adminFreedom Mutanda Sports Correspondent
SUSAN Dondowa, the 16-year-old lanky and agile Form Four Musani Secondary School goal shooter, was the toast of the day during an entertaining netball match that saw Musani walloping hapless Gideon Mhlanga 41-8 at the annual Goko Sports and Cultural Gala held last weekend at Nyunga School. Playing in front of a capacity and appreciative crowd, the Musani girls waltzed their way to glory with quick passing and fast breaks that left spectators on the edge of their seats.
‘’It was a tough match. My girls played against the same team in the NASH tournament and it comprehensively beat us. We have to continue practising. We lost to a better team today,’’ said David Mhlanga, Gideon Mhlanga High School sports director.
Gift Mtetwa, Musani sports director was magnanimous in victory.
‘’I am very happy at what the girls have done today. To retain the trophy is a good thing for us. It is a feather in the girls’ cap. The girls have rigorous trained for this tournament. We played against a very good team, but a game has to have a winner and in this case we were fortunate to be the winners. I urge coaches from leagues high up to come and watch the raw talent that we have. Susan Dondowa, is one girl who is a quicksilver player whose goals have made us reach this far. If she is nurtured well, who knows she can be a national team player.’’ He said.
In an earlier match, Manesa netball team beat Maunganidze School 17-11 to clinch the trophy in the Primary School category for the first time.
Ronaald Tika Sibiya, the Manesa School Sports Director, was over the moon. He attributed his team’s success to hard work and discipline.
‘’My coaches worked very hard. We can’t forget the disciplined girls as they went about their practice. As a result, my players put on a polished show and now the Goko Trophy is heading in the eastern direction to Manesa,’’ Ronald Tika said.
Entertainment came in the form of Muchongoyo dances and music.
The guest of honour, Locadia Meda, Education Inspector, Chipinge West, implored the spread of the sports gala to other areas in the district and to include other sporting disciplines.
‘’I would like to applaud the Goko Trust for entertaining the Nyunga community. As a philanthropist, his children are leading the way in keeping his legacy alive.
“ZimAsset has been embraced as evidenced by various traditional dance groups showing their dancing prowess. I would like to urge the organizers to spread the sports gala to other parts of the district. Indeed, the curtain has come down on an entertaining day in memory of an educationist par excellence,’’ She said.
The Co-ordinator of the gala, Maxwell Chaya, expressed satisfaction with the day’s events.
‘’I must say the day went well. The Trust donated track tops to all participants and prize money was given to the winners and runners-up,’’ Maxwell Chaya said.
Online Reporter