Fungayi Munyoro-Chingaira

MUTARE -The  dream to form a provincial volleyball league is close to fruition after volleyball teams converged at Africa University on Saturday last week for the Manicaland Volleyball Association end of year Volleyball Tournament. The event marked the official introduction of  the Manicaland Volleyball Association League which organisers said was successful.

The teams which were in attendance include Zesa Eastern Region, Rusape Volleyball Academy, Skiez Volleyball Club, Tigers Volleyball Club and ZRP Manica Thunders. The games were played on a round robin format. Marondera’s Tigers Volleyball Club  claimed the coveted prize in the men’s category without conceding a defeat while Skiez Volleyball Club  settled for the second position. In the ladies category,  one team turned out for the tournament.

Dominic Machine the association’ secretary general said in their bid to revive activity he can say that it was a success since they have something to write home about. He, however, went on to say numbers were less than what they anticipated, but the association is looking forward to a more active 2023 with a provincial league in full swing

“We intend not to leave the ladies and girls behind in as far as volleyball development is concerned and we will keep trying to bring them aboard. Mutare Team Extreme Volleyball Club was the only team which showed up at the tournament. These ladies are based in Mutare and they are not attached to any tertiary institution or organisation so they are on their are own driven by desire to play volleyball. We also noted that this was also affected by the closure of tertiary institutions around the province such as Mutare Poly, Africa University and the two teachers colleges in Mutare who are our bases for other teams,” he said.

“For the  league there are other teams which are eager to join although they failed to participate at the end of year tournament due to various reasons. We are looking forward to have, Buffaloes (ZNA Mutare), Mutare Polytechnic, Africa University, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPSC) Mutare, Green fuel, jersey, Nyanga Allied Timbers and Chipinge Eagles for the provincial league,” he said.

RESULTS:  Tigers 2-0 Zesa, Skiez 2 – 0 Thunder, Tigers 2- 0 Skiez, Zesa 2- 0 Thunder, Tigers  2- 0 Thunder, Skiez 2 – 0 Zesa, Tigers 2 – 0 Rusape Academy, Skiez 2 – 0 Rusape Academy, Zesa 2 – 0 Rusape Academy, Thunder 2-  0 Rusape Academy