Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
IN the heart of Matabeleland South lies Gwanda where rugby has long been overshadowed by other sporting disciplines such as football, but a new team has arisen with the hope of changing the game, both on and off the field.
Matabeleland Lions have caught the eye of the rugby faithful as new entrants in this year’s Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Under-20 Rugby League, signaling the dawn of a new day for rugby in Gwanda.
With the belief that rugby could foster discipline, team work and resilience among the youths, Tatenda Makasi – among other stakeholders set out to start a rugby club that could not only compete, but inspire a new generation of future stars.
In an interview with Zimpapers Sports Hub, Makasi said the vision was clear; to bring hope to children in Gwanda and create an impact in the rugby circles.
“The heart of taking kids, especially young boys and girls off the streets and finding something to do with recreation and sport is what inspired the formation of Matabeleland Lions. We wanted them to find purpose in sport. So, Matabeleland Lions is a project that was founded in order to bring hope to the kids and bring an impact in Matabeleland rugby.
“My aim is to help give opportunities to everyone. The programme was actually going deeper in the heart of townships, searching for talent. So, it’s actually trying to take the talent to the world and not just in our region,” said Makasi.
Despite not getting the desired result in their first season in the Under-20 league, Makasi said they are happy with the grit and determination that the players have shown. The team, so far, is competing in the boys’ division and are yet to secure victory.
The passion possessed by the players gives the executive a reason to smile.
Coming from a town where rugby is unpopular to playing at the home of rugby, Hartsfield is a dream that many of the Matabeleland Lions players never thought they would achieve.
“This is really important to them because when they step onto the field, they take everything out, they take their heart out. Some of them never thought they would come here and be the center of attraction at Hartsfield,” said Makasi.
He added that the reception of the game in Gwanda hasn’t been much but is pleased with the work being done.
“The reception of rugby in Gwanda hasn’t been that much because there are no coaching clinics on that side, there is not much activity. There hasn’t been exposure. It’s only this year that we saw a clinic coming to Gwanda to do something and give that exposure of rugby to Matabeleland South. Last year, I coached a girl called Sibusiso Maphosa and she made it for Zimbabwe Selection,” he said.
He also called on the community to rally behind their project so as to make it a success.
“To the Matabeleland South province, let us just support rugby, especially in primary schools. That way we can manage to improve and have rugby grow,” he said.
This Saturday, Matabeleland Lions face Plumtree High School Amabhubesi on match-week seven of the Under-20 rugby league at Hartsfield.
