Mbare sporting gala on

Mbare Primary Schools Football and Netball Gala at Chitsere Primary School on Friday afternoon.
The two-day gala, which starts at 2pm on Friday, is the brainchild of several former and current Mbare residents who want to use sport as a vehicle to take the kids off the streets. Among the brains behind this ambitious “project” are former Zimbabwe senior national soccer team players, the legendary Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa and Gilbert Mushangazhike.Former Dynamos, Arcadia United and RioDairibord flying winger Eric

“Flash” Aisam is the technical director. Mtizwa, Mushangazhike and Agnes Choorodza are members of the organising committee.
According to one of the event’s organisers, Isaac “Zopa” Tonje, most primary schools from Mbare and the surrounding areas of Ardbennie, Houghton Park and Sunningdale are expected to take part.

Some of the schools that are expected to be part of this inaugural event are Chitsere, Chirodzo, Chiedza, St. Peter’s, Gwinyai, Nharira, St. Michael’s, Shingirayi, Ardbennie, Sunningdale 1, Sunningdale 2 and Houghton Park.

Tonje, who is based in London, said the Mbare Primary Schools Football and Netball Gala is also part of the efforts by the residents of this old Harare high-density suburb to help their children take up sport as a career.

“We have been frantically working with headmasters in Mbare primary schools to revive sports and set up all-year-round leagues for football. Aisam and Mtizwa are currently on the football committee assisted by Mushangazhike. This (Friday’s) event is a platform to highlight and identify the needs for the project which we hopefully are looking to start in January 2012.
“This is also a very great opportunity for organisations and individuals – small, medium or big – to promote themselves and be involved with an event that gives our youths a chance… a real chance.

“We have all been fighting hard for this and the opportunity to make that change has finally come.
“Let us all remember that these boys and girls are the future, and their future depends on us and what we do now. So I (would like to) urge all the individuals who went to some of these schools, and who may now be in a privileged position, to get in touch with the committee members, contacts and local headmasters to find out how you can help make a change and create a real difference.

“Let us all remember these are our ‘future stars’ and let’s give them a chance to shine. I also urge all individuals – poor, rich, big or small and parents – who believe in giving children a chance in life to embrace this opportunity and help make a change.
“We have football greats like Stanford ‘Stix’ Mtizwa, Eric Aisam and Gilbert Mushangazhike, all involved in this endeavour to make a change,” Tonje said.

He also said that people who are interested in this project do not necessarily have to make material donations if it’s not within their means.
“Even ideas and their physical presence on the day will make a big difference… I would like them to come and cheer on their school or former school.
“They must get involved and help create the chance. Would it not make them proud to know and to feel that at least they did something to help and give children a chance in life.”