Chitungwiza Municipality’s ladies tug of war team maintained its winning record when it emerged as the winners of the Zimbabwe Tug of War end-of-year tournament hosted by Masvingo City in November.
The tug-of-war team has for the past five years been lifting Chitungwiza’s flag, coming on top at various tournaments.
The male team was at number five. Coach, Charles Viola, said that this was caused by the low weight of the team.
“I am very excited that the ladies excelled. The men also did well despite being ranked fifth in the tournament. What disadvantaged the male team was weight. It weighs 600 killograms, which is against the expectation of 720 killograms. So we would need many people with more weight to excel,” he said.
Viola expressed optimism that both the female and male teams will shine at the Inter-Cities Sports Festival set for Norton in October.
“We have already started training for the tournament. I am hopeful that our teams are going to bring something home. Our training days are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday,” he said.
The female athletes who made Chitungwiza proud are Aleta Hwembe, Diana Salary, Beauty Mwongoyo, Tobekile Matiza, Petronella Tole, Lisa Kwaramba, Christabell Bobo, Heather Kuvandika, Kudadkwashe Makosa, and Agness Nyamhere.
Meanwhile, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance leader Prophet Walter Magaya donated a tug-of-war kit to the ladies team that included their jerseys.
Chitungwiza welfare administrator Aaron Mhonyera told the mayor that sporting activities teach employees to be disciplined and improve their wellness.
Mhonyera said the sports sector will focus on wellness programmes in 2024.
Mayor Councilor Rosaria Mangoma pledged to support the tug-of-war teams, saying that she is passionate about sports.
“I am going to support you. I am passionate about sports, and I will definitely support you as you prefer the Norton tournament. I would also like to thank Prophet Magaya for his gift. May God bless him abundantly,” she said.
Tug of War is a sport that pits two teams against each other in a test of strength. The teams pull on opposite ends of a rope, with the goal being to bring the rope a certain distance in one direction against the force of the opposing team’s pull.
