Zimbabwes road to London 2012 Olympics begins in Swaziland this weekend when the 4th edition of the Zone Six Youth Games begins with 37 athletes, 16 swimmers, four boxers, women football and netball teams hoping to bring medals home.
African athletics youth champion, Tinashe Mutanga, will be sprinting for the first time at the regional games as he is expected to rule the 100m and 200m race after conquering the continent in Morocco, last July.
Although Mutanga felt a bit nervous to know that his past experience will bring pressure on him as it attracts all eyes on him in the track, he told The Zimbabwean he has already won the race in his mind.
A part of me feels a bit scared because Im not really used to this but the other part feels so ready to win. A wise man once told me that half of the race is won in your brain and mentality, so I have to remain positive and focused on winning the race, he said.
The 18-year-old discovered his talent at his Eaglesvale School, last year. He was not much of a fan of athletics until his star popped out to finish sixth in the 100m race at Americas Penn Relays, last April.
It was quite an achievement for me and I started thinking that I needed to train harder to improve myself for future races. I started having interest in watching races, researching for tips on the internet and I have since started believing in myself, explained the gifted young sprinter.
He also represented the country at the first Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore, last August and finished sixth in the 100m finals.
Pearl Chitava, Sokuluhle Mlalazi and Ruvimbo Musere are also among the sprinters who impressed in last years showpiece with promises to prove a strong force to reckon with again this year.
The womens football team manager, Debra Green, hopes her sides 1-4 loss to the senior team in a preparatory match, last Sunday, was an eye opener that will help her troops reclaim the championship title after winning the games in 2008.
The game was crucial in helping the coaches deal with some potholes in the team and work out the teams combinations. I think the team matches the crop of players we had in 2008, although this years competition will see the presents of other challenging teams such as Angola, Lesotho and Swaziland the girls are geared up for the challenge, she said.
Team Zimbabwe amassed 32 medals -nine gold, nine silver and 14 bronze- to finish at position three on the medals table, last year. Zimbabwe will become the sixth country to host the event in 2014.
Team Zimbabwe: Swimming- Jamie Schultz, Drew Rosser, James Lawson, Nicholas Burnett, Trevor Price, Lukewilliam Isemonger, Mitchell Kyle, Nelch Richard, Sean Gunn, Kaleigh Graham, Tarryn Rennie, Syanne Graham, Megan Carey, Alexa Morrisby, Robyn Mason, Shanice Buyce.
Athletics- Takudzwa Mhlanga, Hlabangana Sengezo, Felix Choto, Trymore Ngwenya, Tinashe Mutanga, Paul Madzinire, Dumisani Bhebhe, Abdu Simbili, Selby Mukucha, Pamela Sithole, Thandiwe Nyathi, Tabeth Gwebu, Ireen Ndoreka, Ruvimbo Musere, Cara Tom, Cathrine Makaya, Sukoluhle Mlalazi, Faithful Goremusandu, Pearl Chitava, Sithulisiwe Zhou.
Women Football- Charity Karuru, Edith Timire, Chido Dzingirai, Taradzwa Tsunguro, Kudzanayi Chiparausha, Rufare Machingura, Pamela Khumalo, Elizabeth Chaparangana, Rhoda Jongondi, Sifundile Moyo, Rutendo Makore, Rejoice Kapfumvuti, Rudo Neshamba, Eunice Chibanda, Emmaculate Msipa, Rutendo Madongorere, Nomsa Bizeck, Nobuhle Magika.
Athletics for the Visually Impaired- Tatenda Mapiye, Emmanuel Musora, Richard Machama, Wellington Mutasa, Sethuleni Mnguni, Timothy Chirava, Laina Sithole, Pamela Shumba, Nkosikhona Ncube, Blessing Kumirai, Afrah Chiwanza, Runyararo Hove, Peter Chideme, Loreen Muzondo, Rumbidzai Masvinge, Promise Chidume, Nyaradza Tagarira.
Boxing- Brighton Masiyambumbi, Tamaka Vhudzijena, Leroy Mpofu, Tadius Dzandiwandira.
Netball- Anna Nhapata, Patience Tegudu, Yvonne Madzikangava, Caroline Musemwa, Beaula Hlungwani, Caroline Chaendera, Gamuchirai Chuma, Paidamoyo Tinoza, Patience Ngwarai, Tanatsirwa Sigauke, Rejoice Dengezela, Patience Zvidzai.
Post published in: Athletics