Online Reporter
Takudzwa Chitsiga-Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S national and development archery teams are proudly flying the flag high at the 2025 Africa Genesis Archery (AGA) Federation World Tournament in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The prestigious tournament, whose curtain came down on Saturday brings together top youth archers from across the continent, including teams from South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, the host nation Namibia, and international guests Canada.
AGA Zimbabwe is fielding two teams of 16 boys and girls each, who earned their spots through merit-based qualification at the AGA ZW National Tournament in March 2025 and through consistent performance in monthly inter-school tournaments.
The young athletes, accompanied by coaches, staff and supporters, arrived in Namibia on July 22 after months of intensive preparation and community-driven fundraising to support the trip. The competition commenced on July 24, featuring events in both bull’s eye and 3D archery formats.
In the 3D event, archers aim at lifelike animal targets at varying distances, while BE archery tests consistency and precision on static targets.
The first two days of competition determine individual and team standings, with the top three teams in each category advancing to the final day of head-to-head eliminations.
In a dramatic turn of events, Zimbabwe’s Development Team outperformed expectations, advancing to the final round where they contested for gold, silver and bronze medals.
Although the National Team narrowly missed out on the top three, several individual archers managed to finish in the top 20, with some potentially qualifying for the elite AGA Federation (AGAF) team. One notable name in this year’s tournament is Wiseman Makore, a rising star from Masvingo region, who only recently joined the sport but has already made a mark by qualifying for the 2025 team.
In the past, Zimbabwe made an impressive showing in the 2024 edition of the tournament, with Andrew Manning finishing 9th and earning a spot on the AGAF team. Manning and his 2024 teammates will return to the range this year in a special challenge against Canada, underscoring the tournament’s spirit of international camaraderie and excellence.
Since joining the AGA Federation in 2014, AGA ZW has established a strong reputation, consistently challenging top-tier teams like South Africa and producing several all-Africa champions. The federation is now exploring partnerships with Zimbabwe’s Education Department to expand archery access to more schools and nurture future talent.
The AGA program is more than a youth sports initiative; it serves as a pipeline to senior competition levels.
