Luveve High to host volleyball championships

Jillian Shava Sports Reporter
PRIMARY and secondary schools from Matabeleland region are participating in a two-day Luveve Volleyball Academy (Luvac) tournament which begins today at Luveve High School. Luvac organising secretary William Mazviro said Mtshingwe, Usher, Mbizo, Josiah Chinamano, Sacred Heart and Senzangakhona are the primary schools that will battle it out today.

Mpopoma, Milton, Magwegwe, Usher, St James, Townsend, Inyanda, Masotsha, St Columbus, Embakwe, Phakamani, Eveline and Prestige high schools will all play tomorrow.

Mazviro said although there is no official sponsor for the tournament, finalists and third placed teams in both events will win a full kit and t-shirts respectively.

Induna High is the defending champion of the boys’ tournament after beating Mpopoma High in 2014. Mpopoma High, however, made up for the boys’ loss by claiming top spot in the girls’ category when they beat Usher High.

Mazviro said one of Luvac’s major objectives was to develop talented young players from the grassroot hence the inclusion of primary schools in the annual competition.

“Our aim is to promote volleyball in Bulawayo and to encourage schools to ensure the sport is played throughout the year. Primary schools have been included because that is where young talent can be spotted early and nurtured,” said Mazviro.

He said the schools would be drawn into pools and winners of each pool will advance to the knockout stage that begins at the quarter-final stage.

Some players that participated in previous Luvac tournaments have gone on to represent Zimbabwe in Cosafa tournaments and Mazviro said this was proof that Luvac unearthed and groomed talent that goes beyond the event.

Luvac vice-chairperson, Bekezela Ndhlovu said they expected another huge turnout at this year’s event judging by previous attendances.

“We have had huge turnouts in previous years so we don’t expect any less.

“We just hope the number of schools don’t decrease from that which participated last year. A huge turnout will be confirmation that the academy is growing and doing something good to develop volleyball in Bulawayo and surrounding areas,” Ndhlovu said.