Harare: AfricUpdate – News Desk
Zimbabwe have been crowned the 2025 African Union Sports Council Region V Darts Youth Champions after clinching 16 medals at the regional tournament which ended in Mazowe this Friday. Zimbabwe made a triumphant return to the oche this Friday, dominating the prestigious regional tournament and shrugging off stiff competition from across the region.
Utilising home advantage, Zimbabwe clinched six gold medals on the final day to put a cap on a brilliant campaign, fronted strongly by the girls’ team, who rose to the occasion in every category. In total, Zimbabwe walked away with six gold, six silver, and four bronze medals, dethroning 2024 champions Botswana, and confirming the country’s rising status in regional sport.
“I was especially surprised because Zimbabwe and Botswana have upped their game so much. I’ve complimented the managers on the levels these kids are, the skills they have, they’re also disciplined and focused,” said SA Ladies National Manager, Ronel Hayman. Eswatini Darts president Kofi Phumlani Ndwandwe also said, “The future of our sport is in very good hands, and I want to applaud our countries and Zimbabwe in particular for leading the charge.”
Namibia Team coach Kobus van Zyl weighed in, “Zimbabwe is doing well in sports, I can see the way they’re playing, they also had a lot of guys in the finals, the young talent here is so much so they can go very far with any sport, the future is bright for Zimbabwe.” While visiting teams were full of praise, the hosts expressed pride not only in their dominance on the dartboard, but in Zimbabwe’s ability to host an international competition with class.
Zimbabwe darts sensation, Oasis Sibanda proved her class by beating every opponent in her way to claim the Under 18 Girls singles gold, barely 24 hours after guiding the hosts to their first medal in the Under 18 Girls teams’ event. “We’re proud to have brought it home, proud to have won this for my nation. We hope we can build on this,” she said.
“We’re impressed with not just winning but successfully hosting this even though it’s our first time, the was phenomenal, scooping all those medals is such a wonderful experience, but we’ve just exhibited that Zimbabwe can attract many nations due to its vast talent in sport and above all the peaceful environment that can accommodate anyone and boost our sports tourism,” said AUSC Region V Darts president, Maynard Moyo. Zimbabwe also completed a clean sweep in the Under 15 Boys doubles and Under 18 Girls doubles where they clinched both gold and silver to make it six gold, six silver, four bronze, out of 12 events.
