M&H football tourney turns 15

Harare last Friday afternoon.
The annual schools soccer tournament will this year celebrate 15 years of existence.
Sponsor of the tournament, Alex “Dr Mash” Mashamhanda, is expected to up the sponsorship package from last year’s US$12 000.
Mashamhanda last year applauded NASH executive for running the tournament transparently and professionally, and promised to continue pouring resources to the M&H soccer tournament.
Defending champions Chibi High from Masvingo Province on Friday will go into the hat for the draw as they start the defence of the title they won last year in Bindura at Hermann Gmeiner High School.
Chibi High last year beat Howard High from Mashonaland Central 3-0 in a thrilling final.
For winning last year’s title, Masvingo Province’s representatives received US$700 while Howard pocketed US$600.
The dates and venue for this year’s provincial and national finals will be announced during the official launch ceremony on Friday.
Regular schools that used to dominate the M&H Under-17 tournament like Churchill, Mzilikazi, Hippo Valley, Pamushana, Prince Edward and Mutare Boys High have since disappeared from the radar.
Chibi High, Dewure High, Vhembe High, Katanga High, Gebhuza Secondary and Takawira High are eager to play again at the national finals after taking part in last year’s national finals at Hermann Gmeiner.
In the past five years of the M&H Under-17 soccer tournament, Pamushana won it twice in a row in 2005/2006.
In 2007 the tournament was won by Mkwasine while Sakubva High triumphed in 2008 and Pamushana returned to the winners podium in 2009.