Bluewood Handball Academy Crowned Champions at Thr...

Bluewood Handball Academy Crowned Champions at Thrilling Open Tournament

Patience Muchemwa

Senior Reporter

Bluewood Handball Academy were crowned champions of the Bluewood Handball Open Tournament yesterday after defeating Bulldogs 23–16 in a thrilling final. Hawks secured third place with a narrow 13–10 win over Masvingo Polytechnic. The tournament, hosted in Bluewood, brought together top teams from across Masvingo Province and served as a platform to showcase talent and enhance the sport’s development in the region.

The event featured both men's and women's categories, with intense competition throughout. In the men’s division, Bluewood Handball Academy impressed with a dominant performance, overcoming Masvingo Polytechnic 10–6 in the semifinals before going on to claim the title in a convincing final against Bulldogs. Bulldogs, who had narrowly edged Hawks 14–13 in their semifinal, put up a spirited fight but could not match Bluewood’s pace and precision.

Hawks, recovering from their semifinal loss, displayed resilience and determination to defeat Masvingo Polytechnic in the third-place playoff. The quality of play across all matches reflected the growing competitiveness of handball in the province.

Several standout individuals were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Prince Chipato, famously known as "De Gegea" from Bluewood Handball Academy, was named Best Goalkeeper. Bulldogs’ Mapako Luca took home the Top Scorer award after a string of high-scoring performances. Takunda Mangoyo, also known as "Pumba" from Bluewood Handball Academy, earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his all-round excellence and leadership on court.

In the women’s round-robin competition, Masvingo Polytechnic emerged as the top team, followed by Masvingo Day and Ndarama. The tournament highlighted the potential within the women's game, although the number of participating teams remains an area for growth. Masvingo Day’s Tatenda Tazvizinga was named MVP for her exceptional play, while Blessing Mbedzi of Masvingo Polytechnic won Best Goalkeeper. Her teammate Rudo claimed the Top Scorer award, further establishing their dominance.

Handball expert Lucky Magweka commended the tournament’s impact, stating: “I personally think it's a good initiative for Bluewood and Masvingo Province at large. Hosting local handball tournaments will improve players' performance and help identify areas for improvement before participating in prestigious tournaments. I'd like to emphasize the girl child; their turnout hasn't been satisfying.

I believe the incoming leaders need to address this gap to create a larger pool of players for national team selections. There's a need to update our handball approach beyond just physical aspects. Players need technical improvement, which also applies to coaches and officials. Handball clinics would be beneficial. I can confidently say handball is on the rise, and to reach its full potential, every child has the right to play and learn basic handball from trained personnel.”