Zimbabwe Republic Police

Zimbabwe Darts teams (both male and female) performed exceptionally well and collected a total of 10 medals during the 11^th edition of the SARPCCO games held at Dar es Salaam, the United Republic of Tanzania.

The country collected 6 gold medals from men’s singles, ladies’ singles, both men and women doubles, as well as one for the team trophy. In addition, Zimbabwe had also 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals from other catergories to make a total of 10 medals.

Darts were played at Msasane Beach Club situated along the coast of Dar es Salaam. Usually closed premises are preferred for this sporting discipline as compared to the open venues. At Msasane Beach Club, the venue was just a makeshift shade that did not meet the minimum standards of hosting international matches.

Despite playing on a sub-standard venue, Team Zimbabwe whose slogan was “1-2-3 Zvese Ndezvedu” meaning everything is ours, fought so hard and collected maximum points. Three countries – Malawi, Zambia and the host Tanzania – were represented and tried in vain to challenge Zimbabwe.

Chairperson of Darts for Team Zimbabwe, Superintendent Charles John commended the players for contributing the second highest number of medals to the contingent. A lot of medals were amassed from athletics.

“The Darts team performed exceptionally well and where we missed the medals, it was because the draw was not in our favour, as we knocked ourselves out to the advantage of eventual winners. Had the draw favoured us, we could have collected all the 14 medals in Darts,” he said.

Zimbabwe Darts team had 17 players (10 males and 07 females). Superintendent John, however, recommended the addition of another player in the female’s category in order to field four doubles in future tournaments.

“Resourcs permitting, we should have 8 female players in future, as opposed to 7 players that travelled to the 2022 SARPCCO games. We forfeited one medal in the doubles because the coach had no playing partner,” said Supt John.

Five countries, out of the eight participating in this year’s tournament managed to assemble teams that played in a round robin. These were Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia for the Men’s Darts, while in the ladies’ teams, only three countries; Malawi, Zimbabwe and host Tanzania were represented.

DARTS

Zimbabwe male and female Darts teams which collected 10 medals at SARPCCO games

MPOFU

Team Zimbabwe’s field and track event athletes at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium

Zimbabwe’s long distance runner, Isaac Mpofu, ran his best time of 1:01 minutes, setting a new record in the 21km road race during the 2022 SARPCCO games held in Tanzania. The previous record was 1hour 3minutes.

Earlier on, Mpofu had made his presence felt by collecting Team Zimbabwe’s first gold medal in the 10 000m race during the track and field events. He was assisted by Elijah Mabhunu who started the race as the pace setter but finished on third position to clinch a bronze medal. The other veteran, Trust Chidomaya pulled a muscle and walked off the track during the 8^th lap. He was however, instrumental in earning the team a bronze medal during the 21km road race.

In the women’s category, Olivia Chitate did not disappoint as she scooped three silver medals in the 10 000m, 5 000m and cross country events. Zimbabwe also did well in other off-track events like throwing Shotput, Discus and Javelin, Long Jump, where Constables Gayrod Takaendesa, Rejoice Nyamajiwa and Linda Nyamutswa scooped gold, silver and bronze medals in Shotput, respectively. Constable Glady’s Mukome and Constable Molly Munashe Ngwarati, left their mark in the women’s long jump.

The story will not be complete if one does not talk about the individual brilliance of Conias Mudzingwa, who powered his teammates in the men’s final 4x400m relay to open a 30m gap during the second lap to ensure Zimbabwe’s last man – Mtholombo – hits the finishing line with ease to claim the team gold medal. The future also looks bright for recruit Constables Tanaka Mazadza and Nyasha Gadaga, who also added medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m and field track events.

The Athletics Coach, Chief Inspector Costa Matigwene explained the tactics employed by Zimbabwe in this year’s tournament in athletics.

“We knew that Tanzania as host were going to prepare adequately for the games. They are good in cross country and marathon races. Our strategy was that we collect everything in the field and track events to narrow their lead on gold medals. This somehow worked because by the end of the first two days, we were almost at par on gold medals tally but later surpassed them,” he said.

Superintendent Sports at Police General Headquarters, Abel Chimukoko commended Team Zimbabwe for the good performance.

“This time around, our performance was good. We faced quite a lot of stiff competition from the hosts and other nations and the medals in athletes were evenly spread such that most of the countries managed to grab something. But I was disappointed by the host nation – Tanzania. They did not handle it (tournament) professionally in terms of organising athletics starting from the track and field events. I think in future, we need to improve, work as a team and ensure that there is transparency and also to consider the vision and mission of the SARPCCO games, on the need to unite and fight crime through sport,” he said.

Superintendent Chimukoko said that Zimbabwe needs to start preparing for the next SARPCCO games scheduled for 2025.

“We need to start identifying the talent, our athletes need to be supported by young blood that should be nurtured. The talent is there. We also need to train umpires and coaches who would guide the correct way in each sporting discipline. We also need to take our athletes to high performance competitions so that the gain all the required experience,” he added.

MPOOFU

Isaac Mpofu sets a new record at 2022 SARPPCCO games

The Zimbabwe Republic Police Sports Office was established in August 1991 in the then Welfare and Sports section housed at the Police General Headquarters. By then, the Sports Office was manned by an Assistant Inspector who was acting since the post was that of an Inspector. The retired number 030878 M Chief Inspector Jonga who during that time was an Assistant Inspector, was the first Sports Officer. He was sharing office accommodation with Welfare Officer Ex- woman Assistant Inspector Tsvuura.

