adminPaul Mundandi Zvishavane Correspondent
MANGWE Rural District Council human resources officer Johnson Sibanda has donated sporting equipment worth $3,000 to Mazhou Ward in Zvishavane. Sibanda sponsored a four-team soccer and netball tournament at which he donated two football kits imported from the United Kingdom, four net balls, two soccer balls as well as a $500 cash prize for the event.
Sibanda also purchased spare parts for repairing the community borehole that had broken down leaving villagers fetching water from unprotected sources and exposing them to waterborne diseases.
Mazhou Ward won two matches and drew the other on their way to scooping the winners’ prize. Vengesai were second, Sasula third and Jonyo finished last. Mazhou also won the netball event ahead of Vengesai, Sasula and Ngazimbi.
“I work for Mangwe RDC but charity begins at home so I decided to do something for my home area. My desire is to see soccer and netball developing at grassroots level and also to cater for the rural people who have nothing to do,” said Sibanda.
“I want to see soccer developing in rural communities and also to try and help nurture young players so that rural communities can act as feeders to clubs like FC Platinum and Shabanie Mine.
“I’m doing this to complement Zim-Asset. We also want to reduce the rural to urban migration as the youths will have something to do,” he said.
Former national team and Tsholotsho forward Joel Luphahla was spotted by veteran coach Gibson Homela while playing social soccer at a growth point and he went on to ply his trade abroad.
FC Platinum utility player Raymond Sibanda was also discovered in rural Mabasa which shows that there is abundant talent in rural areas and scouts just need to cast their nets wider.
Online Reporter