ngoni Mhinda, Paul Kapolo
Basketball: Women’s team – Rachel Makoni, Margret Magwaro, Fadzai Mabasa, Charity Chigumba, Isobel Tengende, Dorcas Marondera, Sharon Chamwarura, Ethel Shaba, Sibongile Mkandla, Alex Maseko, Nobunkosi Ndlovu, Geraldine Chibonda
Boxing: Josphat Mufayi, Foster Masiyambumbi, Steven Masiyambumbi
Chess: Robert Gwaze, Rodwell Makoto, Dion Moyo, Spencer Masango
Cycling: Brighton Chipongo, David Martin, Conway Mohamed, Nkulumo Dube, Alfred Tigere
Football Women’s team: Onai Chingawo, Chido Dzingirirai, Manyara Mandara, Rudo Neshamba, Ruvimbo Mutyavaviri, Eunice Chibanda, Nobuhle Magika, Ntobizombwa Sibanda, Rufaro Machingingura, Danai Bhobho, Patience Mujuru, Talent Mandaza, Marjory Nyaumwe, Tsitsi Mairosi, Nokuthula Ndlovu, Violet Bepete, Emmaculate Msipa, Erina Jeke, Kudakwashe, Basopo, Ntombiyelanga Ndlovu
Judo: Bruce Sibanda, Sydney Chibwayi, Simbarashe Mashayi
Karate: Gondo Gondo, Victor Bhunu, David Dube, Winston Nyanhete, Justin Mashiri, Simba Chihlava, Kuda Chihlava,
Netball: Sukokuhle Nkomo, Tarisai Sesa, Daphine Agere, Paida Pedzisayi, Rudo Karume, Caroline Matura, Pauline Jani, Perpetua Siyachitema, Edzai Nkosana, Patience Chinhoyi, Netsai Muchemwa,
Sailing: Kegan Stubs, Laphan Dennis, Ryan Kluckow, Pavlo Hiripis, Patrick MacCosh, Androniki Hiripisi, Andrew Faber, Cameron MacCosh
Swimming: Kirsty Coventry, Nicole Horn, Kirsten Lapham, Samatha Welch, Grant Behan, Tim Ferris, James Lawson, Nicholas Burnett
Table Tennis: Tinashe Chinake, Brian Chamboko, Cythia Marisamhuka, Fungai Mashingaidze, Takudzwa Mudoni
Taekwondo: Mike Sidija, Knowledge Machakati, Langton Chokwenda, Marylin Mangoto
Tennis: Mbonisi Ndimande, Takanyi Garan’anga, Valeria Bhunu, Pauline Chawafambira
Triathlon: Chris Felgate, Brendon Mitchell, Cory O’Riorden, Laurelle Brown, Pamela Fulton
Sports for People with Disabilities: Laina Sithole, Tagarira Nyaradzai, Rodah Bulabula, Brave Pugeni, Peter Chideme, Polite Maradzika, Desire Chivanga, Elliot Mujaji, Clement Nyoni, Kuda Hove, Elford Moyo, Maggie Bangajena
Online Reporter