Online Reporter
Fungai Muderere, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE inaugural Tshabalala-Sizinda Sports Gala was successfully held on Saturday with competition in football, netball, tennis and indigenous games.
The contest was organised by Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School Association and they were partnered by Mr Sinkwa, ML Sport, Khaya Arts, Medic Pharmacy, Tug o Mania Harare, Esats Stores, Royal Pharmacy, Indlovu Youth Centre and Masuku Primary School.
In the Under-10 boys’ football final, Tshabalala Warriors got the better of La Masia to go away with gold medals and a trophy.
For their efforts, La Masia went home with silver medals and Gugulethu were the bronze medallists.
In the Under-12 boys competition, Tshabalala Warriors were again the winners after they beat La Masia 5-3 after a penalty shootout. The match had ended one all in regulation time.
The former were presented with gold medals and a trophy while the latter went home with silver medals
Sizinda Pirates were the third best side to go away with bronze medals.
In girls’ soccer Queen Elizabeth’s Under-12 side dismissed Tshabalala Queens after a 5-2 penalty lottery to get a trophy plus gold medals.
The netball contest, was a straight final between Sizinda Springboks and Indlovu Queens and it was won by the former.
“It was a very successful sports gala. Parents came out in their numbers to support their children and it was very pleasing to witness that,” said Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School Association organising secretary Roy Phiri.
“By bringing in indigenous games we were trying to bring in more enthusiasm to the sports gala. We are grateful to our partners for their unwavering support,” added Phiri.
Tshabalala-Sizinda Old School Association, is a grouping of people who saw their active early days in the late 1960s into the 1970s and young adult life in the 1980s.
They have been seized with reviving Indlovu Youth Centre.
Years back, Indlovu Youth Club, just like other youth centres across the city, was bustling with activity with youths spending their time at the facility with dedicated youth leaders.
In April, they founded the Tshabalala-Sizinda Grassroots Soccer League (TSGSL).
The league’s launch marked a major step forward in efforts to get local youngsters off the streets and into structured sport.
Tshabalala/Sizinda Old School Association’s steering committee includes Charles Masuku (chairman), Themba Phiri (vice-chairman), Marko Muderere (secretary), Denis Tshuma (assistant secretary) and Sifelani Mlalazi (treasurer).
The Grassroots Soccer league comprises 14 teams and these are Tshabalala Pirates, Sizinda Pirates, New Airport, Tshabalona, River Plate, Gugulethu FC, Flame Stars, Israelite, La Masia, Tshabalala Warriors, Sizinda United, Metric A FC, Zebra Revolution, and Metric B FC.
The league caters for Under-10 and Under-12 boys. — @FungaiMuderere
