Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
MWALIMU KUMBULA is just the other boy in the street; humble and unassuming, until one scratches the surface.
He is only 18, but his passion for football has changed lives in one of the poorer communities in the country — Epworth.
The Hellenic Academy A-Level learner loves the game so much that when he was just seven his father Musekiwa decided to sponsor an annual football tournament in his honour.
The tournament has grown in leaps and bounds and has produced big stars who include Ronald “Rooney” Chitiyo, Blessing Kagudu and Mighty Warriors stars Egness Tumbare and Talent Mukwanda among others.
“I am grateful to my father Musekiwa for finding it in his heart to sponsor a tournament in my honour,” said Mwalimu.
“I just love the game and it’s just in me. So, as I was growing up, I just heard my father telling me that he was to sponsor a yearly tournament in Epworth to honour me.
“I am now 19 and doing my Advanced Level studies at Hellenic College and the tournament is still running. It is something that I am very happy about.
“Look, this tournament has nurtured stars from Epworth like Ronald Chitiyo who has won several league titles with different teams in the country.
“It is also helping fight the drug and substance abuse scourge as well as crime and other societal ills like prostitution.”
The latest Mwalimu Kumbula tournament was staged at Kubatana Primary in Epworth last weekend with hundreds of youngsters showcasing their raw talent.
All participating teams across the U12, U14, U17 and open women walked away with trophies, medals and food hampers.
Mwalimu said his wish was to see a football team from Epworth playing in the Premier Soccer League.
He added: “That’s where we are heading. I am still at school and after I am done with my tertiary education, I think you will see a team from Epworth playing in the top-flight.
“That’s my wish and desire eventually. But I am very impressed with how the annual tournament has grown to be one of the biggest in the country. That fills my heart as an avid football lover.”
With the OlympAfrica Centre that was initially scheduled to be built in Epworth about seven years ago being revived, Mwalimu feels the development will go a long way in growing the game.
The OlympAfrica Centre was one of Epworth’s most illustrious sons, Musekiwa Kumbula’s brainchild.
The high-performance multi-disciplinary arena was to be funded by the OlympAfrica Foundation with US$500 000 having been pledged for the initial works.
However, the pledge was withdrawn after it took ages for the Epworth Local Board to vacate illegal settlers on the designated area.
But Musekiwa has remained determined to see the centre come to fruition.
“I love football in particular and sport in general.
“I made all those efforts to professionalise sport in Epworth where I was raised.
“I knew if we would have a centre like this one, we would have arrested a lot of menace in the area as well as produce world-class sports-persons.
“Unfortunately the centre wouldn’t be constructed back then. I am happy to hear that the Epworth Local Board has revived plans to put together the centre.”
He added: “I will always support Mwalimu’s dream and help kids from Epworth realise their dreams.
“Mwalimu is still at school but the way he pushes for football development in Epworth is incredible.”
The Mwalimu Kumbula tournament will, starting next year and resources permitting, incorporate other sporting disciplines like netball, basketball, rugby, boxing and hockey among others.
