Branton Matondo
Mutare-Manicaland open table tennis championships held from November 26-27 concluded on a high note as teams from various provinces across the country converged at Mutare Girls High School.
Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces took the better share of wins on various clusters ranging from under 10 to 21 in both male and female categories.
Manicaland Table Tennis Association (MTTA) Technical Director William Machacha told TellZim News that the tournament is nationally recognized and it was a good platform for regular and upcoming talent to showcase their talent.
“Manicaland open tournament is one of the national tournaments on our national calendar where by Manicaland based athletes play other players from different provinces,” he said.
Machacha who is also the current Zimbabwe Table Tennis junior national team coach was delighted by the performances displayed by youngsters.
“As a coach, this tournament was very important to me because it was big and attracted a lot of players from outside. I am the current Zimbabwe Table Tennis junior national team coach and I was very happy with my players, they played very well,” added Machacha.
An attempt to contact tournament organiser Manicaland Table Tennis Association (MTTA) Chairperson Murenje was fruitless until time of writing.
In the girls’ under 10 group, Nyasha Ganyekanye (Manicaland) took gold with Talia Mahachi (Mashonaland East) and Adriel Kafikira (Manicaland) scooping silver and bronze respectively.
Mashonaland East proved too tough to beat in the under 10 boys group with all top three positions going to Kudzai Goremushandu, Tamutenda Mugadza and Teman Ngwenya from that province.
Anotidaishe Shumba (Manicaland) finished second and was the only top three finisher in the under 12 girls where Mashonaland East’s talent Tawananyasha Chirovamaya came out tops while Victoria Aaron (Mashonaland East) was in third position.
13 year old Trust Madoro who has 39 medals so far under his name proved too good to beat in the under 16 boys group. He overcame Kupakwashe Samu (Mashonaland East) while Benjie Kaswa settled for third position.
It was an all Manicaland cast in under 18 girls group as Shamiso Ngofana came out tops of fellow competitors Hilda Mupandasekwa and Natalie Khane.
Harare province which was largely represented by University of Zimbabwe (UZ) students took charge of open ladies.
UZ representative Gamuchirayi Shumba eased past Vimbai Makuwaza (Manicaland) while Courtney Mutsetsepa held third position.
It was battle of Mashonaland East and Harare in the men’s open as Tinotenda Fambira (Mashonaland East) got top honours ahead of second placed Tatenda Mumvuma and Brian Chamboko all from Harare.
The tournament was guided by International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rules and regulations.
Top three players received prize money, medal and certificates.
People with disabilities were also part of the tournament to cater for inclusivity.
Zimbabwe table tennis faces serious sponsorship issues and shortage of exposure a feat that has seen most talent going down the drain.
