SA pip Zim in Cucsa medals haul

ZIMBABWE were pipped to first position by South Africa by just two medals in the Confederation of University and College Sports Association (CUCSA) games that ended in Bulawayo yesterday.

The hosts amassed a gold medals tally of 14 just two short of the 16 that were won by overall winners South Africa.

But Zimbabwe enjoyed an upper hand over their southern neighbours in the combined medals tally scooping a total of 42 medals that include silver and bronze compared to South Africa’s 30.

Eight sporting codes athletics, basketball, chess, tennis, football, netball, table tennis and volleyball were competed in at the games that are played by college and university students from countries across southern Africa.

The games were initially scheduled to run for 6 days having commenced on Monday but were cut short by a day after visiting member countries requested the organisers to end the games yesterday to allow them to travel back to their respective countries before the weekend.

The visiting countries left Bulawayo after the official closing ceremony that was graced by Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Lazarus Dokora at an official closing ceremony at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

Minister Dokora urged CUCSA member countries to emulate nations such as Cuba that have a robust sporting system that contributes significantly to their economies.

“Countries like Cuba have a robust sporting system that is now a source of significant revenue generation. In fact, sport is one of the resources that is sustaining their economy, and I believe we can emulate this sustainable route to economic empowerment.

“One of the key benefits of sport outside the improvement of the performance of the athletes is its contribution towards tourism. We are happy as Zimbabwe that we are also playing our role in promoting national and regional development by hosting such games,” said Dokora.

Medals table Gold Silver 16 7 14 15 12 13 1 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 Country South Africa Zimbabwe Botswana Zambia Malawi Lesotho Angola Bronze 7 13 10 5 3 1 0