Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE 2026 edition of the Mlilo Trophy starts today (Friday), in the farming town of Chipinge, with Under-16 boys and girls competing in football, netball, handball, volleyball and chess.
This year’s games will be played at three venues in Chipinge urban – Gaza Stadium, Matione Primary School and Gaza High School.
Schools set to take part in the 2026 edition are Chibuwe High School, New Horizon College, Chivhunze Secondary School, Gaza High School, Checheche High School, Greenlight Academy, Higher Achievers Academy, St Kelvin Secondary School, Jersey Secondary School, Sunrise Academy, Mafumise High School, Musani Secondary School, Bumba Secondary School, Rutengeni Secondary School and Mayfield Secondary School.
The competition started with only five teams in football and netball, and its growth is evident.
Founder and financier, Innocent Mlilo, a member of the ZIFA district structures, said the main aim of the competition is to help fight drug and substance abuse, and provide a platform for talent identification.
“Everyone knows that I have always been a sportsperson, and I have been active in supporting several sporting disciplines even though I am more biased towards football where I also play an administrative role at club level.
“However, the main goal of having this competition is to ensure that we play our part in fighting drug and substance abuse. This is a national problem, and Chipinge is not left out, in terms of drug and substance abuse challenges.
“Therefore, we are hoping to have youths of school-going age appreciate the beauty of partaking in sporting activities through this competition. At the same time, we hope to give a platform for talent identification, therefore, scouts from every corner of the country are welcome,” said Mlilo.
Winners in each discipline will receive a full kit, trophy and medals, while runners-up will receive two balls per discipline.
Chipinge District has lagged behind in sports development, with rundown sporting infrastructure.
