Murindagomo dedicates match to father

Veronica Gwaze

AS she walked onto the court at Manyame Airbase last weekend Alice Murindagomo was convinced that she could not have done it any other way. Murindagomo’s father, Reginald, had died 24 hours earlier and his body lay at their Epworth home awaiting burial.

However, the 29-year old Falcon Queens centre did not break away from camp but decided to play the game against ZRP Queens, formerly known as Mambas, as a way to honour her late father. It’s a call that sent tongues wagging but one that Murindagomo and the Falcon Queens family defends.

“I had to do it for him, there was no other special way I could have honoured him other than playing in that game. I believe he is resting in peace, proud of what Falcon Queens family did for him,” she said.

When the final whistle blew there was no time for post-match rituals for the Air Force side as they rushed to Epworth for the funeral.

As she paid tribute to her father Murindagomo recalled how he was against the idea of his daughter pursuing professional netball.

“He was against it, he wanted me to concentrate on my studies “Born ninth out of 11 children my elder siblings had already set a tone on the academic front, therefore, my parents never took sport as a serious thing but I always came up with tricks to go and play,” she said.

The late Reginald later had a change of heart after the sport put food on the table for his beloved daughter.  “By the time he died he was my number one supporter,” said Murindagomo.

“I was in the process of raising money together with my siblings so that he could undergo surgery as he was also suffering from glaucoma. “Personally, I wanted to make him proud through netball. My wish was to restore his sight so that he could watch at least one of my games.”

Despite falling 42-53 Falcon Queens head coach Tapiwa Chirenda was satisfied by the way his team had played in honour of the late Reginald.

“This game was not about scores but a special tribute from us as a team. We are family, her (Alice) loss is our loss,” he said.