Mutare wins tug-of-war tittle

Sport
MUTARE tug-of-war team won their 14th consecutive Ingwebu-sponsored tournament after beating Hwange Colliery 2-0 in the finals yesterday at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair main arena.

MUTARE tug-of-war team won their 14th consecutive Ingwebu-sponsored tournament after beating Hwange Colliery 2-0 in the finals yesterday at Zimbabwe International Trade Fair main arena.

Ronald Moyo Sports Reporter

The tournament was sponsored to the tune of $30 000. Mutare pocketed $1 800 first prize money in the men’s category.

Champions’ coach Clever Mutema said he was happy to see his side win the competition for the 14th consecutive time.

Mutema said his side has been improving every year because of participating in international competitions and working hard in training.

“It is the result of good training and competing in international level where the standards are very high. We are happy to win this for the 14th year in a row. We are preparing for the tug-of-war Southern African Championships to be hosted by South Africa in July,” he said.

Last year Mutare obtained gold in the same competition that was hosted by Zimbabwe in Harare.

Hwange Colliery came second and walked away with $1 200 while Glow Petrolium and Grain Marketing Board Bindura received $700 each for coming third and fourth respectively. Quarter finalists Zesa Bulawayo, CBZ, Ingwebu and ZPC Hwange received $500 each for their efforts.

In the women’s category, Mambo Stars from Gweru beat Delta 2-1 to be crowned 2014 champions. They got $400 for winning the competition. Losing finalists pocketed $300 while Glow Petrolium and Zesa received $200 and $100 for coming third and fourth respectively.

Ingwebu general manager Nkosana Ndlovu said as sponsors, they were very much concerned about the deteriorating level of competition in the sport.

Ndlovu said this was due to the collapse of industries that funded tug-of-war teams. He also said they were happy with the participation of women in the sport.

It is the first time women took part in this sport and this year’s edition recorded nine women teams compared to 37 men’s teams from all corners of the country.