Online Reporter
Lovemore Dube [email protected]
THE month of October is expected to be overloaded with Highlanders 100 years celebrations events all set for Bulawayo.
This was revealed by Nicholas Nyathi, the vice chairman of the committee tasked with organising events that celebrate the team’s milestone.
Nyathi, a former club board member told Zimpapers Sports Hub that all is set for next month’s activities. Members and the community are expected to take part.
The club has partnered with the Ministry of Sport in a football game that will feature Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium on October 11. This will be the biggest celebratory event as Highlanders has always been about the people and football.
With Dynamos they command the biggest following with most of their matches attracting very good crowds.
They are the country’s most successful football clubs and have both had the biggest names in the game that include Japhet Mparutsa, Lucky Dube, Sunday Chidzambwa, Shaw Handriade, Claudius Zviripayi, Oliver Kateya, George Shaya and Moses Chunga all Dynamos while Highlanders has had its own fair share of celebrated heroes like Tymon Mabaleka, Barry Daka, Douglas Mloyi, Alexander Maseko, Tito Paketh, Majuta Mpofu, Mercedes Sibanda, Willard Khumalo and Madinda Ndlovu.
The match is set to be another renewal of the rivalry between the two. Each game pitting them is a stage to fight for bragging rights even if it is an exhibition match.
“On October 11, we will have the match against Dynamos. It is one of the biggest events of our year long celebrations and we look forward to a big crowd in a match we have partnered with the Ministry of Sport,” said Nyathi.
The match comes at the tail end of a five-day sports exhibition.
The Kuzana Sport and Creatives Economy Expo Zimbabwe (Kuzana SCEEZ) is a flagship national initiative of the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture in partnership with Nhimbe Trust which aims to commercialise sports, arts, culture and the broader creative industry. It will run from October 7-11.
Nyathi said the whole Highlanders family inclusive of sportspersons, members and supporters is invited to another gathering on October 24.
“We have planned a very big road race, the Highlanders Half Marathon. We will also have a family fun day at the Highlanders Clubhouse with a lot of activities on offer,” said Nyathi.
He said the organising committee had also settled for a number of musical acts for October 31.
Organisers of the event on Sunday, said plans were afoot for a memorable gala.
But before month end, Highlanders hope to have officially launched their exhibition at the Gallery. Old pictures and other club artefacts are expected to be on display.
