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Crime Reporter
Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri has expressed concern over rampant cases where sports persons turn fields’ into combat zones where they engage in fistfights with their opponents. He was speaking at the official opening of the 2014 Commissioner General of Police’s Sports Gala in Harare yesterday.

“I have to say this because of late, we have regrettably seen some sports persons turning sport competitions into arenas of combat,” he said.
“Fellow competitors, officials and spectators have been either assaulted, maimed or verbally abused. Such unacceptable and unbecoming behaviour has marred the beauty of sport and has to be condemned strongly. The arena of sporting competitions should not be allowed to degenerate into a cut throat, dog-eat dog jungle.”

Comm-Gen Chihuri’s sentiments follow a fist fight involving Dynamos’ Rodrick Mutuma against Black Rhinos’ Obey Gada on the field of play in a Chibuku Super Cup at Gwanzura Stadium on Sunday.

Mutuma was reported to have also fought his captain Murape Murape at Zimphos Grounds during a training session on Tuesday.
Last month, two Black Rhinos Queens players, Rufaro Machingura and Tariro Makumbe assaulted referee Mercy Maimbo during a NetOne Cup final at Rufaro Stadium after their side lost 4-5 on penalties to Inline Soccer Academy.

The Commissioner General of Police Sports Gala competitions that are being held at Morris Depot began on August 17 and will end on August 23. Comm-Gen Chihuri said the gala was the prime platform to showcase sporting talent within the force.

There are 17 police provinces, with a total of 3 300 athletes who will be battling for honours in 15 sporting disciplines — athletics, chess, cricket, darts, first aid, golf, netball, pool, power lifting, rugby, squash, table tennis, tennis, soccer (men and women), and volleyball (men and women). Comm-Gen Chihuri said the force would remain steadfast in its commitment to the development of sporting activities.

“The array of available sporting disciplines on offer provides the ideal competence framework that fits well with the physical, mental and the artistic demands of police framework,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police are the holders of the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation games trophy.