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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
RUGBY enthusiasts in Mutare will be in for a treat when the inaugural edition of the SDG Contractors Mutare Sports Club Rugby Awards get underway tomorrow (Saturday) at the eastern border city’s ceremonial home of the game.
In a year which saw the sensational return to action after the Covid-19 pandemic induced inactivity, the SDG Contractors Mutare Sports Club Rugby Awards will surely be a befitting wrap up act to an eventful season.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairman, Moss Kapumha said: “We are using a WhatsApp line to vote for the outstanding players and the MSC administration will do the adjudication. It is a transparent process where we are expecting the best players of the season to walk away with awards in their respective categories.”
Kapumha heartily thanked the awards sponsors, SDG Contractors for the gesture.
“We owe it to SDG Contractors for choosing to partner us in this initiative. This is one gesture that we hope fellow former Mutare Sports Club players will also emulate and partner the game for its development in the province,” said Kapumha.
For the player of the year category, all eyes will be on Mutare Sports Club captain, Jones Dedza, Tadiwa Nyamundanda and Keneth Murefu who were nominated for the coveted gong.
Forward player of the year award has Dedza, Nyamundanda and Tatenda Gwanzura as the nominees.
Dedza’s inclusion on the elite list is no surprise, given his sterling performances that made him a vital cog in both Mutare Sports Club and provincial teams.
The talented forward is credited for being in the top five scorers of the inter provincials. His main competitor, Nyamundanda also had a fine season that saw him being part of the Cheetahs Academy squad during the Zambezi Challenge Cup.
In fact, Nyamundanda has been a revelation for both the Cheetahs and the provincial Sevens teams.
17-year-old Dean Makweche, Martin Jumburu and Tadiwa Muchinguri will battle it out for the junior player of the year award.
Many will be expecting the gifted Makweche to lift the award given his contribution to the provincial team as a scrum half at his tender age, but it will not come easy given the impressive performances from his competitor, Muchinguri.
There will also be a players player of the year award which will be voted for by the players themselves.
Backline player of the year award nominees are Tutsirayi Tsorayi, Kenneth Murefu and Tafadzwa Chipuriro, while Nyamundanda, Dedza and Tinotenda Marara were nominated for the Sevens player of the year award.
Nyamundanda, Makweche and Tadiwa Muchinguri are the nominees for the most improved player of the year award.
Lisa Mtetwa, Elsi Bhasvi and Audrey Chirengo are the nominees for the ladies player of the year award, while MSC Ladies Sevens player of the year award nominees are Rutendo Makwambeni, Koraine Machipanda and Mtetwa.
Generally, the game of rugby has been on a developmental trajectory in Manicaland, with teams from the eastern border province partaking in many inter provincial as well as inter club competitions.
Online Reporter