In December 1998, the National Sports Office was moved to Z R Police Sports Pavilion former rugby Union Offices in Morris Depot due to lack of office accommodation at PGHQ complex. Following the increased responsibilities and volume of work, the Office was separated from Welfare and Sports Section in May 2003 when the post of Superintendent [Sports] was created to oversee all sporting activities. Superintendent Chizemo was the first Superintendent [Sports]. However, his term of office ran for only two weeks, that is, from 8-23 May 2003, before Chief Inspector Jonga took over the post as Acting Superintendent [Sports] for one year.

On 23 May 2004, a substantive Superintendent [Sports], Superintendent Mudzamiri was posted to head the section. Chief Inspector Jonga then reverted back to his post as the Officer in Charge of the section.

On 3 May 2005, Assistant Inspector Punyuka was posted as the Acting Officer in Charge Sports since Chief Inspector Jonga had retired from the force in February 2005.

Assistant Inspector Punyuka was promoted in 2006 to the rank of an Inspector and remained the acting Officer in Charge with the staff compliment of 01 assistant Inspector, 01 sergeant and 01 constable.

In the year 2008, Superintendent Mudzamiri was transferred to Support Unit and Superintendent Tigere became the new Staff Sports Sports

In the year 2008, Inspector Punyuka was promoted to the rank of a Chief Inspector and remained as the Officer In charge of the section.

In the year 2013, Chief Inspector Punyuka acted as Staff Officer Sports during the absence of Superintendent Tigere who had gone out for United Nations duties, Consequently, Assistant Inspector Kangomba J was the Acting Officer in Charge Sports.

On the 9^th of September 2013, Chief Inspector Punyuka was transferred to Southerton Traffic and Chief Inspector Chimukoko. A took over as the Officer in Charge on 1 October 2013.

In July 2015, Chief Superintendent Mudzamiri was transferred back to Sports Office as Staff Officer Sports, Superintendent Tigere became Superintendent Sports.

In March 2019, Chief Superintendent Mudzamiri retired from the organisation and Superintendent Tigere was appointed Acting Staff Officer Sports.

Roles of the Office

To plan, organize and coordinate all sporting activities, courses and seminars within the Z R Police.

The office co-ordinates and manage 18 sporting codes namely: - Angling, Athletics, Chess, Cricket, Darts, First Aid, Golf, Netball, Powerlifting, Pool, Rugby, Shooting, Soccer, Squash, swimming, Table tennis, Tennis and volleyball. Sporting competitions/ galas used to be held in all the 14 Police Provinces on a rotational basis of late, due to financial constraints, the tournament is being hosted in Harare.

The office is financially supported by the organisation and also does fundraising activities and receives donations from the corporate world. The major financial contributor is the Casino License issued annually courtesy of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

NOTABLE MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS/SUCCESSES

Since the establishment of the National Sports Office, the following achievements were recorded:-

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Team Zimbabwe managed to successfully collect good results in both Men and Women Chess competitions during the 11^th edition of the SARPCCO games held at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The ladies’ team clinched a gold medal on team games, with the Zimbabwean players also finishing on first, second and third positions on individual games category.

Team Zimbabwe was represented by Sergeant Venencia Kamonere andConstables Blessing Ndlovu, Christine Makwena, Sally Murairwa and Tafadzwa Shanya.

The men’s Chess team also clinched a silver medal, after losing to Zambia who won the gold medal. Mozambique finished on third position and won a bronze medal. The men’s Chess team included Sherperd Chimhungwe, Rugare Muchena, Vasco Chayamiti, Tasisio Chikandi and Emarald Takudzwa Mushore.

Commenting on the performance, Coach Emarald Mushore said the tournament was tough, despite the successful outing by Team Zimbabwe.

“Our game plan was to win all our matches with a highest score wherever possible and fight for a draw against Zambia, which is our toughest opponent. Unfortunately, they came better prepared in the Men’s Chess category, although they failed to field a team for the ladies,” he said.

A no nonsense Matemera in one of his international assignments

Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Assistant Inspector, Norman Matemera, and Sergeant Major, Luckson Mhara, capped a stellar 2018 football season with flying colours as they were voted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Referee (CLPSL) and Assistant Referee of the year 2018, respectively.

Matemera, who is the only Zimbabwean referee currently on CAF Elite B panel, was voted the 2018 CLPSL Referee of the year for the first time in his career.

Matemera recently shot to fame for turning down a $USD 10 000 bribe to fix a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederations Cup game between Deportivo Niefang of Equatorial Guinea and Williamsville AC of Ivory Coast on April 18, 2018 in Equatorial Guinea.

The referee lodged a report to Africa’s football governing body, Confederation of African Football (CAF) also accused the Match Commissioner of coercing him to take the bribe.

Deportivo Niafeng, who won the match in question 2-1, crashed out of the competition on a 3-2 aggregate loss having initially lost 2-0 to the Ivorians in their first leg.

Matemera’s rare ethics earned him headlines across the continent for the abject shenanigans for which he was awarded a whopping US$5000 for the show in his home country by former Zimbabwe Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Cde Obert Mpofu, Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs, Mr Melusi Matshiya and Commissioner General of Police, Godwin Matanga.

Matemera had been promoted to the CAF Elite B panel a year before, in 2017, at a course held in Cameroon.

He is the only centre man among three Zimbabwean referees on the CAF Elite B panel, the level which allows him to handle any other CAF matches except Africa Cup of Nations matches which need members of the CAF Elite A panel. The other two Zimbabwean referees on the same level with Matemera are Assistant Referee, Thomas Kusosa, and the recently promoted lady centre referee, Mercy Mayimbo.