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Ricky Zililo in Livingstone, Zambia
ZIMBABWE finished at the top of the Southern Africa Teachers’ Organisation’s (Sato) medal table with Sibo Sibanda grabbing a brace in the women’s football final in which they beat Botswana 2-0.
The other gold medal for the Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) on the final day of the Games which started on Monday came from netball where they were 16-6 victors over Zambia. The final day was not as electric as the opening day as participants only competed in three disciplines -men’s volleyball, men and women’s soccer as well as netball.

The Zimbabwe men’s volleyball team was beaten 2-0 by Swaziland and in football they were knocked out in the semi-finals by winners Zambia who clobbered them by an identical scoreline.

Not even the presence of former Highlanders striker Castro Ndebele could inspire the Zimbabweans as the hosts were all over them. Yesterday’s results meant that Zimbabwe finished the regional teachers’ Games with nine gold medals, seven of which they collected in the opening day in athletics.

They also had five silver and two bronze medals.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Games which had nine countries — Zimbabwe, Lesotho, the host nation Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambique participating – Zimta spokesperson Daisy Zambuko was elated with her organisation’s achievements.

“On a professional level, the Games were a success as they afforded our teachers a chance to interact and find out on the challenges their colleagues are facing in their respective countries. Basically these were more of solidarity Games meant to strengthen relations with other teachers’ organisations from Southern Africa.

“I believe we represented Zimbabwe to the best of our capabilities as we fielded teams in all the disciplines that were there but unfortunately it ended being a Zimbabwe-Zambia affair as some countries did not have bigger squads. We are now looking forward to next year’s competition that will be held in Durban, South Africa,” said Zambuko.

After the Games, all teams were taken for a tour of the Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean end with some choosing to view the Mighty Falls from the Zambian end.

Results Football Men: semi-finals – Zambia 2-0 Zimbabwe, Tanzania 3-0 Botswana Final: Zambia 2-0 Tanzania Women: semi-finals – Zimbabwe 3-0 Zambia, Botswana 2-0 Swaziland Final: Zimbabwe 2-0 Botswana Netball Final: Zambia 6-16 Zimbabwe Volleyball Men: Final – Swaziland 2-0 Zimbabwe