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Nkosilathi Sibanda

MASHONALAND West Province were this year’s champions of the National Association of Primary Schools Heads (Naph) Track and Field Championships after bagging 28 medals at Kyle College in Masvingo.

The winners amassed 18 gold, 4 silver and six bronze medals. 

Midlands Province had the highest tally of 32 medals, but fell short, settling for second position on the table with only eight gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze.

The hosts (Masvingo) were third with eight gold, seven silver and one bronze medal.

Matabeleland North managed to finish in ninth position, which was below the province’s expectation. 

It was a similar bad outing even among secondary schools, a move that left many calling for action and athletics running all year round instead of being just a first term event.

The team’s coaches expected to finish at least on sixth position or better. 

Matabeland North had eight medals being three gold, one silver and four bronze.

One of the province’s medal hopefuls, Nolwazi Mpunzi of Nkosikazi Primary School in Bubi District won bronze in the 200m race.  Gold medals for the province came from shotput, javelin and 800m events.

Riding on low, settling for the last position was Matabeleland South Province who went home with two gold, six silver and four bronze medals.

Matabeleland North Naph chairman, Nkosinathi Moyo told Zimpapers Sport that next year they will concentrate more on field events.

“The performance was not what we had wished for but I think it was almost the same, compared to previous competitions. What we need to do is to specialise like our neighbours Bulawayo. We stand a greater chance in field events,” said Moyo without elaborating.