By ALBERT MASAKA

AS THE sports tourism drive gains momentum, Chitungwiza workers recently inspired their community by defying all the odds and rising up to the occasion to grab national and regional honours at the recent 10th edition of the All-African Tug of War Championships held at Victoria Falls.

Outstanding were two female workers Patronella Tole and Beauty Mwongowoyo who excelled in the 560kgs category and are set to represent their country and continent at the tug of war world championships set to be held in Germany.

Aaron Mhonyera

To cap it all, one of Chitungwiza sports coordinators, Aaron Mhonyera was elected interim chairman for Harare Northern Region Tug of War Championships, on the backdrop of the fine performances by Chitungwiza in recent years.

Mhonyera announced the appointment to Chitungwiza stakeholders who attended the medals handover ceremony held at council chambers last week.

He added that lack of corporate support was hampering the development of sports in Chitungwiza and appealed to the deputy mayor Cllr Edmore Muringa, to seek corporate sponsorships to fund the council’s seven sporting disciplines.

 “Your worship if you can extend your hand to the corporate world to come in and partner with Chitungwiza municipality for us to have the kits, so that we have the ropes, so that we have the boots for us to excel and achieve our goals as players of tug of war among other sporting disciplines.

“We did not bring shame to Chitungwiza, but strived to make sure that we do our best and everyone did their best beginning from the coordinators with the support of our management arranging the movements and accommodation making sure that athletes have everything they need.

“They proved a point that Chitungwiza is not only known by sewerage and other negative issues so we are trying to make sure that people out there will see Chitungwiza the other way”

“And it is our hope that through tug of war Chitungwiza will never be the same again.

Mhonyera told Dungwiza News that they managed to play in all categories but it was the 560 weight category team that managed to scoop the bronze medal.

After sailing through the club and provincial stages in that category Chitungwiza’s tug of war team won against other national teams including South Africa.

“Not only that we went further to ensure that the Sadc countries are going to represented in  the World Cup that is going to  held  in Germany

Mhonyera said the tug of war team went miles in as far as participation and patience in sports is concerned to the extent of winning the gold among other achievements.

“This year we managed to be part of the Harare Northern region tug of war tournaments. Unfortunately it is a shame your worship that we were not affiliated with, we are expected to pay US$750.

“It is my plea that you help us through, but that is not to say management does not want to pay but maybe they are other issues

Cllrs Muringa and Wattmore Muchairi appreciated the feats by the tug of war team and promised to engage management to help to change the perception of Chitungwiza through sports.

“We last saw this long back when he had such prominent  residents as the late Mr Chitungwiza John Chibadura and System Tazvida so we will sit down with the chairperson and acting town clerk  and his team to look into your issues

Acting town clerk Japson Nemeseso who was all smiles  heaped praises on the tug of war team’s latest achievements.

“I grew up in a mining area where they used to promote sports so I used to run for Zisco Steel, it’s important for us as workers in terms of wellness, we actually appreciate the sporting activities, so I have noted that there are seven disciplines but tug of war is becoming prominent.

“Our wish is for all our workers to participate in all disciplines because we dedicate our Wednesday as a sporting day because we acknowledge that it’s important in mental wellness

“My appreciation is to be the best in all sporting disciplines to change Chitungwiza perception. You are now our beacon of hope in terms of sports.”

The 10th edition of the All-African Tug of War Championships was held from June 20 to 22.

The men’s teams competed in the 720, 640 kg categories, while the ladies were in the 520 and 560s.

The mixed contest will be in the 580kg category of the competition.