…Pluto fires warning shots at ZITICOSA
Sports Reporter
Masvingo Polytechnic athletes raised the province’s flag high during the recently held Technical Education Sports Association of Zimbabwe (TESAZ) games hosted at White City in the city of Kings, Bulawayo.
The team which also included star sprinter captain Brain ‘Pluto’ Masunda (21) and the ladies quartet of Immaculate Lunga, Natasha Mudemba, Privilege Mbizvo and Princess Hungwe fared well in various track disciplines and are gearing for the upcoming Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions Sport Unions (ZITISU) games to be hosted by Africa University in Mutare.
Masunda said he would put aside the disappointment that saw him failing to defend his title at TESAZ games where he settled for the Silver medal in 200 m race, Bronze in 400 m and 4X400 m relay and aim higher come June.
“I did fairly well at the TESAZ games in Bulawayo though I didn’t perform well and failed to defend my previous exploits as the competitions were stiffer this time around.
“In June, I will participate at the ZITISU games to be hosted by Africa University in Mutare and promise to shine at that stage. My competitors should expect a fine run for their money as I will give them something worth remembrance,” said Masunda.
The Charles Manyuchi academy athlete Masunda whose dreams are set on being an internationally acclaimed athlete in national colours urged fellow young people to take sport seriously as he said it’s his dream to run on bigger stages if all goes well.
“I also want to tell other young people to be serious in whatever sporting discipline they partake in, for the sake of the future careers in sport. One just needs to be goal-oriented bearing in mind that the sky is the limit. There is need for hard work, remaining focused and training to achieve desired results.
“It is my wish that one day I would run in the Diamond League and for my national team,” added Masunda who is studying towards National Diploma 1 in Accounting.
Lunga studying Fabrication Engineering National Certificate 3 also said she aims to be a household name in athletics though her parents disapprove of her ambition in sport.
“I would like to thank Captain Pluto for encouraging me to carry on with athletics. My parents have always discouraged me from pursuing athletics and that has been a major setback. In June, we are going to Mutare as a team and bring the gold medals home,” said Lunga.
Lunga won Gold in 100 m, 4X100 m and 4X400 m relays where she partnered with her college mates.
Hungwe also spoke of how hard work and determination driven by team work keeps the quartet going.