UZ shine at inaugural ZUSA tournament

after they amassed 26 medals.
The championships attracted athletes from 10 universities — MSU, Great Zimbabwe University, Bindura University of Science Education, NUST, Chinhoyi University of Technology, Africa University, Women University in Africa, Harare Institute of Technology and Lupane University.
UZ won nine gold medals, 11 silver and six bronze medals. The medals will be carried over to the ZUSA Games in which participants will battle it out in ball and indoor games to be held from April 19 to 22 in Bulawayo
UZ director for sports and recreation, Life Chemhere, said it was good they will get into next month’s Games leading in terms of medals.
“The competition was intense. I think I am seeing other Universities posing a threat to us but we have stand above because of our facilities and we also have a wide pool where we can get a better select base.
“We also have quite a number of our students in residence so they get enough time to be trained. But we really could feel the heat.
“We are getting into the next round at an advantage and our teams have been taking part in different leagues such as the Harare basketball league, volleyball and Harare Athletics Board competitions. We hope we will do very well,” said Chemhere.
Second position went to MSU who had 15 medals — eight gold, four silver and three bronze. They were followed by Great Zimbabwe University on third position who had 22 medals — five gold, seven silver and 10 bronze.
Bindura University and Africa University came fourth and fifth respectively.
On sixth place was Chinhoyi University followed by NUST on seventh place.
Women’s University of Africa and Harare Institute of Technology came eighth and ninth respectively while Lupane University were at the bottom of the table.
Vezokuhle Ndlovu was voted the best male athletes when he won three gold medals in 100m, 400, and 4x100m events.
He went on to scoop a silver medal in the 44x400m relay. In the female category the prize went to Beula Mufambi with three medals two gold medals in the 200m event and javelin. Mufambi had two silver medals and a bronze in the 4x100m relay.
ZUSA president, Liberty Maidza, said a lot of talent was displayed during the Saturday’s event and will continue to make the championships an annual event.
“It’s going to be an annual thing. I think it deserves that status and we would want to use standard venues. Next year we are going to introduce other events such as hurdles and pole volt,” said Maidza.