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Lovemore Dube, Sports Editor
THE country’s colleges and universities will vie for places in the Zimbabwe sports team to take part in games involving the country, Malawi and Zambia from Friday to Sunday. Teachers’ training colleges, technical colleges and universities have already held their qualifiers where the top two finishers made it to the weekend competition.

The competition brings together the best talent of athletes who are past high school.

Martin Zibwi who represents technical colleges in the organising committee yesterday said all was set for the weekend games.

He said the colleges and universities were now taking competition seriously with some of the best performers attached even to Premiership and Division One clubs.

He assured participants that there would be professionalism in the running of the games.

He said associations who are the technical experts had been engaged to help administer the event to the highest standards.

“Our intention is to run the games professionally. We have been able to get hold of associations to provide technical expertise.

“The games have improved in standard with time and we look forward to good competitions,” said Zibwi.

Pamenus Mbazangi a member of the organising committee said they had done everything possible to ensure the hosting of a good competition.

He said the qualifiers witnessed fierce rivalry and now universities would be fielding their own teams just like the polytechnics and teachers’ colleges.

Among some of the star attractions will be Mercy Chinofura who won a medal in the regional games in Namibia last year. She is a good triple jumper.

But the real contest could be between Nyasha Charandura of Nust and University of Zimbabwe’s Itai Vambe in the 100 and 200m sprints.

Walter Hove who won the gold medal in the regional games 10 000m is expected to take first position.

He is a student at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College.

Zibwi said they were on a crusade to involve as many institutions of higher learning as they can.

“Our aim is even to have nursing colleges taking part in these games.

“They are eligible as long as they pay affiliation fees,” said Zimbwi.

Edward Chekure who represents universities said there was no sponsorship for their games.

He called on Bulawayo residents and the business community to come forward and donate towards a successful hosting of the competition.

Participants are expected in Bulawayo on Thursday with the competitions starting on Friday.

Among some of the disciplines on offer will be athletics, basketball, netball, soccer and volleyball for both men and women.

Bulawayo Club of the Disabled, Hillside College, Bulawayo Polytechnic and the National University of Science and Technology will be the venues.