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Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) held their annual rugby awards last Friday at the city’s ceremonial home of rugby Hartsfield Rugby Grounds where Matabeleland Warriors backline player took home the top accolade.
The event was graced by renowned rugby personnel from around the city like Wesley Mbanje, Silethokuhle Ndlovu, BMRFB chairperson Thembelani Ncube, BMRFB director of rugby Gilbert Nyamutsamba and Zimbabwe Rugby Union South vice president Martin Shone.
The players present at the ceremony were advised to keep working hard and never give up as all their dreams will come to fruition and for those who did not win, a nomination was proof enough that they did well throughout the season.
With the Covid-19 pandemic having brought sporting events to a standstill, the guest of honor, Shone said it was a great initiative by BMFRB to hold the event.
“What is also heartening about this event is that it is among the first of such after a long time during which we could not gather because it was no longer good to do so, but because the Covid-19 pandemic had put paid to our getting together.
“I therefore commend the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Rugby Football Board for being alive to the possibilities afforded by the post-isolation scenario and putting this awards ceremony together. That is as it should be,” said Shone.
Quoting the great Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe who said “If you don’t like someone’s story, write your own”, Shone said BMRFB have written their own story by bringing people together on a Friday evening.
The local rugby season was brought to a close by one of the biggest events hosted this year, Unforgettable Sevens Rugby Festival a fortnight ago, which brought Hartsfield back to life.
List of winners
Rookie of the Year – Bukhosi Nyoni
Women’s Player of the Year – Nomqhele Mpofu
Men’s Rookie of the Year – Panashe Ruvanda
Sevens Rookie of the Year – Brandon Ncube
Forward of the Year U20 – Kwanele Sola
Women Forward of the Year – Renia Phiri
Men’s Forward of the Year – Irvine Nduwa
Backline Player of the Year U20 – Mthabisi Sibanda
Women Backline Player of the Year – Lovelight Fusire
Men’s Backline Player of the Year – Exalted Tomu
Appreciation Award – Melford Matarirano (women’s team manager), Newman Hlatshwayo (women’s coach), George Mukorera (U20s rugby), Ruben Kumpasa (senior men rugby), Busani Ncube (Sevens Rugby)
Development coach of the Year – Newman Hlatshwayo
Administrator of the Year – Busani Ncube
Referee of the Year – Munashe Mabvudza
Coach of the Year – Ruben Kumpasa
Team of the Year – Matabeleland Warriors
Player of the Year – Exalted Tomu.
— @ brandon_malvin
Online Reporter