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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
FOR a small farming town that has been known for everything else apart from the game of rugby, the emergence of 12-year-old Tanatswa Chimuriwo as a promising wing attack is in itself a living testimony of abundant, yet untapped talent in the length and breadth of the country.
The Chipinge Junior Grade Seven learner, Chimuriwo, was exceptional from zone, circuit, district, province, and all the way to the national competitions in Harare.
He was selected into the national team to represent Zimbabwe in the COSASA Games for schools in the Southern African region.
Blessing Changorora, a teacher at Dangare Primary School in Mutare, who is a rugby coach for the school and the provincial team, did not mince his words in describing the exceptional rugby skills exuded by young Chimuriwo.
“That boy is exceptional. Carrying the ball, he is agile and has a great side-step. With tackles, he has precision. I made him play the wing position and he nailed it.
“With such a player, what is needed is to harness his ability. Avail game time, and he will do wonders. His awareness of space is great. Team work is also good as he displays a lot of well-timed passes to teammates,” said Changorora, himself a seasoned rugby player for Mutare outfit, Old Crestonians who once turned out for Mutare Sports Club rugby.
For the COSASA Games, Chimuriwo was elected along with his fellow teammates from Manicaland, Thulani Ndebele of Zamba Primary School and Romeo Siduli of Dangare Primary School, both based in Mutare.
As the national runners-up, they received medals.
The COSASA Games were initially slatted for Madagascar, but they will be held at a date and country to be announced.
Online Reporter