Sport in Zimbabwe
Encyclopedia
Zimbabwe
has a great sporting tradition and has produced many world recognised sports names and personalities. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Zimbabwe, although rugby union and field hockey also have a following, traditionally among the white minority. Football (soccer) is also played widely. Although Zimbabwe has produced many athletes that have competed for Zimbabwe there are also a large number of athletes who learned their sport in Zimbabwe but have chosen to represent other countries.
The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
(known as CBZ Premier Soccer League) is the top professional division in Zimbabwe. There are 16 teams in the division with Monomotapa United F.C.
from Harare
leading the table as champions in 2008. There are two main cup competitions played in Zimbabwe, both are knockout tournaments, the first is the CBZ FA Cup
(or Zimbabwe Cup) won by CAPS United
in 2008. The CBZ FA Cup was first created as the Southern Rhodesia
Castle Cup in 1962. The other major cup is the Zimbabwean Independence Trophy
created as a clubs competition in 1983. Current holders of the trophy are Shooting Stars F.C..
Zimbabwe has eight main stadiums where football is played, the largest being the multi-use National Sports Stadium.
Notable Zimbabwean footballers are Benjamin "Benjani" Mwaruwari
who plays for Blackburn Rovers F.C.
as a Striker
and is the current Zimbabwe national team captain, having taken over the captaincy from Peter Ndlovu
. Ndlovu is also a notable Zimbabwean footballer having spent twelve seasons playing for top English football clubs. Another well known Zimbabwean footballer is Bruce Grobbelaar
, a goalkeeper
, who played for the national team, but most notably for Liverpool F.C.
from 1980 to 1994.
is a significant sport in Zimbabwe, dating back to the late nineteenth century. Zimbabwe
has been at the Rugby World Cup
twice. The country has also produced a number of significant rugby players, although there has been a tendency for many of them to play in South Africa
.
in Moscow, and the other seven by swimmer
Kirsty Coventry
—three at the 2004 Summer Olympics
in Athens and four at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing. Coventry won two Gold Medals, four Silver and one Bronze.
Zimbabwe has also done well in the Commonwealth Games
and All-Africa Games
in swimming
, with Coventry winning 11 gold medals in the different competitions.
and the Davis Cup
in tennis, most notably with the Black Family, which comprises Wayne Black
, Byron Black
and Cara Black
. Zimbabwe's tennis players have also competed in most of the Olympic Games
since Independence in 1980.
has been played in Zimbabwe (at the time Rhodesia
) since 1948. 1997 saw Zimbabwe become the World Champions when they went unbeaten against Australia
, New Zealand
and South Africa
in Pietermaritzburg
, South Africa
. Zimbabwe came fourth out of eight countries at the inaugural World Cup in 2003. Zimbabwe also won the Polocrosse Africa Cup in 2004. There are currently an estimated 156 playing members from 10 clubs. At the sports playing peak in 1996 there were 420 players. The decrease in Polocrosse players is due primarily to the Zimbabwean diaspora
and on-going economic and political crisis in the country. Polocrosse is often played by people from a rural background and due to the land reforms in Zimbabwe
many of these people have left the country. Polocrosse-international.org
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
has a great sporting tradition and has produced many world recognised sports names and personalities. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Zimbabwe, although rugby union and field hockey also have a following, traditionally among the white minority. Football (soccer) is also played widely. Although Zimbabwe has produced many athletes that have competed for Zimbabwe there are also a large number of athletes who learned their sport in Zimbabwe but have chosen to represent other countries.
Football
The Zimbabwe national football team, nicknamed The Warriors, have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations twice (in 2004 and 2006) but have never passed the group stages.The Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League
Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League, also known as Castle Lager Premier Soccer League due to sponsorship reasons, is the top professional division of the Zimbabwe Football Association, it was created in 1980, as a successor to the 1962 formed Rhodesia National Football League.The League consists of 16...
(known as CBZ Premier Soccer League) is the top professional division in Zimbabwe. There are 16 teams in the division with Monomotapa United F.C.
Monomotapa United F.C.
Monomotapa United is a football club based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The club plays in the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League.-Squad:...
from Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
leading the table as champions in 2008. There are two main cup competitions played in Zimbabwe, both are knockout tournaments, the first is the CBZ FA Cup
CBZ Cup
The Cup of Zimbabwe is the top knockout tournament of the Zimbabwean football. It was created in 1962 as the Cup of Southern Rhodesia and was known between 1965 and 1980 as the Cup of Rhodesia...
(or Zimbabwe Cup) won by CAPS United
CAPS United
CAPS United F.C. is a Zimbabwean soccer club based in Harare.Formed in 1973, the team rose to prominence in the late 1970s and early eighties when it was home to some of the finest ever Zimbabwean players. These include the feted striker Shacky "Mr...
in 2008. The CBZ FA Cup was first created as the Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
Castle Cup in 1962. The other major cup is the Zimbabwean Independence Trophy
Zimbabwean Independence Trophy
The Zimbabwean Independence Trophy is an Zimbabwean association football knockout tournament. It was created as a clubs competition in 1983.- Winners :Previous winners are:*1983 : Dynamos FC *1984 : Dynamos FC...
created as a clubs competition in 1983. Current holders of the trophy are Shooting Stars F.C..
