The 2023 Zimbabwe University Sports Association games proved a bittersweet experience for Bindura University of Science Education. While dominating in some categories and falling just short in other events, BUSE proved that indeed they are a force to be reckoned with in collegiate sports.
Athletics, the mainstay of BUSE sports hauled an impressive 8 gold medals while other Panthers (BUSE’s Basketball team) suffered a heart-wrenching semi-final defeat to the UZ.
Below is a rundown of each sporting activity that BUSE participated in at the ZUSA 2023 games
ATHLETICS
The games commenced with track and field athletics at the University of Zimbabwe. The warmth of the autumn sun brought optimism to BUSE as they had previously won 9 gold medals in the previous edition of the games.
BUSE suffered a major blow 2 days before the games when sprinter Dickson Kamungeremu suffered a hamstring injury. This ruled him out of the games.
However, that setback did not dampen BUSE’s Spirit as athletics captain Busani Ndlovu won gold in the 400m hurdles very early in the day. Busani blew his competition away with a strong performance that showed why he should be going to the World University Games in China later in the year.
Vice-captain Wayne Nkomo also led by example. She won gold medals in the discus, shot put, and javelin events. Wayne stood head and shoulders above the rest as she didn’t need to use all 3 attempts in the discus to win gold.
Kudzanai Chiwara also won gold in the 1500m and 800m. Like Wayne and Busani, he retained his 2022 ZUSA medals.
BUSE’s fighting spirit was personified in Martin Magumeni as he snatched gold from the UZ right at the line. Martin ran a technically sound race and used his technical skills to power past his opponent right at the line. He won his gold, BUSE again silencing the naysayers.
Controversy reared its ugly head during the 200m medal presentation. The organisers had adapted time trails for the heats. These times were used to decide who wins, and the best time being awarded gold. Upon completion of the heats, none of the athletes were informed of their times.
After the 200m heats, one heat was ordered to repeat and it involved an athlete from the UZ. When the medal presentation was taking place, BUSE’s Lisa Mtetwa was initially told that she had won gold in the 200m event.
However, at the podium, her name was called out as the silver medalist. Attempts to get clarity on the matter were in vain as organisers played hot potato.
Disappointed as Lisa was, she focused on righting the wrong in her 100m event. So lightning fast was she that it became impossible to deny her gold. She will head to the ZTISU games as the ZUSA sprint queen.
At the end of the day, BUSE officially claimed gold in 8 events, 400m hurdles, 400m, 100m women, 800m, 1500m discus, shot put, and javelin. BUSE had 5 silver medals in the women’s 200m, discus, men’s and women’s shot put, 4x400m men’s; and 3 bronze medals in the men’s discus, women’s javelin, and men’s long jump.
8 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals.
BASKETBALL
The pride of BUSE’s 2022 regional campaign was the Panthers. So remarkable were their achievements last year that even the President, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa recognized them and other outstanding athletes.
The Panthers went into these games as favourites. They oozed confidence and had the plays to back it up. Their only competition and nemesis was the UZ who were out for revenge. At the Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions Sports Union (ZTISU) games, the Panthers defeated the UZ Starts by just one point and booked their ticket to the biannual Confederation of Universities and Colleges Sports Association (CUCSA) games.
The boys waltzed their way past the group stage and in like manner, breezed past Manicaland State University of Applied Science (MSUAS) in the quarter-finals. So dominant were the Panthers that they record winning margins too embarrassing to mention for the opponents.
At halftime against MSUAS, the Panthers lead 50-12. The final score could easily be read as a misnomer.
For some strange reason, the organisers set the tourney up in a manner that would pit the 2 best teams, UZ and BUSE, against each other in the semis.
It was the final everyone wanted, only in the semis.
From the first whistle, the game was end-to-end action. The game was played at a blistering pace with so much trash talk but mutual respect. There was little to divide the two teams at halftime. 20-21 to UZ Starts.
