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Fungayi Munyoro Mutare Correspondent
TEAM Manicaland are doing well at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYS) in Hwange, where most of their sides and athletes have reached the semi-finals in their respective competitions. Manicaland National Youth Games general manager Masimba Chihowa said he was happy with the team’s progress. He was convinced that his team will be this year’s winners.

Last year, Masvingo won the 14th edition of the Games held in Chinhoyi.

Manicaland were the defending champions last year, but found the going tough as they settled for fourth place behind the winners Masvingo, Harare and Mashonaland West.

“We are doing very well. I am very happy with all our teams’ performances. We are fielding very strong teams,’’ said Chihowa.

“I can safely say we are ready to take gold this time around. The majority of our teams are already in the semi-finals. We are currently on second position on the log table, just a medal behind the ZITISU teams.

“ZITISU have accumulated a total of seven gold medals and we have six gold medals together with Mashonaland West.

“We travelled with a team of 470 participants and officials. We are hoping to win this edition and we are capable of that judging by our performances so far.

“The ZITISU teams are the only teams that are giving us pressure as they have mature participants.”

The girls’ Under-18 football team have already reached the semi-finals and the draw was conducted yesterday. The boys’ Under-18 football team found the going tough after losing their two opening matches.

The cricket Under-23 team beat Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South.

The team is in second place on the log table, with the same number of points as the log leaders Bulawayo.

The Manicaland Under-23 basketball team have won a game and lost another.

The netball Under-23 team will face Harare today.

In their opening game, Manicaland girls dismissed Mashonaland Central 14-5, before destroying Vocational 31-4.