Zimpapers Logo

Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
HOCKEY action in the 15th edition of the National Youth Games finally kicked off at Khumalo Hockey Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday after a false start on Monday.

Teams arrived at the venue on Monday, but could not access the stadium.

According to tournament director Kays Kanyangarara, hockey should have started on Monday, but they faced technical glitches that have since been righted.

“Public Works told us they had not been booked or notified within their system, so we did not have access to the venue. However, that situation has been rectified and the games are taking place as planned and everything is in order for a great tournament,” said Kanyangarara.

He said only five provinces had sent teams for the games, with Bulawayo and Harare failing to field teams for the event.

“We have Manicaland, Mashonalaland Central, Masvingo, Mashonaland West and Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions Sports Union (Zitisu). It is a good start, we have some provinces that we know play hockey, but they are not here and if we were to have those provinces, it would make the tournament bigger. It is the first time to have hockey and some provinces were sceptical, but I’m confident we can only grow bigger from here,” Kanyangarara said.

Action finally got underway yesterday morning with the two games played in the men’s Under-23. Zitisu overcame Manicaland 9-0 in the first game, while Masvingo crushed Mashonaland Central 14-0. Action is set to continue up to Friday. The teams will play in a round robin format, with the top three teams winning medals in the Under-18 boys and Under-23 men and women.

@innocentskizoe