Minister to grace rugby tourney

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
SPORT, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Thabetha Kanengoni-Malinga is expected to grace the Old Mutual Rugby development tournament set for Friday at Hartsfield grounds in Bulawayo. The initiative by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union is to provide the association with an exciting opportunity to grow and promote the sport in Zimbabwe in 2014 and beyond. The tournament will mark the final round of the development programme of the Inter-community Cup.

The schools that expected to feature at this event include St Columbus, Entumbane, Msiteli, Nkulumane, Sobhukazi, Sikhulile, Northlea and Mzilikazi and they will compete against each other at Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 levels.

These are eight of the development teams that have been identified by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union to showcase their talent at the event.
Kanengoni-Malinga, who will be accompanied by Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Supa Mandiwanzira, will be the guest of honour at the event.
In the past few months, the Old Mutual Rugby Development programme, the ground-breaking partnership with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, has seen talent being identified and nurtured boosting representation in the junior national teams.

The Old Mutual sponsorship programme has seen the national trials and national teams at Under-14, Under-17 and Under-19 levels all being encompassed in partnership with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.

The national trials are referred to as the Old Mutual National Trials and the three representative teams being referred to as the Old Mutual Young Sables teams.
ZRU director Liam Middleton said they were happy to have found a partner in Old Mutual.

“We are happy to have found a lasting partner in Old Mutual, we hope they will continue assisting us in developing and spreading this beautiful game to every kid out there.
“We didn’t qualify for the 2015 World Cup but here we have a fresh start of developing these stars for a better tomorrow.

“This is so that we can try again to challenge, not only for a place in the World Cup, but for top honours in the sport. I believe we will have the arsenal to do so. “The ZRU is happy to see the progress this project has made, we can only hope to improve from this point.

“This is in line with our goal of giving all Zimbabwean kids the opportunity to dream and the opportunity to stand a chance of playing for their national teams.
“This surely is the foundation that is required to spread the game to all areas, particularly the previously marginalised areas,” said Middleton.