2022 has been a breakout season for Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE) in the sporting arena. The University’s sporting talents have literary decimated their local competition and equally exerted their prowess on the regional and continental stage.
In Lilongwe Malawi, BUSE athletes made the bulk of Zimbabwe’s representatives at the 2022 Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association games (CUCSA).
University and colleges from South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana and Zimbabwe converged at the Bingu National Stadium to compete for regional honours.
As is becoming the norm, BUSE stood head and shoulders above the rest.
Wayne Nkoma, a BUSE National Sports Academy trainee led the medal haul with 3. She won gold in shotput, silver in discus and another silver in javelin. She adds to her ZUSA, ZTISU and FUSA medals.
Busani Ndhlovu was part of the 4×400 men and mixed relay teams and won silver and bronze medals respectively. Busani did not compete in his favourite 400 meters and 400-meter hurdles races as he suffered a hamstring injury during the qualification competition in Bulawayo a month ago.
In the men’s discus event, Prosper ‘Pogba’ Banofacio claimed silver. Known for his infectious affable personality, Pogba showed that his gold medal at the ZTISU games was no fluke.
To cap BUSE’s podium finishes in track and field events was sprint prince Dean Mutuki who won bronze in the 4×100 meters relay. Notable performances were registered by Kudzanai Chiwara who finished 5th and 6th in the 800 and 1 500-meter races.
The highlight of the games has to be the BUSE basketball panthers who formed the bulk of team Zimbabwe. The boys were pitted against the region’s heavyweight and against all odds, they devastated their counterparts.
The boys deservedly won gold and ignited a spark that Zimbabwean basketball is not only on the mend but gearing up for regional domination.
All in all, the CUCSA games reinforced the need to continue developing talent at the University. With a little more support, no doubt BUSE athletes can, not only, qualify, but also win at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.