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Veronica Gwaze Sports Reporter
CHARMED by his team’s performances at the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH), FilChrist Hill Boarding director, Jebes Muchapondwa has unveiled 65 netball scholarships for next-year.
The scholarships, which will be worth US$135 000 in school fees for the year, come after the Shamva school stamped authority as the new NASH 2024 (20 years and under) champions, dethroning defenders Sobukazi in a 45-36 thriller at Vhengere, Rusape last Friday.
At the tournament, Muchapondwa was crowned as the best coach, shooter Ruvimbo Pawandiwa emerged the Player of the Tournament and Charlotte Ndlovu walked as the tourney’s best Defender.
FilChrist juniors are also the reigning Stella Under-17 Netball National Champions.
Muchapondwa, the sole sponsor of these scholarships notes that his love for the sport code goes beyond just the game.
“My passion is in giving a better life to as many young girls and boys as I can and the best way to do it is through sport,” he said.
Adding to his netball pledge, Muchapondwa will have 30 more scholarships open to volleyball players and 30 others for handball.
About US$62 000 amount will be injected towards volleyball, while an equal figure will go towards handball for the year.
To complement his initiative, Zororo Nhira, better known in fitness circles as “Zorro” has offered to donate training shoes to some of the school’s netballers.
“I am grateful to Zorro for supporting us in this and many other ways, his assistance has taken us this far because it has not really been a smooth ride for us,” said Muchapondwa.
Ironically, Muchapondwa has the resources to acquire the best players in the elite league, yet he chooses to invest in young girls and boys.
“My belief is that if we are to champion this raging drug and substance abuse as a nation, we need such initiatives.
“This will also empower our young generation because the scholarships can accommodate girls and boys from any background hence it may be a life changing opportunity to them.”
However, the journey is not smooth for the sole sponsor.
FilChrist needs assistance in the form of training kits, balls, training equipment, groceries and medical supplies.
With some of their teams also playing in the elite leagues, the school also needs transport dedicated towards travelling to fulfil their fixtures.
“I am doing my best to see that they are covered, but still that is not enough hence more helping hands are needed,” he said.
“We need assistance in securing a bus for the scholarship students to use when going to games, a 28 or 35-seater will be ideal.
“According to quotations that we got, it means that we need to raise approximately US$70 000 towards the bus . . . we call upon well-wishers and potential partners to come on board.”
While the school is excelling in sport, they also ensure that their athletes balance well on the academic front.
Muchapondwa said the school is careful to ensure that the athletes academic aspect does not suffer and that they recognise the need to invest their energies in all the essential directions.
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