By Chenayi Maponga and Thulani Mtomba
The Annual Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) Sports Gala is a highly anticipated event that takes place every year, attracting hundreds of participants and spectators from all ZIMRA regions. This year, the three-day event was held in the City of Queens and Kings, aiming to foster staff engagement and togetherness through sport. The gala was held under the theme "My Health, My Wealth."
The event kicked off with an opening dinner on August 29, 2025, at the United College of Education in Bulawayo. Speaking at the official opening, the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr. Batsirai Chadzingwa, who represented the Commissioner General, emphasized that competitors should seize the opportunity for social interaction and self-fulfillment in the pursuit of sporting excellence. The night was ablaze with several entertainment outfits including the ZIMRA Bulawayo and Harare choral competitions, with Bulawayo emerging the victors.
Athletes competed in various sporting disciplines, including soccer, darts, volleyball, basketball, netball, pool, tug of war, chess, lawn tennis and a walkathon. There was a crop of new talent, showcasing a lot of energy and enthusiasm. It will go down memory lane that runners like Simbarashe Mhurwa from Gweru and Kumbirai Makandire and Tadiwa Jani from Kurima are talented sprinters. Throughout their races, the three ran like the wind, dashing across the field like bullets out of Iran and in turn leaving everyone behind.
The atmosphere was electric, with live music playing at the White City Sports Stadium, creating a soundtrack that motivated the athletes and entertained the crowd.
The first race was the managers’ race, where the leading runners began to separate themselves from the pack, demonstrating incredible speed and endurance. Mrs Gamuchirayi Makwangudze emerged the winner exhibiting tact and determination. In the male category, Mr Henry Nyamuromba scooped first prize in an interesting race for the mature and focused.
Among the marathon runners, Mr. Tonderayi Shonhiwa, Procurement Management Unit Director, who trains tirelessly for marathons and is a silver medalist at the popular Comrades Ultra marathon, showed outstanding prowess when it comes to running. The crowd erupted in cheers as he passed by, his face a mask of focus, resilience and determination. Meanwhile, other runners like Delight Mutandi embraced the challenge with smiles and camaraderie, inspiring one another along the way.
In all the other disciplines, teams exhibited strong teamwork and strategy, as each member had to perform their best to ensure their team’s success. Families, colleagues and friends joined in celebrating participants’ achievements with, singing, dancing, high-fives and hugs. Spectators gathered in droves creating a vibrant sea of colour and sound. The cheers grew louder as runners and other players for volleyball, basketball, tug-of war, darts, pool and chess participants demonstrated great determination and focus.
The sense of accomplishment was palpable as participants from all disciplines made their mark. The support team at the closing ceremony, will tell you a different story of revenue officers. My conclusion in all this is that drumming, singing and dancing is more than just fun. It is a powerful mental exercise. The thunderous, drang and rhythm offered by this vibrant group was nothing short of amusement, enjoyment and real art.
At the closing ceremony on Sunday, medals and trophies were awarded and participants shared their stories of perseverance and triumph. The Commissioner General, Ms. Regina Chinamasa, joined her ZIMRA team on Sunday to present the winners with their awards.
The ZIMRA Annual Sports Gala is not just a test of physical stamina and endurance; it is a celebration of team spirit and the joy of sport. It brings people together, fostering a sense of unity and shared achievement that resonates long after the games, providing athletes with thrilling competitions and captivating performances.
Ultimately, the best-performing athletes are selected to represent ZIMRA and Zimbabwe at the Southern African Inter-Revenue Administration Games (SAIRAG), annual sporting events where regional revenue authorities like ZIMRA compete to promote unity, teamwork, and healthy competition. The 2025 event was hosted by ZIMRA in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the next edition in 2026 will be held in Namibia.
