Branton Matondo
Mutare-Manicaland table tennis players, who have wailed for long on lack of sponsorship rose to the occasion at this year’s edition of Zim Open Table Tennis tourney in the capital Harare scooping gold, silver and bronze medals in different age groups.
Kudakwashe Madoro who participated in the Under 10 category scooped silver behind Kundai Goremushanu from Old Windsor Primary School.
Trust Madoro who already has over 40 medals in his six year career was the major highlight as he proved too good for his age.
Trust, aged 14 scooped gold in Under 15 cluster ahead of Emmanuel Muzeza from Winwood College of Mashonaland East.
As if that was not enough Trust went on to scoop a well-deserved bronze medal in the Under 21 group behind Makanaka Muriravanhu (Gold) and Kuzivakwashe Chidakwa (Silver) from Goromonzi High.
Commenting on the tournament held at Divaris Makaharis, Coach Kudakwashe Madoro said the tournament was tough but Manicaland representatives managed to get their name on the medals board.
“We went to Harare with 12 players from under 10 to open. It was a tough tournament altogether. However, we managed to win in various age groups. Nyasha Ganyekanye scooped silver, Adriel Kasikira scooped bronze and Tristein Gororo finished fourth. All of them are from Rock of Ages Primary. In the boys Under 10, Kudakwashe Madoro scooped a Silver medal and Kuzivakwashe Nyamasoka scooped Bronze. In the girl’s under 12, Tamukanashe Katsikira settled for Bronze. Then in the Ladies open, Vimbai Makuvaza scooped Silver and in open men, Mulungisi Moyo settled for fourth place,” said Madoro.
Madoro added that participants from Manicaland would have gone with more than 12 athletes but the main obstacle is poor funding and sponsorship in the sport.
“The reason why we went with 12 athletes is that athletes fund themselves. We are appealing to the corporate world to assist us in terms of funding so that our players are able to participate. Since table tennis is still not yet a main stream game, there is no funding. We have a lot of talented players that fail to participate in these tourneys. This weekend, there was a tournament in Gauteng, South Africa but no one managed to go there to represent us. There is also a Capetown open tournament in South Africa underway but there is also no one there from this side,” he added.
Meanwhile Vikram Singh, who has vast experience in the sport was edged by rising talent Tinotenda Fambira in the Open Men finals.
Fambira won 3-2 after a stellar performance in the final set.
The two day tournament graced by athletes from all four corners of Zimbabwe was sponsored by Divaris Makaharis High School, Chakaz, Old Mutual, Devine International Travel, Nashenic Freight Services and Huatai Batteries.
Table tennis is a staple in the eastern parts of the world. Over the years, the mini version of court tennis has grown through leaps and bounds in Africa.