So equally poised were the Panthers and the Stars, all signs pointed to possible overtime. However, a series of errors and missed shots saw the Panthers succumb to a 9-point defeat. 33-42 was the final score. UZ won the bragging rights and the Panthers lost an opportunity to defend their ZTISU crown.
Even after winning, the UZ Starts showed massive respect for the Panthers. The atmosphere at the end of the match resembled that of a funeral. Deafening silence punctuated by sobs and sniffs left spectators feeling cheated for not having witnessed this spectacle in the finals.
The Panthers faced sister Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University (ZEGU) in the bronze medal match. The boys resoundingly won but still, the shadow of their defeat hung heavy on them.
The ladies’ team showed massive improvement but didn’t get the chance to play in the semi-finals. They won their opening match against ZEGU but lost against Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). ZEGU defeated CUT and this gave BUSE the freeway to face UZ in the semis.
However, ZEGU was disqualified for fielding an ineligible player. This robbed BUSE of the chance to play in the semis as CUT was awarded the points and semi-final ticket.
VOLLEYBALL
What once was the shining light of BUSE sport, volleyball has failed to sparkle in recent ZUSA editions. Both the men’s and ladies’ teams failed to win a medal. It was particularly painful for the ladies in that they won none of their games save for the walkover match they were gifted by the Catholic University who failed to field a team on the day.
The ladies were defeated by CUT, MSU, and the UZ. Their movement was lethargic and unforced errors made victory impossible for them. However, one has to give them credit for playing with pride. Even at the height of defeat, the ladies played their game with cheers. They rallied behind each other, even when one made numerous mistakes. Given time and coaching, these ladies will no doubt surprise some next year.
The men lost 3 of the 5 matches they played. They made it to the semis but were brutally defeated by the UZ. They faced MSU for the bronze medal match and again fell just short.
However, their match against Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) was one for the history books. The Lions played a coordinated game and deservedly won to book their semi-final ticket.
Reflecting on the tourney, it was discovered that most of the Lions were suffering from a stomach upset which may or may not be attributed to their failure to win a medal at the games.
GOLF
The Golf Club started in 2022 and surprised everyone when it won gold and silver in their respective men’s and women’s categories. This time they were out to prove that their 2022 triumph was no fluke.
Facing more teams than last year, both teams gave a good account of themselves and salvaged silver medals. They without doubt proved that last year’s exploits were not beginner’s luck but a testament to their skill and talent.
The sky is the limit for BUSE golf.
HANDBALL
Arguably the most improved team that BUSE fielded was the ladies’ handball. The ladies were the whipping dog of the 2022 games. They lost all their games. With the addition of new students, these ladies showed heart and determination. They narrowly missed the final when they lost by 1 goal to CUT in the semifinals. In the bronze medal match, they also narrowly lost. However, given that the majority of the team are first-year students the future of handball is looking bright.
NETBALL
After dominating their group and decimating their counterparts, the netball ladies had only the gold medal in mind. The ladies only conceded 1 goal while scoring over 60 goals in their opening 2 matches. They faced Lupani State University (LSU) in the quarterfinals.
These two teams had previously met in 2022 and BUSE emerged victorious. LSU was out for blood. BUSE lost by 10 goals and with that, the dream of a first gold medal was dashed. LSU went on to win gold and in their own words, “BUSE was our biggest competition.”
Positives can be drawn as again most of the ladies in the team are first years. The anger and frustration of defeat will surely fuel their desire and drive in 2024.
TENNIS
BUSE was only able to field a men’s team. The two gentlemen were pitted against overwhelming odds. They narrowly missed a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals, falling in the deciding match.
OVERVIEW
Barring the obvious controversies, Bindura University of Science Education proved a force to reckon with in sports. The success of 2022 was no fluke. Housing the National Sports Academy indeed has helped the University to grow its influence not only in collegiate sports but also in shaping national teams. BUSE has at least a representative in the basketball, athletics, netball, golf, and volleyball national teams.
Up next are the ZTISU games and eventually the ZUSA cluster 3 games. More medals are expected.
