The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi : Sports Correspondent
FIRST Class Academy’s 18-year-old Vimbai Makuvaza scooped a gold medal at the China-Zimbabwe table tennis friendly tournament held in Harare last weekend.The tournament dubbed Chinese Ambassador Cup was held at Belvedere Technical Teachers’ College Hall from September 17 to 18.
Preliminaries were held on September 17, while the finals were played the following day.
The tournament was hosted by the Embassy of the People‘s Republic of China and was co-organised by Zimbabwe, Chinese Table Tennis Union, together with Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union.
It received sponsorship from local companies and the Chinese community in Zimbabwe.
There were both men and women’s singles and doubles categories for all age groups.
Makuvaza who is the best female player in Manicaland represented Zimbabwe’s Under-21 girls.
She won 3-2 in the finals and received $500.
In an interview, Makuvaza said she was over the moon to win the tournament which also featured players from China. China is a world table tennis powerhouse.
“It was indeed a great experience and we learnt a lot from Chinese players despite my victory. I have played against players from Malawi and Zambia, but I have realised that Chinese are more dedicated to the sport. I want to develop the same spirit from now onwards. I am looking forward to participating in the next Olympics Games. I will train harder because I have realised that I am more talented in the sport,” said the 18-year-old star.
In a separate interview, Manicaland Table Tennis Association technical director, William Machacha, said: “According to the deputy Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhao Baogang, the tournament is aimed at strengthening bilateral friendship and promoting cultural exchange programmes between Zimbabwe and China through sport and cultural actives.
“It was a great event and on behalf of Manicaland, we want to salute Makuvaza for raising our provincial and national flags high.
“We are looking forward to have more players from the province participating in future tournaments. I am urging all those interested in table tennis to chip in.
“From now on we shall be holding team building trainings after every two weeks,” he added.
Makuvaza is also the best U-21 table tennis female player in Zimbabwe after having acquired several medals in different tournaments over the past four years.
