By Mntungwa Mthokozisi
The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Ladies Basketball Team defied expectations to win the gold medal at the 2026 Chancellor of Zimbabwe State Universities Games, held at the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) Mashava Campus.
In what has become one of the tournament's most inspiring stories, the NUST side, made up predominantly of netball players with little formal basketball experience, produced a string of remarkable performances, culminating in a memorable victory over Midlands State University (MSU) in the final.
Despite lacking extensive knowledge of basketball rules and tactics, the team relied on the skills they had mastered in netball: accurate passing, effective movement, disciplined defending and clinical shooting. Their determination, teamwork and adaptability proved enough to overcome more experienced opponents throughout the competition.
One of the players, Madzimai, attributed the team's success to their netball background.
"Our strength was based on our netball skills. That's what kept us going because we don't really know all the basketball rules. We simply played basketball using our netball instincts, although there was still a lot we didn't know," she said.
A key figure in NUST's remarkable campaign was Thandeka, the team's only experienced basketball player. Her understanding of the game, tactical awareness and leadership proved invaluable as she guided the team from the group stages through to the final.
Thandeka's composure and basketball intelligence complemented the team's determination, helping transform a group of accomplished netball players into basketball champions.
By blending their netball fundamentals with unwavering determination, the team demonstrated that teamwork, belief and commitment can overcome even the greatest odds.
NUST's triumph will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout moments of the 2026 Chancellor of Zimbabwe State Universities Games, bringing pride and honour to the university and inspiring future generations of student athletes, and standing out, not just as a leader in academia but sport as well.