THE Solomon Musiwacho Table Tennis Academy products shone at the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games held in Windhoek, Namibia, recently after helping the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union (ZTTU) to scoop three bronze medals.
The academy was formed in the eastern border city of Mutare, in Manicaland province, several years ago and has been the heartbeat of Zimbabwe table tennis.
The team's success in Namibia began in the Boys Team category, where Shalom Makoni, a grade 7 student from Sheni Primary School in Dangamvura, Mutare, displayed exceptional skills and fierce determination on the table.
His agile footwork and fighting spirit were pivotal in securing the first medal for Zimbabwe.
In addition, the team achieved two more bronze medals in the Mixed Doubles category, thanks to the partnership of Tatenda Timire and Carrington Nourumba, who hail from Nyamauru High School in Dangamvura, Mutare.
The junior athletes, who come from humble backgrounds, exhibited not just skill, but also remarkable discipline and determination throughout the tournament.
The squad included Naama Boterere from Mashonaland East, Ruvarashe Charuma from Harare, and a cohesive group from the Solomon Musiwacho Table Tennis Academy, including Timire, Makoni, Propheser Mwatsika and Nourumba.
Their achievements have not only brought pride to the nation, but have also ignited inspiration among young athletes across the country.
- Foreign flavour at Zim Open table tennis championships
- Fambira basks in Zim Open table tennis championship win
- ZTTU hopes to reap benefits from Durban World Championships
- Ferenando retains ZTTU post
Keep Reading
Coach Takudzwa Gopito, along with his colleagues Tendai Tichiwangani and Vimbai Makuvaza from the Solomon Musiwacho Academy, praised the players’ efforts and highlighted that their rigorous training regime is now yielding results.
ZTTU president Noah Ferenando expressed his pride in the team's accomplishments, acknowledging the union's persistent efforts to nurture youth talent.
“This accomplishment by our junior players epitomises the hard work and commitment we’ve invested in nurturing young talent across the country. We are immensely proud of the team’s performance in Namibia, and this success signifies merely the onset of a brighter future for Zimbabwean table tennis. Our focus remains on developing these athletes and inspiring the next generation to ascend to even greater heights,” he said.
The Manicaland Table Tennis Association also commended the grassroots initiatives led by Musiwacho that have been vital in fostering local talent.
Tapuwa Chitambo, technical director at Eastern Highlands Table Tennis Academy, expressed his satisfaction with the progress being made in Manicaland, stating that the region is now a cornerstone of table tennis in Zimbabwe.
“Manicaland is now a bastion of Table Tennis in Zimbabwe," he noted, referring to the juniors' consistent performances across all categories from under 11 to under 19.
Looking ahead, 20 junior athletes are set to represent Zimbabwe at the South African Open in October, including 19 from Manicaland and one from Harare Province.
