Zimbabwe Universities Sports Association (ZUSA) Patron and Midlands State University Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa officially opened the universities sports extravaganza, ZUSA Cluster 1 Games on the 3rd of April 2023 at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.
Hosted in the Scenic City of Mutare by Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, the competitions saw fourteen universities from across Zimbabwe contest in various disciplines including; soccer, table tennis, darts, pool and chess, running under the theme, ‘Building Strengthened Student Communities Against Alcohol, and Substance Abuse Through Sports’.
While introducing the guest of honor Professor V. N. Muzvidziwa, Manicaland State University Vice Chancellor Professor Albert Chawanda indicated that sports are a critical component of higher learning.
“I would like to thank Professor Muzvidziwa who is also the patron of ZUSA for gracing this occasion as well as the organizing team for picking Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences as the host for such a big occasion,” said Professor Chawanda.
In his address, Midlands State University Vice Chancellor, Professor Victor Ngonidzashe Muzvidziwa highlighted that theme for the games could not come at a better time since the nation is committing to fight against drug abuse among the youth.
“We all know today, Zimbabwe like many other countries in Africa and even abroad is facing the scourge of drug abuse and alcoholism.
“Through sports we will become what we are meant to be as humans,” Professor Muzvidziwa iterated.
During the sporting event, the MSU soccer men’s team had to settle for a bitter second position and silver medal after University of Zimbabwe in the finals.
In the women football competition, Midlands State University team fought a hard battle managing to clinch the bronze medal behind Chinhoyi University of Technology and University of Zimbabwe who got silver and gold medals, respectively.
Midlands State University pool and darts male teams dominated their rivalries by securing gold medals.
Both the table tennis male and female darts teams held second positions in the finals.
The annual sports extravaganza is hosted annually to provide students a holistic learning experience.