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Bruce Ndlovu
A distinct mark of some of the greatest and oldest football clubs in the world is that they seem to transcend the sport that brought popularity to their name and branch out into other sporting codes.
The likes of Real Madrid are a prime example of this, as it established a basketball side 29 years after it was founded.
The basketball side has gone on to emulate the soccer team gaining a reputation as not only the most successful Spanish team in that sport but also its undeniable dominance in Europe as well.
Zimbabwea��s Highlanders Football Club is not very different in this regard.
Over the years, the club has been regarded as one of the countrya��s all round sporting institutions with many of its sides in other sporting disciplines bulldozing their way to the top of various leagues.
Bossoa��s name has been associated with teams in darts, netball and basketball while Highlanders also used to have a rugby team that produced the likes of the late Lameck Kamsuka and the current Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Nyararai Sibanda among others.
Over the past decade however, some of the cluba��s divisions in other sporting codes have suffered as financial difficulties bedevil the illustrious institution. Despite these challenges, over the last couple of years, there has been a concerted effort to bring back to life some of the sporting disciplines that had seemingly lost their spark.
The cluba��s fathers first mooted the idea of reviving the basketball courts at the club house in 2014 so mena��s and womena��s teams in that division could train there.
The idea to resurrect the womena��s soccer side, Highlanders Royals, was also mooted that very same year, an ambition that finally bore fruit this year.
It is in light of such efforts that Highlanders is scheduled to hold a Sports Day as part of the 90-year anniversary celebrations.
The event, scheduled for 24 and 25 September will see sportsperson take part in five disciplines that include football, netball, volleyball, darts and basketball.
The Sports Day will also incorporate a Family Fun Day that would include entertainment for the whole family as children will be treated to horse riding, jumping castles and trampolines.
a�?The sports day is meant to celebrate the fact that Highlanders is more than just a football club but over the years we have encompassed other sporting codes such as football, netball, volleyball, basketball, rugby and darts among others.
a�?We have a rich history and we have tried to incorporate as many other sports codes as possible,a�? said Luke Mnkandla, the chairman of the celebrations committee.
He went on to point out the cluba��s attempts to bring back the magic to the a�?lessera�? sporting codes on its 90th anniversary.
a�?Highlanders this year revived the netball, volleyball teams and the Royals a�� the ladies football team.
a�?We are expecting hundreds of people to attend the three-day event that kicks off on Friday evening on 23 September and runs till Sunday.
a�?We want the whole of Bulawayo to turn out in their numbers for this big event and celebrate with us. There will be a wide variety of Bosso branded merchandise on sale on the day, music and food,a�? he said.
Bosso is now clearly flexing its multi-disciplinary muscle, lining up several events to celebrate the momentous occasion of the club turning 90 years and these include a compilation album that is set for release next month, an exhibition at the National Gallery in Bulawayo and a modelling pageant among other events.
Already ongoing is a raffle that has seen several supporters win the teama��s original replica jerseys after buying tickets for $1 each.
Online Reporter