Online Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Education Squash Trust (ZEST), in partnership with the Belgravia Squash Academy, will host the inaugural Redmark Group Squash Open at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare from August 7 to 8.
The tournament, which comes just after the end of the school term, is open to both junior and adult players, male and female. More than 60 participants from Harare and other parts of the country are expected to take part 8n the two-day tournament.
The competition is aimed at giving players more match practice and competitive exposure ahead of the schools holiday break and upcoming national events. It also seeks to promote squash and encourage more young people to take up the sport.
The tournament is being organised by seasoned squash coach Mashumba Mukumba, who recently relocated back to Zimbabwe from New York, United States.
Mukumba coached squash in the United States for more than two years before retracing his footsteps back to Zimbabwe.
He is now back coaching squash at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare, a place he calls his “second home”.
Mukumba, who is the ZEST director, said the Redmark Group Squash Open tournament is part of their ongoing efforts to develop players and strengthen the game of squash in Zimbabwe.
“The primary objective of the Redmark Group Squash Open is to provide players with increased competitive opportunities and valuable match practice as they prepare for the schools holiday break and upcoming national events.
“More importantly, the event seeks to raise the profile of squash and inspire greater participation at grassroots level,” said Mukumba.
Mukumba added that the event follows the establishment of the Belgravia Squash Academy, which is based at Belgravia Sports Club.
“ZEST has given birth to the Belgravia Squash Academy. Through the combined efforts of ZEST and the Belgravia Squash Academy, we have built a strong pipeline of talent and created increased demand for regular competition, both locally and internationally.”
He also thanked Belgravia Sports Club for making its facilities available for the event.
“Belgravia Sports Club has granted access to its centrally located and well-maintained courts. The facilities provide an ideal environment for high-quality competition and will ensure the smooth running of the event,” Mukumba said.
The tournament has received sponsorship from Redmark Group, a partnership that organisers believe will help grow squash in Zimbabwe.
“Corporate backing is vital to the growth and sustainability of sport, and we are grateful for Redmark Group’s commitment to developing squash in Zimbabwe. We look forward to working together to expand the tournament in future editions to include larger prize funds and participation from top players across the region and internationally,” added Mukumba.
Beyond the competition, organisers said the tournament is expected to make a positive impact on communities by encouraging more children to participate in sport.
“Participation in structured sporting programmes plays a key role in keeping youth engaged and away from social challenges such as drug abuse and early marriages,” ZEST said.
The organisation urged parents, schools, the media and the wider squash community to support the tournament as part of efforts to grow the sport and nurture the next generation of players in Zimbabwe.
Redmark Group chairman, Mathew Manyangadze, said: “Redmark is grateful the support they get from fellow Zimbabweans and the government. So as sign of appreciation, we would like to give back to the community by sponsoring sports.” – Agencies/Zimpapers Sport Hub
