By Fanuel Chinowaita
HARARE — Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Manicaland Province has ended a near-decade wait for medals at the Commissioner-General of Police’s Sports Gala after recording an improved performance at the 2026 national competitions.
Although Harare Province emerged as the overall winner in the teams category, Manicaland produced one of the notable performances of the gala, winning medals across athletics, swimming, squash, rugby and first aid — a significant turnaround for a province that had gone for about 10 years without podium finishes at this level.
In athletics, Manicaland collected three gold, five silver and nine bronze medals, earning 42 points. The province secured gold in the 100m hurdles, long jump and hurdles, while silver medals came in the 400m hurdles, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 4x100m, men’s 4x400m and women’s 4x100m relay events. The province also added nine bronze medals across individual and relay events.
Swimming was another major success for Manicaland, with the province collecting medals in several individual events and relay competitions. Manicaland also finished second in the men’s 4x50m medley, taking silver behind Harare, and secured bronze in the 4x50m mixed medley.
The province’s resurgence was equally evident in squash, where Manicaland won medals in the men’s doubles and veterans categories, while its men’s team secured silver and the women’s team took bronze.
In rugby, Manicaland’s men’s team won gold, while the women’s side secured silver. The province also dominated several individual tournament awards, further underlining its strong showing in the competition.
Manicaland added another gold medal in First Aid, rounding off a campaign that saw the province compete strongly across a wide range of disciplines.
Speaking on the province’s performance, Manicaland Police said the games were important not only for sporting competition but also for strengthening the organisation, noting that participation helps improve officers’ physical fitness, teamwork, discipline and morale.
The province said the competitions provide officers with an opportunity to interact, build team spirit and maintain the physical conditioning required in policing, while also identifying and developing sporting talent within the force.
The medals and trophies were awarded by Commissioner-General of Police Stephen Mutamba during the closing ceremony of the 2026 Commissioner-General of Police’s Sports Gala.
For ZRP Manicaland, the results represent more than an improved position on the national sporting stage. After nearly a decade without medals at this level, the province has returned to the podium with a diverse medal haul spanning five disciplines.
The 2026 gala has therefore provided a major boost to police sport in Manicaland and demonstrated the province’s renewed competitiveness at national level.
