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Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
WHAT started off seven years ago with only eight junior football teams from Mutare has grown in leaps and bounds to become one of the country’s major junior football competitions, attracting clubs from Binga, Harare, Masvingo and Chipinge among other areas across the country.
This year’s rebranding to Love Shouldn’t Hurt Mai Hondo Sports Tournament, which came with partnership with Populations Solutions for Health (PSH), could not have come at a better time, given the acts of delinquency and poor health seeking behaviours affecting sportspersons, especially football players.
On the sidelines, PSH provided clinical health services such as cervical cancer screening, HIV testing and counselling, voluntary medical male circumcision, anti-Gender Based Violence and child marriage messages, among a host of other services, all dovetailing into the quest to mould a complete and responsible athlete in particular and the community at large.
At a time when junior football is on its death bed, culminating into players’ lack of basic skills at the highest level of the game in the country, initiatives such as the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Mai Hondo Tournament are certainly what the doctor prescribed for the country’s best supported sport.
Typical of noble initiatives in communities, it is easy to get support and accordingly football loving individuals such as Ticha Zikai, Benjamin Chindima, Blessing Gumiso, Cletus Mushanawani, Farai Musariarwa, Cephas Bhasera and Taurai Bhatasara, all chipped in with donations that went towards awarding outstanding participants.
Pride Ngwenya, the Binga Football Academy coach and the founder, said: “Honestly, I could say it can only be God who knows how we got up to be part of this big brand, the biggest grassroots tournament in the country, even though many thanks go to the chief associates of the initiative, Blessing ‘Jah B’ Mutsaka, Nisbert ‘Banana’ Zvekare, Ticha Zikai, Mbaradza and our chief logistics officer, Tom Noblar Nyathi.
“Binga has never had any grassroots football ever since before we started this project in 2018. For us to be part of the biggest tournament in the country it is like we are living in a dream. May God always bless Mai Hondo Associates and all the people of Mutare for the love they have shown to see this project growing with each passing year.”
In the Under-15s boys’ category, the winners, City Vellos gunman, Talent Mutemachani walked away with the top goal scorer’s award, while teammate, Romeo Makanha was named player of the tournament. Bridesmaids, La Sakubva’s Wayne Nyakabau received the goalkeeper of the tournament accolade, while his teammate, Blessing Chikalipo was the midfielder of the tournament.
Coach of the tournament was Simba ‘Uncle’ Fore who guided City Vellos to their maiden Love Shouldn’t Hurt Mai Hondo title.
For the Under-17 girls’ football competition, Faithdrive ruled the roost after beating Nyamauru in the final encounter to lift the coveted trophy.
It was no surprise to see the Faithdrive quartet of Melinda Mapasure, Cotilda Chirinda, exceptionally talented Bethel Kondo and Morelife Nyagumbo being named the best defender, goalkeeper, top goal scorer and player of the tournament, respectively.
Their coach, Keith Musabayana was duly named coach of the tournament.
Adesha Garepi of Nyamauru was named the midfielder of the tournament.
The latest addition to the Love Shouldn’t Hurt Mai Hondo Tournament menu — netball — saw the top goal scorer’s award being given to Ropafadzo Tombo of Mutare Girls’ High School in the seniors’ category.
Mavhudzi High School’s Jean Mashava was named the best defender, while the player of the tournament gong went to Clierette Chandipa of Mutare Girls’ High School.
The best midfielder’s award was given to Munyebvu of Mutare Girls’ High School.
In the juniors’ category, the top goal scorer’s award went to Gamuchirai Kamutanho of Chisamba Primary School, while the best defender’s award was given to Paidamoyo Truta of Chisamba Primary School.
St Joseph’s Primary School’s Nicole Mashava was named the player of the tournament, while the best midfielder’s award went to Charmaine Masaka of St Joseph’s Primary School.
Online Reporter