Chronicle EditorLovemore Dube, [email protected]
BULAWAYO will be abuzz with sporting activity until Tuesday next week, when army units battle in several sporting disciplines.
The games started yesterday with the opening ceremony at White City Stadium.
Thirteen sporting disciplines at White City, United College and a local golf club will have Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) units and formation sides contesting for glory to bring curtains down to a sporting season with unit-level activities before being escalated to North and South Regions.
The top four finishers according to Captain Gladstone Ndiweni of One Brigade, qualified for the national finals that Bulawayo is playing host to, the first games after the Covid-19-induced sports break.
Colonel Ncube of One Brigade was the guest of honour at the colourful opening ceremony in which the Brigades and Units wore their different uniforms leaving White City Stadium looking like a mini Olympic parade of nations.
“This year’s final competitions will span from the 13-19 November 2024. Ladies and gentlemen take note that these competitions are being held to the fulfilment of the Commanders Zimbabwe National Army’s training directorate for the year 2024 and are running under the theme, ‘Enhancing Organisational Cohesion and a Winning Spirit through Sports.’”
Col Ncube said sports competitions serve to enhance the physical fitness of troops and improve proficiency. He commended the participating teams for reaching this far.
“To our participants I would like to say congratulations for making it to the final competitions, your dedication, hard work and team work have earned you a place among the best in the ZNA. I believe these competitions started well from Company level to Unit level to Zonal level where we had the Northern and Southern Region and now we are here having succeeded through those stages to compete in the finals,” he said.
He praised those that had worked tirelessly to ensure the event goes as far as the national finals.
Col Ncube emphasised the importance of unity.
“To our event organisers and supporting staff your tireless efforts have made this event possible. This sporting extravaganza brings together the cream of our military’s athletic talent promoting unity, sportsmanship and excellence. As we compete in these thrilling competitions let’s not forget the values that bind us in soldiering that is discipline, comradeship and resilience.
I urge all officers, men and women to be disciplined and refrain from over indulging in alcohol to refrain from drug and substance abuse and above all to refrain from fraternisation during the conduct of these competitions and even beyond,” he said.
He said those that misbehave will be quickly dealt with.
The disciplines on display are soccer, handball, volleyball, darts, snooker, chess, basketball, handball, table tennis, tug-of-war, athletics, boxing and golf.
Col Ncube advised athletes to win with dignity and lose with humility.
Capt Ndiweni said everything had been put in place for a smooth running games with officials drawn from the Army Sports Division.
Over the years, the ZNA has produced or been home to some great sporting talents which include Ambrose Mlilo, Tendai Chimusasa, Nokuthula Tshabangu, Ndaba Dube, Israel Dongo, Trust Ndlovu, Sanderson Nyebai, Fredrick Chisoro, Stix Mtizwa, Stanley Ndunduma, Japhet Mparutsa, Fanny Nyamukapa, Jairos Tapera, Charles Ndebele, Collen Dube, Gift Makoni, Lovemore Chikunha, Simon Mugabe and Maronga Nyangela.
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