adminNgoni Dapira Sports Correspondent
Even the rain could not dampen the high spirits and electric mood of local and regional rugby enthusiasts who thronged National Sports Stadium to watch Super Rugby action first-hand.
EVEN though the gigantic National Sports Stadium was not filled to capacity last Saturday, with only an estimated crowd of slightly over 16 000 attending the inaugural Lafarge Zimbabwe Champions Cup, the experience will surely go down in history as an eye-opener that truly depicted the popularity of the game of rugby in the country.
Even the rain could not dampen the high spirits and electric mood of local and regional rugby enthusiasts who thronged National Sports Stadium to watch Super Rugby action first-hand.
The usual fashion parade of latest designers and swag attires synonymous with rugby events coloured the stadium, while some staunch fans of the Vodacom Blue Bulls even coloured their faces blue.
While the pendulum had been tilted in favour of the Blue Bulls to win, it was the Toyota Cheetahs who surprisingly won 28-10 and dominated throughout the match after taking a 14-3 lead by half-time.
This was probably because key, seasoned Bulls players like Jesse Kriel, Handre Pollard and Jan Serfontein were benched to try out new signings in the pre-season friendly clash.
The Bulls are one of the most successful franchises in Super Rugby having won three titles and are only second to New Zealand’s Crusaders, which speaks volumes about the quality of their rugby.
The organiser of the event, sports marketing consultancy, Kyros Sports, director, Kudakwashe “Kisset” Chirengende, said he was impressed by the energy in the stadium which showed that the sport had a great following and potential locally if professionalised.
The 30-year-old Chirengende, who is a Mutare Boys’ High School old boy, in his hey-days had a stint with the national Under-21 side before hanging his boots due to injury.
He said he was passionate about rugby and his long-term plans were to transform the sport to commercial and professional levels just like in South Africa.
“For us (Kyros Sports), the intention and the message were sent out loud. The energy on the field and the energy from the thousands who thronged the stadium proved that there is a great following of rugby in the country. We wanted to convince sports policy makers that rugby has great potential if well institutionalised and professionalised,” said Chirengende.
He, however, said roping in a new investor, the multi-national cement and construction firm, Lafarge Zimbabwe and traditional local sports bankroller, Old Mutual was not a stroll in the park.
“I think the biggest lesson for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union will be on how to sell the local club rugby league to sponsors and give them the commercial mileage. In the case of Blue Bulls versus Cheetahs, those are big super rugby teams and any big corporate wants to be associated with the event,” he said, adding that there was need to reach such levels of selling the local club rugby league brand and draw big sponsors, remunerate players and operate professionally.
“But I know our economic situation is also a letdown at the moment as several companies are operating below capacity. But it should begin with sound policies and transparency in the administration of the game,” said Chirengende.
Zimpapers group marketing and business development officer, Tapiwa Mandimutsira, who was part of the crowd at the rugby showcase, fully clad in his Bulls jersey, said local club rugby had potential to reach such levels.
“The talent locally is there, but it is the policies and structures that are upsetting the anticipated development of the sport. Corporate sponsors will bankroll sports that give them mileage commercially, especially when we talk of large sums of money above $100 000. ZRU has to go back to the drawing board and resolve its internal administrative squabbles to win over traditional sponsors and new ones like Lafarge that was roped in by Kyros Sports,” said Mandimutsira.
Kyros Sports had budgeted $200 000 for the event, but they said they failed to fundraise the entire amount and had to work with a constricted budget.
“As Kyros Sports we are aiming to make this an annual event. It should be something regular for us to have Super Rugby teams playing in Zimbabwe every year to inspire local rugby players. We did well for our first show, but I am sure we will improve next time,” said Chirengende.
Several Mutare rugby enthusiasts also drove to watch the match, the likes of ZRU Manicaland chairman, Richard Chiwandire, ZRU Manicaland secretary, Mackenzie Munetsi, Hillcrest rugby coach, Chris Mhike, Mutare Boys’ High rugby coach, George Mufute and Mutare Sports Club rugby team chairman, Moss Kapumha among many others including some MSC players.
Online Reporter