adminGrace Chingoma
Senior Sports Reporter
JUNIOR Sables skipper Panashe Zuze has urged students to stay away from drugs if they are serious with becoming professional sportspeople.
Zuze was speaking during the unveiling of the Under-20 national team’s four-year partnership with Khaya Cement at Direct Contact School Mandara on Friday.
His rugby journey caught the attention of the students.
” l am just here to tell you that stay away from drugs if you want to go into sport, no matter what sport it might be. Do sport, train, have fun and keep yourself fit,” said Zuze.
The diminutive skipper said he was not deterred by his physical abilities.
“I started playing rugby at six-years-old. When l was in Primary School, l used to go to Mbare Academy a lot on Sunday mornings and l used to train a lot.
“My dad would force me to go but l guess l ended up loving the sport and working hard in getting better.
“Sport is for everyone, rugby is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you are big or small like me. You can be tall or short but as long as you indulge yourself and give it a try, you will enjoy more than you can actually think” he said.
Tanaka Ndoro also chipped in and said rugby can take one to places they never imagined they would go.
Zimbabwe coach Shaun De Souza has announced a 28 that is set to depart tomorrow for Nairobi where they play against hosts Kenya, Scotland, Uruguay, USA, Spain, Samoa and Hong Kong at the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy.
The coach has retained the bulk of players who won the Barthes Trophy in April at the same venue in the East African country.
Apart from providing a playing kit, Khaya will also meet other costs for the Zimbabwean team that will feature in the tournament running from July 15 to 30 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The deal will also see the parties engaging in legacy programs like the one on Friday where ZRU and their teams go into schools and communities raising awareness about the sport and drug and substance abuse.
Junior Sables Traveling Squad:
Forwards: Gealan Jaricha, Gerry Zisengwe, Tadiwa Chinwada, Nqobile Manyara, Martin Hakunavanhu, Tanaka Gondo Mukandapi, Takudzwa Zvomuya, Huntley Masterson, Tanaka Ndoro, Leo Mutendi, Bryan Chiang, Tawananyasha, Bwanya.
Backs
Panashe Zuze, Brendan Marume, Dion Khumalo, Shadrick Mandaza, Alex Nyamunda, Benoni Nhekairo, Tanaka Chinyanga, Tawanda Matipano, Munotida Marimirofa, Brendan Jameson, Edward Sigauke, Simbarashe Kanyangarara.
Non travelling: Happias Zhou, Taona Mapani, Farai Madzima, Panashe Mugorogodi, Takunda Mudzingwa, Vincent Chimwendo.
Online Reporter