HARARE Metropolitan Province reclaimed the Zimbabwe National Youth Games title coming first in this year’s competition which ended in Masvingo on Saturday. SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER The champions relinquished the title in Bulawayo last year when they came fourth, but came back very strong this year to claim their 10th National Youth Games title.
Harare bagged 17 gold, 12 silver and 11 bronze medals while runners-up and hosts Masvingo, who maintained second spot got 16 gold, seven silver and 12 bronze.
National Youth Games manager Martin Dururu congratulated Harare for winning the title.
“Harare Province was very embarrassed when they lost the title to Bulawayo last year. They came fourth. After the games they set up training programmes, identified athletes and set up weekends and holiday training sessions.
That investment has paid off. Masvingo maximised by mobilising support since they were the hosts,” he said.
Bulawayo lost the title after winning nine gold, 13 silver and nine bronze down from last year’s 16 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze medals.
Matabeleland South made a marked improvement from last year’s eighth position to fourth with seven gold, eight silver and eight bronze. Mashonaland East were fifth with five gold, five silver and three bronze while Manicaland were sixth after collecting five gold, one silver and two bronze.
The Midlands dropped from position five to seven after scooping four gold, four silver and eight bronze, with Mashonaland West on position eight getting three gold, eight silver and 11 bronze.
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Mashonaland Central grabbed two gold, two silver and five bronze to finish the competition on position nine. As has been the norm over the years, Matabeleland North’s dismal performance continued as they came last with a paltry four medals, two silver and two bronze.
In the previous two editions of the National Youth Games that were hosted by Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North performed badly.
“Matabeleland North is very worrisome. Something is wrong there and it is not a good picture,” Dururu said.
“It is because of the absence of formal sports structures. There are no vibrant sports association and clubs. Another reason is the selection was done after schools had closed so that affected them because they rely mainly on boarding schools.”
He said the major undoing for Bulawayo was team sports as they were not doing very well in basketball, volleyball and handball.
Dururu said the games had also helped Team Zimbabwe’s preparations for the African Union Sports Council Region V Under-20 Youth Games to be held in Bulawayo in December.
“Team Zimbabwe got a lot of exposure in netball and football. It was the opportunity not only to assess athletes, but to spot other talent,” he said.
