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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
MARANATHA Adventist High school won two gold medals in the annual Adventist Schools’ Association (ASA) ball games competition held at Anderson Adventist High in Gweru on Sunday.

The Nketa-based school scooped gold in netball and basketball, but the event recorded a low turnout as other schools did not take part.

Out of the more than 15 Adventist secondary schools in Zimbabwe, only Solusi High, Gunde High of Gweru, Lower Gweru, Hanke High of Shurugwi and the hosts were part of the tournament.

Maranatha won all their netball games as well as the girls’ basketball matches to emerge with gold.

The schools competed in four disciplines, volleyball, netball, football and basketball.

Basketball was introduced this year. Maranatha, Anderson and Solusi High managed to field teams for the event.

Maranatha sports director Nqobile Mpofu said they were satisfied with the level of performance displayed by their players at the tournament.

“We’re happy as a school because winning in these disciplines shows that we’re developing well. The netball team was energetic throughout the competition,” said Mpofu.

He said the netball team had gained experience from their participation in the Imbizo district netball events and it was no surprise when they overwhelmed their counterparts in Gweru.

The Maranatha boys’ soccer team lost 9-10 to Hanke Mission in a penalty shootout after a goalless stalemate in regulation time.

Eldon Zulu, the Maranatha soccer coach, said his team was strong and had believed they stood a chance of winning, but fell short.

“We did well and felt we could’ve done better if more time had been added. We only played 15 minutes per half and this negatively weighed on us,” said Zulu.

Solusi won the girls’ volleyball event after winning all their games, while the boys finished third. Lower Gweru boys won the boys’ volleyball after beating Hanke in the final.

The hosts Anderson won the boys’ basketball competition.