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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE . . . Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Admire Masenda (left) is presented with a US$25 000 donation by CBZ group marketing and public relations senior manager Moliyn Musemburi (centre) and CBZ Bank relationship manager Foster Mxoli in Harare yesterday

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Olympic Committee yesterday announced a provisional team of 68 athletes and officials to represent the country at the second edition of the Africa Youth Games next month in Botswana.The Games are scheduled to run from May 22 to 31 in Gaborone.

Team Zimbabwe comprises of 49 athletes and 19 officials and was unveiled by ZOC at a function held yesterday at their offices in Harare.
Zimbabwe will take part in 10 disciplines — athletics, basketball, golf, judo, karate, netball, rowing, tennis, triathlon, and swimming.

The team was announced by ZOC vice-president, Thabani Gonye, who is the chairman of technical commission.

“I think it is not a disputed fact that Zimbabwe is endowed with a lot of raw talent, it’s just now the process of eventually coaching and nurturing those athletes to realise their raw talent,” said Gonye.

“We believe that what has been submitted and presented to us is the best that we could work with and we believe that this platform will give an opportunity to the athletes to show what they have got in a competitive environment on the continent.

“We believe this is important in terms of preparing for other senior games as the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 and probably for the 2020 Games.

“We believe some of the athletes that we have here, if they work hard and if they focus they can be part of that.” Team Zimbabwe chef-de mission, Addison Chiware, said they will kick off their preparation with a meeting on Tuesday with team managers.

“I think we are going to hit the ground running. We start off with a management meeting on Tuesday afternoon so that we bring everyone up to speed and what is expected of them.

“And from then onwards we are going to be reviewing each athlete and each sporting team that’s participating so that when we get to Gaborone we are all ready for gold.

“First and foremost we expect that our youths are going to do us proud and we certainly are gunning for some podium performances and I think the rest is up to the finalisation of the preparation plans so that we make sure that we do get as many of our youths onto the podium,” said Chiware.

Chiware believes the disciplines using the Games as qualifiers for YOG have a good chance of qualifying.

“From the job the technical committee has done they have actually been looking at the numbers that has been posted by swimming and athletics and we feel we have a good chance of having them qualifying for the Youth Olympic Games,” said Chiware.

The team received a major boost ahead of their preparation when CBZ donated US$25 000 to the National Olympic whom they described as their long time client.

ZOC president, Admire Masenda, said the donation will go a long way in assisting the team’s preparations.

“This will go a long way in helping us to get the team to the Games. We are very grateful. These are difficult times and we really appreciate the gesture,” said Masenda.

Provisional Team

Swimming: Robyn Lee, Ratidzo Mutangadura, Natasha Lawson, Roxanne Brown, Chad Idensohn, Peter Wetzlar, Aidan Onorati, Chase Onorati, Sheelah Crause (manager — chaperone/assistant coach), Masi Takaedza (coach).

Athletics: Enlitha Ncube, Niama Dube, Yvonne Vanhuvaone, Nomagugu Ndlovu, Mary Joy Mudyiravanji, Tapiwa Chetsanga, Samuel Tapera, Titus Nyati, Munyaradzi Rutsate, Tatenda Tembo, Tinashe Gambe, Robin Chitsato, Bright Nhubu (coach), Precious Tarakino (assistant coach).

Basketball: Mary Chawayipira, Petra Mukondo, Christelle Nyauchi, Tracey Makovere, Erinious Katsaruware (coach), Eric Banda (manager-assistant coach), Charmaine Chamboko (manager).

Golf: Stuart Krog, Shorai Murungweni (coach).

Judo: Blessing Muparo, Simba Mashayi (coach).

Karate: Elizabeth Banda, Naomi Mandengenda, Innocent Ntini, Victor Bunu (coach), Winston Nyanhete (coach).

Tennis: Courtney Lock, Nicole Dzenga. Freeman Nyamunokora (coach).

Rowing: Dexter Freeman, Hilary Mandibaya. Marlo Cunha (coach).

Triathlon: Drew Williams, Serena Rendell, Gideon Benade, Skye Davidson, Wayne Davidson (coach-manager).

Netball: Sharon Bwanali, Chido Chiwenga, Salma Dani Haji, Mercy Mukwadi, Michelle Muzanenamo, Lynette Tanhira, Nomagugu  Makhalima, Melissa Marara, Takudzwa Mawira, Fiona Mpanduki, Ropafadzo Muhwira, Lisa Mutambu. Letitia Chipandu (official), Ropafadzo Mutsauki (official).

Medical Team: Austin Jeans (team doctor), Margret Gibson (physiotherapist), Farai Muguwe (physiotherapist), Ryan Bathurst (physiotherapist).