malvernmugadzikwa
Don Makanyanga
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is a Saturday morning and Beloved Biza, like any other girl of her age in the dormitory town of Chitungwiza, is busy doing her household chores.
“Zvecricket anoziva kuti zvinoperera kucricket; kana auya pano anoziva kuti mwana,” said Beloved’s mother, Alerta Matanga, with a grin on her face, emphasising that she expects her daughter to behave like any other child at home.
Behind the parental rebuke, Matanga is a proud mother because of Beloved, who has been on a tear on the cricket pitch and is one of the fastest-rising young players.
At their home, one is welcomed by a big portrait of Beloved on top of a cabinet full of accolades, all belonging to the 15-year-old.
“We are contemplating buying another cabinet for all her accolades,” chips in Matanga.
The awards have all been accumulated this year.
With the cricketer making her international debut for the Lady Chevrons last month against the United States, the family and the whole of Chitungwiza are on cloud nine, celebrating her meteoric rise.
“We are excited about how Beloved is growing in cricket. Seeing her graduate from the Under-19 to the national team has brought so much joy to us. We cannot express how happy we are with what we are witnessing,” said Beloved’s father, Richman.
It was a double celebration for the athlete as she wrote her own piece of history by becoming one of the few players to bag a Player-of- the-Match award on her debut.
And the young cricketer was left speechless by the milestone.
“After being handed my first cap by Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, I just went onto the field and expressed myself,” she said. “It never crossed my mind that I was playing my debut; I just played my normal game.”
She ranks last month’s ICC U-19 World Cup Qualifier Player-of-the-Tournament accolade as her favourite.
“My favourite is that one,” she said, pointing to the ICC Player-of-the-Tournament award.
There were huge smiles all around as Beloved and her parents relived her rise in the sport.
She was baited into cricket by her friends, chief among them being Zimbabwe Under-19 skipper Kelis Ndlovhu.
Initially, her parents did not approve of her actions — putting sport ahead of her studies.
But that soon changed.
“At first, we did not approve of her doing cricket or any other sport. All we wanted was for her to concentrate on her studies. But she remained stubborn until we felt we needed to support her,” said Matanga.
A few years down the line, Beloved was called up to be part of the Zimbabwe Under-19 camp and soon made her debut.
“I remember the other day, when Beloved returned from school in a jovial mood, before breaking the story of being picked for a training camp with the national team (Under-19).
“We were very excited about the news and couldn’t believe that our daughter would be representing the country soon,” said Richman.
Beloved has since managed to allay fears that sport will affect her studies.
Her exploits on the cricket field have seen her being awarded a scholarship by Herentals College owner Innocent Benza.
Herentals launched a cricket academy largely due to her success on the pitch.
“Sport is a vehicle for moulding responsible citizens. At Herentals College, we believe in empowering our students with both educational and sporting skills, and Beloved is one of the rare gems,” said Benza.
“She is a gifted young lady, who has done well, both in sport and education, and in order to support her dream, we felt the need to award her an academic scholarship up to tertiary level, while we also support her sporting talent.
“This is not only for Beloved but it’s an encouragement to all students that we are ready to support them to achieve their dreams.”
Harbouring dreams of seeing their daughter becoming a medical doctor, Beloved’s parents are grateful for the gesture by Herentals College.
“Beloved has managed to balance her schoolwork and sport,” said Richman. “We are indebted to Herentals College for their support. We believe, with a scholarship, our daughter will not have any disturbances and will achieve her dream of becoming a medical doctor.
“We are happy to be part of this initiative and will also play a part in the fight against drug and substance abuse among the youths.”
Online Reporter