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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
MATABELELAND North is eager to win this year’s edition of the Ingwebu Breweries inter-schools football tournament whose finals will be held at Jotsholo Grounds next month.
The province holds its inter-district round robin qualifiers today at Jotsholo Grounds in Lupane district with the regional finals set for tomorrow at the same venue.
Each of the seven districts that make up Matabeleland North province, according to the National Association of Primary Heads (Naph) provincial chairperson, Charles Ndiweni, has confirmed that it will bring a girls’ football team as well as boys’ as is the norm.
The seven Matabeleland North districts are Hwange, Binga, Lupane, Nkayi, Bubi, Umguza and Tsholotsho.
Ingwebu Breweries introduced girls’ football for the first time in its 20 year-sponsorship history although the full financial package for the girls will be unveiled next year.
“We are ready for this year’s edition of the Ingwebu Tournament. As you may be aware we start our qualifiers tomorrow with the final set for Friday. Our target is to win the main trophy on August 1 whose finals will be held in our province,” said Ndiweni.
Ndiweni said their provincial representatives last year, Sikente Primary School from Tsholotsho, were hard done by the requirement that all players ought to wear football boots which were provided by the tournament sponsors.
“Most of the boys had never worn football boots before but this time around we are used to them which is to our advantage,” said Ndiweni.
Last week the first provincial finals were held at Pelandaba Stadium, Gwanda in Matabeleland South and Butshe Primary School from Bulilima emerged winners on a day that the provincial organisers should be praised for a well organised and run tournament.
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