Christmas for sportspeople

Sports Reporters
THE world celebrates Christmas today which is the day Jesus Christ was born and as such, many people will spend the day with their families and loved ones.The festive season is a time for people to relax, reflect on the past year as well as plan for the coming one.

It is fact that this is a time when people shift focus from their day-to-day activities and celebrate the day in different ways.
Zimbabean sports personalities, who are on a break as well, have said they are dedicating today to their families.

“It has been a good year and what I will do is host my children at my farm along Nkayi Road. One of my sons is bringing his family from Harare while another one is here from England and this is a time to enjoy the presence of my children,” said Highlanders FC board member Luke Mnkandla.

Bosso chairman Peter Dube who saw his team ending a seven-year major cup drought will be with his family at his Kumalo residence.
Highlanders had last won a major trophy in 2006 under the leadership of Ernest “Maphepha” Sibanda with Methembe Ndlovu as the team’s coach. Bosso capped their 2013 season with a Mbada Diamonds Cup win over How Mine in the final.

“This is the only time you get to relax and temporarily forget about other work related things and focus on the family. Ngizatshona ngisidla iKhisimusi ngakithi,” said the man who is a staunch Liverpool supporter.

Jerry Sibanda, Highlanders’ treasurer is going to his farm in Inyathi while the club secretary Andrew Tapela is at his rural Plumtree home.

Businessman and sports personality, Mandla Moyo also said he will be at his farm with the family.
“We will be home, this time as a happy people after the team did us proud by winning the Mbada Diamonds Cup. It was an early Christmas present for us and we are saying congratulations to the boys and the entire Highlanders family,” said Moyo.

Prominent lawyer Tawengwa Hara who is also the Premiership board member, competitions and Chicken Inn FC secretary said his children will have him the whole day.

“You know I have been working hard throughout the year, from court cases to football administration. I am grateful to the Lord who has guided me this far. Remember I was in Nairobi, Kenya in September attending a SuperSport facilitated course when gunmen attacked Westgate Shopping Mall which was a few blocks away from where we were staying.

“So, after all these graces, I believe my children who have seen less of me during the year deserve to spend the whole day with me and I urge all the people to spare some hours for their lovely ones during this day,” Hara said.

How Mine’s coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube who will be leading his club to the Caf Orange Confederation Cup also said he would spend time with his family.

“During the season it was stressing and now there are issues to do with reinforcing the squad but Christmas Day is a time which all football matters will have to take a back seat. I will be with my family at home and I am looking forward to some quality time.”

Golfer Phillip Tshuma will spend the day with his family.
“I came back from Victoria Falls on Sunday after our festive season tournament for junior golfers in the resort town and since I am back home, the most logical thing to do is spend Christmas with my family,” Tshuma said.

Cricket administrator Samu Nkiwane said she will have a luncheon for her family and close relatives.
“I will cook for my family and I am hoping to have some guests at home. I am off until January 6 so I will spend today and rest the rest of the holiday with my family and friends,” Nkiwane said.

Long distance runner Nkosiyazi Sibanda of Blanket Mine in Matabeleland South said he will travel to Gwanda to visit some of his relatives.
“I am going to Gwanda to be with my relatives. I will return to my base in Blanket Mine on Boxing Day,” Nkosiyazi said.

Entumbane bred FC Platinum striker Charles Sibanda will spend Christmas for the first time in Harare as they have to be in the Warriors camp tomorrow preparing for next month’s Orange African Nations Championships set for South Africa.

“We have decided as Bulawayo players here in camp that it doesn’t make sense to travel to Bulawayo because we are needed for training on Boxing Day. At least the guys based in Harare will have time to be with their families but for us, we just have to make a plan and maybe go for a braai somewhere in Harare.

“The other thing is to go around visiting friends here and eating their well prepared meals. We will save money,” said Charles jokingly.
Other Bulawayo-based Warriors players in Harare are Danny Phiri, Kudakwashe Mahachi, Simba Sithole, Milton Ncube and Peter “Rio” Moyo who joined camp on Monday.

Top bowler Mike Eaton will be cooling off the season’s hard work away in South Africa where he is spending the Christmas and New Year’s holidays with his family.

Eaton said he had a good season of bowls and was happy with his last competition, the Mashonaland Provincial Pairs, where he was one of the winners.

“I had a great season. I am not doing much for the holidays, me and my daughter are going to South Africa to spend our holidays with my other daughter who is based there.

“Christmas is the best time to be with both my lovely daughters,” said Eaton.
The holiday is being celebrated in a number of ways by sports personalities. For people like Roy Garden he will be back home in Bulawayo with his family.

“I am back in Bulawayo and I will not be doing much. I want to rest, I have had a mixed season of bowls. I won some of my competitions and lost some but 2013 has been a good season of exposure. I am proud that I had a chance to represent my country in a number of tournaments.

“I am looking forward to the new season and I just hope that we will have new bowlers combined with old bowlers next year. It is always good to have new bowlers. If we can concentrate on the greens next year it will be good so that we meet the world standard,” said Garden.

Meanwhile, Garden and female top bowler Kerry Craven found the stage too big at the recent World Singles Champion of Champions in New Zealand but the pair believe the exposure they got was priceless.

Garden represented the country in the men’s section while Craven stood for the women’s category in the Championships which was held at Burnside Bowling Club, Christchurch, New Zealand.

Garden said the World Singles Champion of Champions was a good exposure for him besides him not grabbing a medal. The duo left the country with their team manger Heather Singleton hoping to cause upsets against some of the world’s best bowlers but the competition was tough as they returned home without medals.

Garden won seven out of 12 games while Craven won six and lost six at the Championship, which attracted top bowlers from across the world.

The event also had Botswana, Zambia and South Africa taking part. Zimbabwe was drawn in a competitive section where they played against top bowlers from Australia, Canada, Norfolk Island, Scotland, Japan, Canada, Jersey, Hong Kong China, Ireland and their neighbouring South Africa.

Garden broke the record by defeating the Australian top bowlers and he said the championship was a very good exposure. He also beat South Africa and Ireland.

“I had a nice time in the greens. The tournament was tough and competitive but it was very good. I think it was good to be part of the event. The more we participant at such event the more we will be fit for the world class bowling,” said Garden.

Zimbabwe was also represented by their queen of the greens Craven who happens to be the national team captain. Craven won six out of the 12 matches she played.