adminGames in Lubumbashi, DRC.
Nine countries battled for honours in athletics, soccer, netball, men and women’s volleyball, darts and chess.
Zimbabwe, DRC, Namibia, Angola, South Africa, Zambia, Mauritius, Malawi and Mozambique showcased their talents. Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland failed to turn up due to financial constraints.
After winning the crown in Malawi in 2009, Zimbabwe were simply unstoppable as they cruised to victory in DRC.
The winners paraded veterans like Cephas Pasipamire, Trust Chidomaya, Abel Chimukoko, Gaily Dube, Philipa Chiwore, Faith Sanyika, Luckson Mhara, Collin Jimu, Farai Munago and Austin Ndongwe.
In all disciplines on offer, Zimbabwe had either gold, silver or bronze medal as they were collecting medals for fun.
In athletics they won 16 gold, 18 silver and 10 bronze medals, to finish first.
Namibia, the hosts for the 2013 Sarpcco Games, were second in athletics hauling 10 gold medals to finish with total of 25.
In third place were Angola, who gave Zimbabwe tough competition, especially in track events, as they amassed five gold to finish with 22 medals.
The DRC, who at many times resorted to cheating in both track and field events trying to field civilians instead of police officers, were sixth with one gold medal to finish with total of nine.
Mozambique, who came with four athletes only, finished bottom with no medal to their credit.
In women’s volleyball, Zimbabwe climbed to the podium to receive the gold medal that had eluded them since the inception of the SARPCCO Games in 1999 in South Africa.
The victory was made sweeter by the fact that in the final held at Joseph Kabila Kabange Stadium, Zimbabwe silenced the DRC whitewashing them.
Zimbabwe women’s volleyball team were under the guidance of Milos Ncube who showed his shrewd tactics, and success was made possible by the exploits of captain Venenzia Chiyangwa, Shamiso Madzudzo, Prisca Mutero, Mercy Gotekwa and Tendai Machimbirike.
South Africa finished third in the women volleyball to take home a bronze medal.
In men’s volleyball, Zimbabwe settled for bronze after a promising start that saw them whipping Zambia 3-0 in their opening match.
South Africa’s men atoned for the disappointing show by their women when they clinched the gold medal with hosts DRC winning silver medal.
The Zimbabwe netball team faced a lot of hostility from the Namibian, Zambian and Malawi umpires with pathetic decisions.
However they settled for a bronze medal.
The Zimbabwe men’s football team were felt hard done by the DRC referee who clearly aided Zambia in the final at the Stade De La Kenya with some poor decisions. In the end, Zambia won 7-6 after a penalty shootout ,following a goalless draw in regulation time.
In darts, Zimbabwe won silver with South Africa taking home gold and Namibia winning bronze medal.
Zimbabwe scooped a silver medal in chess at Seminary Institute. Defending champions Angola won gold and South Africa collected bronze.
Online Reporter