Zimbabwe has eight main stadiums where football is played, the largest being the multi-use National Sports Stadium.
Notable Zimbabwean footballers are Benjamin "Benjani" Mwaruwari
Benjani Mwaruwari
Benjamin Mwaruwari , known as Benjani, is a Zimbabwean footballer who currently plays for Portsmouth in the Football League Championship, where he plays as a striker....
who plays for Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
as a Striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
and is the current Zimbabwe national team captain, having taken over the captaincy from Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu
Peter Ndlovu is a Zimbabwean footballer, who plays as a striker.-Coventry City:Ndlovu was originally spotted by John Sillett, prior to his official signing from Highlanders by Terry Butcher in July 1991...
. Ndlovu is also a notable Zimbabwean footballer having spent twelve seasons playing for top English football clubs. Another well known Zimbabwean footballer is Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce Grobbelaar
Bruce David Grobbelaar is a former football goalkeeper and manager.He played for a number of clubs in a career which spanned for more than 20 years at professional level, most notably Liverpool during their dominant period in the 1980s and early 1990s.-Early years:In his teenage years, Grobbelaar...
, a goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
, who played for the national team, but most notably for Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
from 1980 to 1994.
Rugby union
Rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
is a significant sport in Zimbabwe, dating back to the late nineteenth century. Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national rugby union team
The Zimbabwe national rugby union team is the rugby union team representing Zimbabwe. They are considered to be a third tier rugby union nation...
has been at the Rugby World Cup
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition organised by the International Rugby Board and held every four years since 1987....
twice. The country has also produced a number of significant rugby players, although there has been a tendency for many of them to play in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
Olympics and other games
Zimbabwe has won eight Olympic medals, one (team medal) in field hockey at the (boycotted) 1980 Summer OlympicsZimbabwe at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Zimbabwe competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, USSR. The nation, previously known as Rhodesia, had competed at three Games under that name.- Gold:...
in Moscow, and the other seven by swimmer
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Coventry
Kirsty Leigh Coventry is a Zimbabwean swimmer and world record holder. She attended and swam competitively for Auburn University in Alabama, in the United States...
—three at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Zimbabwe at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Zimbabwe competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Swimmer Kirsty Coventry won three medals. Zimbabwe had only ever won one Olympic medal before .-Gold:...
in Athens and four at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Zimbabwe at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Zimbabwe sent a team to compete at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.Zimbabwe sent thirteen athletes to Beijing, competing in swimming, athletics, tennis, cycling, triathlon, and rowing...
in Beijing. Coventry won two Gold Medals, four Silver and one Bronze.
Zimbabwe has also done well in the Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
and All-Africa Games
All-Africa Games
The All-Africa Games, sometimes called the African Games or the Pan African Games, are a regional multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa...
in swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, with Coventry winning 11 gold medals in the different competitions.
Tennis
Zimbabwe has also competed at WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
and the Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
in tennis, most notably with the Black Family, which comprises Wayne Black
Wayne Black
Wayne Hamilton Black is a former professional male tennis player from Zimbabwe.Black is the son of Don and Velia Black and the brother of Cara Black and Byron Black, also professional tennis players. He attended the University of Southern California and was an All-American in singles and doubles...
, Byron Black
Byron Black
Byron Black is a former touring professional tennis and Davis Cup player for Zimbabwe.- Biography :He is the brother of Cara and Wayne Black, both professional tennis players...
and Cara Black
Cara Black
Cara Black is a professional female tennis player from Zimbabwe. She has won 7 singles titles and 63 women's doubles titles. She has won all four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles and three of the four Grand Slam titles in women's doubles. She is currently ranked World No. 28 in women's doubles...
. Zimbabwe's tennis players have also competed in most of the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
since Independence in 1980.
Polocrosse
PolocrossePolocrosse
Polocrosse it is a team sport that is played all over the world. It is a combination of polo and lacrosse. It is played outside, on a field , on horseback. Each rider uses a cane stick to which is attached a racquet head with a loose, thread net, in which the ball is carried. The ball is made of...
has been played in Zimbabwe (at the time Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
) since 1948. 1997 saw Zimbabwe become the World Champions when they went unbeaten against Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
in Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Zimbabwe came fourth out of eight countries at the inaugural World Cup in 2003. Zimbabwe also won the Polocrosse Africa Cup in 2004. There are currently an estimated 156 playing members from 10 clubs. At the sports playing peak in 1996 there were 420 players. The decrease in Polocrosse players is due primarily to the Zimbabwean diaspora
Zimbabwean diaspora
The Zimbabwean diaspora refers to the diaspora of immigrants from the nation of Zimbabwe. The term Rhodesian diaspora only describes a specific subset of former Rhodesian/Southern Rhodesian residents who left the country during or after the Zimbabwean War of Liberation.-History:Temporary labour...
and on-going economic and political crisis in the country. Polocrosse is often played by people from a rural background and due to the land reforms in Zimbabwe
Land reform in Zimbabwe
Land reform in Zimbabwe officially began in 1979 with the signing of the Lancaster House Agreement, an effort to more equitably distribute land between the historically disenfranchised blacks and the minority-whites who ruled Zimbabwe from 1890 to 1979...
many of these people have left the country. Polocrosse-international.org