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Grace Chingoma-Senior Sports Reporter
THE Junior Sables received a shot in the arm yesterday when Khaya Cement became the latest partner to join hands with the team ahead of their departure for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy set for Kenya.
The second-tier global youth rugby tournament will run from July 15 to 30 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
The Zimbabwe Under-20 team will join the hosts Kenya and six other countries including Scotland, who were relegated from World Rugby Under-20 Championships in 2019, at the jamboree.
During a presentation at Direct Contact School yesterday, Khaya Cement donated a kit that will be among the official kits that the team will wear at the World Rugby tournament. They will also cater for the team’s other costs during the two-week tournament.
Khaya Cement chief executive Innocent Chikwata said they were glad to partner with Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
Chikwata, who is a former rugby player who played with the current Junior Sables coach Shaun de Souza in the national team, said they want to help get the youths away from the streets and from the scourge of drug and substance abuse by empowering them through sport.
“We are currently rehabilitating our facilities at the company, you know we have got a stadium there, the former Circle Cement home stadium.
“I think it seats about 10 000 fans. We are in the process of actually rehabilitating that. We have a tennis court, a volleyball court, and a swimming pool.
“We want to rehabilitate all those facilities and partner with people like the ZRU, to then come in and be part of the excitement, get some boys off the street and start playing rugby.
“I am a former player. During my time, the Mabvuku team was a formidable force and you guys would know guys like Fortune Chipendo actually came from Mabvuku – Tafara and look how well they have done,” said Chikwata.
Chikwata rallied behind the junior team to go and raise the country’s flag high.
“As you guys go to the World Cup, it is a big stage, at the end of the day just give it your all. Whether you win or don’t just give 120 percent and enjoy the tournament.
“That is one of the most beautiful, exciting privileges that you will ever get in life to be part of something that is formidable. It is also an opportunity for you to showcase your talent. So give it your all, enjoy the tournament and all the best,” he said.
ZRU chief executive Sifiso Made welcomed the sponsorship and invited students who were part of the presentation to take up rugby seriously as it is an enjoyable game.
“First of all, I would like to thank Khaya for the contribution and the work you are going to do with Zimbabwe rugby and potentially all other sports in Zimbabwe.
“As ZRU our aim and drive to these young men is to ensure that we develop rugby in all areas and corners of Zimbabwe. Now there is a specific drive for the girl child, we really want the girls to play rugby. Gone are the days when the sport was dominated by just boys,” said Made.
The Junior Sables coach De Souza was expected to announce the traveling team last night. That final squad is scheduled to feature in a match against Zimbabwe A this afternoon at Prince Edward as the squad fine-tunes their preparations.
Online Reporter
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