ZIMBABWE will be represented by a strong team of 38 athletes and officials at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games that are set to run from August 14 to 26 in Singapore.

Team Zimbabwe — that comprises 27 athletes and 11 officials — for these Games was unveiled by the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee at a function held at their headquarters in Harare yesterday. Zimbabwe will take part in five disciplines — soccer, athletics, triathlon, cycling and equestrian.

The national Under-15 soccer side have the largest number of athletes in the team as they will travel to Singapore with 18 players who will be under the guidance of coach Dumaza Dube. Former Warriors midfielder Edzai Kasinauyo will be the Under-15 soccer team’s manager during the Singapore Games.

Cycling has the second largest number of athletes in Team Zimbabwe — four — and they will compete at the Youth Olympic Games under Marcel Marshal who will travel to Singapore as their coach and manager.

Athletics and triathlon will each be represented by two athletes at the Games while equestrian has one competitor. Promising young sprinter Tinashe Matanga, who did the nation proud by winning two gold medals in the 100 and 200m events at the first African Youth Games, which were recently held in Rabat, Morocco, will once again carry Zimbabwe’s hopes in track events in Singapore.

Matanga is joined in the two-member Zimbabwe athletics team for Singapore by female middle-distance runner Sithulisiwe Zhou, who also took part in the African Youth Games in Rabat.

Four young cyclists — Tyron Mackie, Shaylene Brown, Jonathan Thackray and Nyasha Lungu — will be the country’s flag bearers in the cycling event in Singapore.

Horse rider Penelope Crockart is the country’s sole medal hope in the equestrian competition during the 13-day Games. Crockart will be joined by two triathletes — Andrea Brown and Boyd Littleford.

The Zimbabwe team for the first Youth Olympic Games is scheduled to leave for Singapore on Monday next week and will travel to the Asian country with the vice-president of ZOC, Busi Chindove, who will be their chef de mission. The team is scheduled to go into a pre-departure camp in Harare tomorrow to prepare for their expected departure for Singapore next Monday.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony yesterday, ZOC president Admire Masenda said the Youth Olympic Games are not focusing on competition only but on the Culture and Education Programme and athletes and officials will stay in Singapore for the entire duration.

"The Olympic Movement, in response to social issues of obesity and other health disorders among the young people of the world, decided that the Youth Olympic Games would be a suitable medium to assist in tackling these issues. This decision was taken in 2007 in Guatemala. Focus of these Games is beyond the usual framework of competition. The IOC is pushing for sport to be human and responsible. It is therefore not surprising that the theme of the inaugural Games is promotion of friendship, excellence and respect among our young people. The Games are unique in their nature and format in that they place as much value on the Culture and Education Programme as they do in actual competition."

"This is why all the athletes and officials will be required to stay for the entire duration of the Games so that they become an inseparable part of this unique Culture and Education Programme whose emphasis will be on the three Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect," said Masenda.

"We, as the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee are proud to be leading a team to represent not just our humble country, but the entire continent. This coming as a reward for hard work, honest effort and impeccable professionalism.

"Apart from qualifying in the sports of athletics, triathlon and equestrian, we received universality invitation to be part of the unique global experience in the sports of cycling and triathlon with our football team being nominated by Caf and approved by Fifa to represent Africa as a reward for Fair Play," said Masenda.

The ZOC president said the Games present countries that have not had the chance to qualify for major international events an opportunity to also participate at the event.

"In the spirit of Olympism and promotion of universality, such countries had to be inspired and motivated to take part at such a global showcase without dominance from renowned powerhouses.

"As such, the Youth Olympic Games are designed to accommodate such countries and push the key issues of global friendship and respect of humanity, environment and fundamental ethical principles," Masenda said.

Team Zimbabwe was also presented with a full set of uniforms, tracksuits, casual wear and kit bags, which they will use during their stay in Singapore.

Local mining giant Zimplats donated the kits through their head of corporate affairs Busi Chindove who is also the ZOC vice-president.

Zimbabwe Youth Olympic Games Team

Football: Davidson Chipfupi, Benard Donovan, Edward Mwanza, Keith Murera, Ben Chikanda, Stanley Dube, Devylin Kyle Hencil, Lucky Ndlela, Mncedisi Gumede, Albert Matova, Prince Gambe, Mgcini Pritchard Sibanda, Stanford Chavingira, Liberty Ngorima, Fortune Sibanda, Tapiwa Chikaka, Ackim Mpofu, Albert Kusemwa.

Coach: Dumaza Dube. Team manager: Edzai Kasinauyo.

Cycling: Tyron Mackie, Shaylene Brown, Jonathan Thackray, Nyasha Lungu.

Coach/Manager: Marcel Marshal.

Athletics: Tinashe Mutanga, Sithulisiwe Zhou.

Coach/Manager: Tendayi Tagara.

Triathlon: Andrea Brown, Boyd Littleford.

Coach/Manager: Rory Mackie.

Equestrian: Yara Hanssen.

Coach/Manager: Penelope Crockart.