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Senior Sports Reporter
SPORT and Recreation Commission (SRC) Southern Region manager Isaiah Mpofu has urged Ingwebu Breweries to consider sponsoring a girls’ soccer tournament as a way of promoting the girl child. Mpofu made the call during an interview on the sidelines of the annual Ingwebu/ National Association of Primary School Heads (Naph) boys’ soccer finals at White City Stadium last Friday.
Nkankezi Primary School are this year’s champions after beating Mtshede Primary School 5-4 on penalties.
Ingwebu Breweries poured $35 000 and winners walked away with $2 500 and a floating trophy.
“It’s a good thing when big companies like Ingwebu Breweries come on board to sponsor tournaments at grassroot level. We really appreciate and commend management for taking such an initiative. I would however like to urge them to, in future and with funds permitting, also consider sponsoring a girls’ tournament, be it soccer, netball or any other discipline,” said Mpofu.
He said such grassroots tournaments were important for the country because that is where the future lies for the country.
“We have our annual Zimbabwe National Youth Games and when pupils are afforded an opportunity to compete at an early stage like this, it also gives us a great chance to groom future athletes for the Youth Games,” said Mpofu.
Meanwhile, Bulawayo provincial education director (PED) Dan Moyo encouraged pupils to fully explore their sporting talent but should not neglect the academic side.
He was the guest of honour at the finals which were also witnessed by Ingwebu Breweries managing director Reginald Ndlovu and other senior management staff.
“Football, just like any other sport, can result in one being injured and sometimes permanently. When such an unfortunate incident happens, it is then that you will need education to fall back on so let us take our education seriously,” said Moyo.
Four schools competed in the finals after winning the provincial competitions. Nkankezi Primary School represented Matabeleland South, Skente Primary School were the Matabeleland North representatives while hosts Bulawayo had two representatives, Mtshede and Lozikeyi Primary schools.
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