SPORT REPORTER
Zimbabwe’s delegation of athletes and officials was unveiled on Friday with Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Kirsty Coventry challenging Team Zimbabwe to raise the country’s flag high when they compete in the African Games in Ghana.
The 13th edition of the African Games is scheduled to commence on on March 8 and run until March 23.
Zimbabwe will field athletes in 10 sport disciplines. These include athletics, chess, cricket (men and women), cycling, judo, karate, tennis, triathlon, swimming and rugby.
Coventry , who spoke at the send-off ceremony organised for Team Zimbabwe in the capital Harare said:“It is very exciting the All-Africa Games that were supposed to happen last year is finally happening. I know that it’s been a long wait and it’s been as frustrating for all of you as for us,’’ Coventry said.
“Ghana is a little bit behind and what we have then done, and what we did at the beginning of the year, I sent the director general of SRC, my director of sport and the permanent secretary to Ghana in January to review and see which facilities were actually ready. And hence the team.
“So, we did have a much bigger team with a much larger number. But in order to ensure that we can be responsible for ensuring that our athletes are taken care of, we have only chosen sports where we had full confirmation that the facilities were ready.
“So, we know that it was a little bit disappointing for some athletes not to be on the team.
“We have also selected athletes, who have podium performances and certain sports that we know could also potentially qualify for the Paris Games. And we are really looking forward to seeing our athletes competing,’’ she said.
Given that the continental tournament will double as a qualifier for some of the categories, consideration was given to sport codes aiming to qualify for the Olympics.
The team’s chef de mission, Eltah Nengomasha, director general of the Sport and Recreation Commission, is already in Ghana.
In attendance at the event yesterday were Gerald Mlotshwa, the chair of the Sports Commission, Beatrice Nyamupinga, a legislator from Goromonzi West, Nicholas Moyo, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, and officials and coaches from the teams.
TEAM ZIMBABWE
Athletics: Ashley Kamangirira, Kelvin Chiku, Rutendo Nyahora, Isaac Mpofu, Ngoni Makusha, Busani Ndlovu, Gerren Muwishi (captain), Dickson Kamungeremu, Artwell Allington Simon, Leeford Zuze, Wellington Varevi, Bradley Makuvire, Aaron Whyte (team manager), Faith Dube (coach).
Cricket Women: Mary-Anne Musonda, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Audrey Mazvishaya, Nomvelo Sibanda, Kelis Ndhlovu, Chiyedza Dhururu, Loreen Tshuma, Nyasha Gwanzura, Francisca Chipare, Lindokuhle Mabhera, Modester Mupachikwa, Kudzai Chigora, Pellagia Mujaji, Keith Kulinga (batting coach), Caroline Chamunorwa (manager), Farai Mabasa (physiotherapist), Traver Garwe (bowling coach), Walter Chawaguta (head coach).
Cricket Men: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Brian Bennett, Falao Alex, Tony Munyonga, Nick Welch, Jonathan Campbell, Owen Mzondo, Takudzwa Chataira, Trevor Gwandu, Ashley Mufandauya, Wallace Mubaiwa, Tashinga Musekiwa, Kudakwashe Macheka, Rodney Mupfudza, Clive Madande (Captain), Elton Chigumbura (Head Coach), Njabulo Ncube (bowling coach), Tarisayi Sembezeya (manager), Travor Vambe (physiotherapist), Stephen Mangongo (technical advisor).
Cycling: Skye Davidson, Stacey Hyslop, Rodrick Shumba, Elton Muchemwa (head coach), Albert Kirevha (mechanic).
Tennis: Benjamin Lock (captain), Benedict Badza, Tatenda Mutetwa, Takanyi Garanganga, Rufaro Magarira (captain), Sasha Chimedza, Tadiwanashe Mauchi, Courtney Lock, Tanyaradwa Midzi, Ellen Chifamba (manager).
Triathlon: Andie Kuipers (captain), Lorna Doorman, Rohnan Nicholson, Callum Smith, Martin Mbofana (coach), Pamela Fulton (coach).
Judo: Christi-Rose Pretorius, Majaji Musariri (captain), Simbarashe Mashayi (team manager).
Rugby 7s: Vuyani Dhlomo, Tapiwa Mafura, Godfrey Magaramombe, Kudakwashe Nyamakura, Tapiwa Malenga (captain), Tatenda Matoramusha, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Ryan Musumhi, Edward Sigauke,, Carlos Matematema, Nigel Tinarwo, Dion Khumalo, Trevor Gurwe, Munyaradzi Ngandu,, Shadreck Mandaza, Ricky Chirengende (coach), Tafadzwa Mhende (team manager).
Karate: Tapiwa Nyikadzino, Tanyaradzwa Ziwira (captain), Winston Nyanhete (team manager)
Chess: Linda Shaba, Jemusse Zhemba, James Vhezha (coach).
Swimming: Joash McKonie, Donata Katai, Denilson Cyprianos, Liam Davis, Benjamin Rorke, Bjorn Mhlanga, captain Paige Van Der Westhuizen, Vhenekai Dhemba and Olivia Accorsi, Mikyala Makwabarara, Shereen Tafadzwa Lemon (manager), Kathleen Moira Lobb (coach).
