The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
INGWEBU Breweries, sponsors of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Tug of War National Championships has reduced prize money for the annual event, a development an official from the company attributed to the prevailing economic hardships in the country.
Speaking at the draw for this year’s competition on Friday, Sindani Khumalo, the Ingwebu marketing, research and development manager announced that winners will walk away with $500 for both men and women, runners-up $300 while $200 is the reward in store for teams in third place.
“We have had to remodel our prize structure, everybody knows that every company is going through challenges, especially those in Bulawayo. The prizes are still there but not as much as you would have wanted or expected them to be. Traditionally, I know that semi-finalists have been getting something, this year we will just be giving prizes to the first, second and the third-placed teams for both male and the females,’’ Khumalo said.
Last year, Zesa Bulawayo, the men’s champions took home $1 500, 12 gold medals and 10 T-shirts, runners-up Exide pocketed $1 000 accompanied by 12 silver medals and a 10 T-shirts. FBC, who finished third, got a reward of $700, 12 bronze medals while $200 went the way of Delta Beverages for being the fourth best team.
In what was a remarkable achievement for Zesa Bulawayo, their women’s team also took first position at the same competition to take home $800 which came with 12 gold medals and 10 T-shirts, BCC got $600, 12 silver medals and 10 T-shirts for being the losing finalists. Third-placed Ingwebu pocketed $400 with $200 given to Zesa Harare who were fourth.
ZITF marketing and public relations manager Stella Nkomo said they always look forward to the tug of war with pride. Nkomo described the competition as ZITF’s signature event.
According to the draw, a total of 35 teams will take part in this year’s competition, these being 26 for men and nine for women. The preliminary stage will take place at Gifford High School on Saturday morning before the competition moves to the ZITF Main Arena in the afternoon from the quarter-final stage.
Full draw
Men
Group A: FBC A, Glow, CBZ A, Ingwebu A, How Mine A, Zesa Harare B
Group B: Delta A, Datlabs, FBC B, Zesa Harare A, Delta B, Delta B, Airforce
Group C: Exide, Mutare Board and Paper Mills, CBZ B, Correctional Lions B, Khami B, Hwange
Group D: Zesa Bulawayo, Correctional Lions A, Zesa Bulawayo B, Chloride, Ingwebu B, Khami A, How Mine B
Women
Group A: Ingwebu, Correctional Lions, Glow A, Davies Granite
Group B: BCC, Zesa Harare, Glow B, Airforce, CBZ -@Mdawini_29
