Sports roundup with Simon Rusitu

THE Zimbabwe Under 19 cricket team is in camp preparing for the International Cricket Council, ICC, Under 19 Cricket World cup to be held in Malaysia next month.

Team coach Shepherd Makunura said preparations were on course although some of their practice sessions had been disrupted by rains.

Zimbabwe is in Group A with Pakistan, New Zealand and hosts Malaysia.

The Zimbabweans will play their first match against New Zealand on February 18 and they will take on Malaysia on the 20th before finishing their group matches with a date against Pakistan on the 22nd.

Pakistan are the current holders of the cup after beating India in 2006 in Sri Lanka, becoming the first nation to retain the trophy after having lifted it in 2004.

CAF squad named

DYNAMOS has announced the names of players to take part in the CAF 2008 champions league. Dynamos is scheduled to start their campaign against Royal Swazi Leopards in the preliminary round next month.

Dynamos will be pinning their hopes on Murape Murape, the reigning Premiership Soccer Star of the Year for 2007, and inspirational captain Justice Majabvi.

Speedy winger Edward Sadomba is also expected to play a pivotal role in the campaign. However the list submitted to CAF by Dynamos shows that Sebastian Matende’s services will not be needed for the African safari.

Sources said the player was on his way out of the club due to loss of form for the better part of the season.

Bekhimpilo Ncube has also been ruled surplus to the Champions League campaign. Tendai Gwata and Dick Moyana, who were at the club last season, have also been sidelined, together with midfielder Ramson Zhuwawo

Squad: Willard Manyatera, Zondai Nyaungwa, Sam Mutenheri, Tafadzwa Maingire, Desmond Maringwa, Asani Nhongo, Thomas Sweswe, Brighton Tuwaya, William Mapfumo, Edward Sadomba, Enasio Perezo, Norman Maroto, Murape Murape, Sebastain Mutizirwa, Gift Zvavanhu, Afia Makwinja, Ephraim Gwiliza, Admire Dzukamanja, Pride Tafirenyika, Jacob Muzokomba, Benjamin Marere, David Shoko, Reuben Mhlanga, Justice Majabvi, Lovemore Maphuya, Phillip Marufu, Lazarus Muhoni, Farai Vimisayi, Washington Pakamisa, Tinashe Dzambara.  

Horse-racing back on track

THE 2008 horse-racing season, which failed to get underway last week because of the poor conditions of the track at Borrowdale Racecourse, will be held this week.

In a statement Mashonaland Turf Club said: “Patrons please be advised that due to the unsuitable track conditions, racing at Borrowdale has been postponed from Saturday January 5 to Sunday January 13.”

Racing was supposed to resume last week with seven runners in the starting stalls for the Hachiman Sprint feature race – Karsavina, from the Kirk Swanson yard, Clifton Miss, Kierov Ballet, Papa Meilland, Quick Thinker, Alashan and Thriller.  

Taengwa performs well in Angola

MIDDLE-DISTANCE runner Sharon Taengwa finished a credible second in the São Silvestre New Year’s Eve 15km Road Race in Luanda, Angola.

Kenya’s Grace Monany beat the Zimbabwean athlete to the gold medal in the women’s category of the race.

Kenya’s Eliajah Nyabuti won the men’s race ahead of Tony Wamulwa of Zambia and Angola’s João Ntyamba.  

Wirimai Juwawo, who was supposed to represent Zimbabwe in the men’s section, failed to travel to Luanda after the National Athletics Association of Zimbabwe was said to have botched his travel arrangements.

The organisers of the race in Angola had complimentary tickets for two athletes Juwawo and Taengwa and the third one for Titus Madzingo, who was supposed to travel to Luanda as their team manager.

But Madzingo and Juwawo were stranded in Harare when they could not access their air tickets from Angolan Airlines’ offices.

Had NAAZ tried to get the ticket for Juwawo before Christmas, the athlete might have taken part.

In the 2006 edition, Kudakwashe Shoko also failed to travel for the same event because NAAZ left it until too late to finalise the travelling arrangements.  

Black wins Aussie tournament

ZIMBABWE’S number one female tennis player Cara Black and her American partner Liezel Huber got off to a winning start this year when they beat Patty Schnyder and Nicole Vaidisova in the opening round of the Mondial Australian Women’s Hardcourt tennis tournament in Gold Coast, Australia last week.

Black and Huber, the number one seeds at the US$175 000 Tier III tournament, ensured there were no early season blues as they successfully negotiated a tricky opening-round clash with the talented wildcard pairing of Switzerland’s Schnyder and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6- 3.  

 

Women’s volleyball off to Algiers

THE national women’s volleyball squads are in camp preparing for the Olympic Games qualifiers later next week.

The women’s team is expected to leave for Algiers, Algeria this week to try and secure a berth to the Beijing Games at the African qualifiers running from January 10 to 20.

The men’s African qualifiers will be held in South Africa, from January 31 to February 10.

ZVA administrator Peter Mawere said the women’s side would remain in camp until their departure next wee,  while the men will only move into a closed camp later.

“We have limited financial resources that could enable us to get both teams in camp at the same time. So for a start, the women will be camping at Danhiko while the men will be meeting for regular training sessions at Richwood Park,” said Mawere.

Squads: Women

Tsitsi Maziwisa, Kudzi Muzando, Sandra Chihera, Media Mafuta, Esther Madeya, Rumbi Nechironga, Felistas Chakabveyo, Bridgett Mathe, Memory Dube, Thobekile Mswazi, Rujeko Kativhu, Lindsay Tazvirunga, Proceed Mkonto, Veronica Kasvosve, Tatenda Dahwa  

Men  

Murray Ndlovu, McErick Ndlovu, T. Pamire, G. Phiri, B. Mpofu, T. Mafuva, T. Sithole, P. Bhachi, P. Chigutu, T. Mashoko, B. Ngudzi, T. Mapigoti, N. Chiware, Mtandiso Ndlovu, N. Takawira, A. Chidemo, M. Chibuda, N. Chamisa, C. Chikanya, S. Phiri, K. Chirega, J. Kachingwe, M. Mtambirwa.