The exciting and highly successful Health and Safety gala ended on a high note on Sunday 24 August 2014. Most participants expressed a lot of appreciation for the work that was done by the Authority in organising such an event. The gala was running under the catchy theme: “Work with Pride. Put Health and Safety in Every Stride.”

 

 

The flagship gala – which is in the second year running – was officially opened by the Commissioner General, Mr Gershem Pasi, at a highly electric and entertaining choral competition function. . In his opening remarks, the Commissioner General reengineered the theme saying: “Work with Pride. Put Health and Safety in Every Corruption-free Stride.” This was in apparent reference to the Authority’s stance of zero tolerance to corruption.”

 

Four groups – namely Kurima, Mutare, Bulawayo and Masvingo – locked horns in the choral competitions. Reports suggested that Beitbridge pulled out at the eleventh hour due to lack of adequate preparation. However, this did not dampen the mood as all groups gave their best. Kurima eventually won the tightly contested competition piping Bulawayo into second place followed by Masvingo and Mutare respectively.

 

In netball, it boiled down to a dog fight between Kurima and Bulawayo. Determined as they were, Kurima found the going tough and they bit the dust in the nail-biting final. The Bulawayo Queens, once again emerged the victors.

 

However, it was in the soccer field where most of the matches never ran short of drama, with teams accusing the match officials of biased officiating. In most cases it was just a case of sour grapes. The biggest disappointment of the tournament was Kurima Dortmund, which, despite all the hype, were bundled out in the first round. In the end Bulawayo emerged the champions after beating the equally competitive Masvingo outfit which was as agile as it was skillful. The Head Office soccer team scooped the bronze medal.

 

The talking point of the tournament was the immaculately dressed Bulawayo coaches who donned new suits in a spectacular professional coaching fashion. Coaches for other teams were seen bitterly complaining as to why their own teams had failed to cater for their professional dressing. All the jest was done in truly camaraderie and friendly spirit which punctuated the whole tournament.

 

Other sporting activities that saw competitors fight for honours included darts, chess, volleyball, snooker, athletics, tug-of-war among other sports. The ceremony rounded off with a price giving ceremony where successful teams were awarded with medals and trophies.

Kurima netball team celebrate with their fans after making it into the finals of the Netball tournament