Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUSHUNJE Secondary School capitalised on home advantage to win the second edition of the Tinnah Foundation Schools Sports Tournament, on Thursday.
Eight schools competed in football, netball and volleyball.
The tournament featured Mushunje, Karirwi, Shundure, Matanda, Bemhiwa, Marange High, Chikwariro and newcomers Munyoro Secondary School.
Veteran Mutare football coaches, James Muhala, Nyarai “Nyangwe” Masunde, of Buffaloes and Timothy “Sicho” Masachi, attended the event.
The annual tournament is bankrolled by former Buffaloes player, Tinashe Chinyowa, and founder of the Tinnah Foundation, who is based in Gaborone, Botswana.
Chinyowa grew up in Wendumba Village and attended Mushunje Secondary School.
Mushunje won the football competition, with Bemhiwa finishing second. Marange High School claimed the volleyball title, while Matanda Secondary School won the netball competition.
Individual accolades went to Irvine Mavhunga of Mushunje, who was named football player of the tournament. Peace Marange and Tawananyasha Dune won the boys’ and girls’ volleyball player of the tournament awards, respectively, while Linda Pundo was named netball player of the tournament.
Chinyowa said the initiative was helping combat drug and substance abuse by engaging young people through sport and community education.
“This was part of our efforts to fight drug and substance abuse. We are happy with the progress we are making as a community as our youngsters are responding well to the teachings being issued before, during and after the event,” he said.
Chinyowa said the tournament was also intended to expose young talent to coaches and clubs, while giving young people hope for better futures through sport.
He said he had funded the first two editions independently, but had secured partners to support next year’s third edition, which he expects to be bigger and better.
Last year’s inaugural tournament, held at the same venue and featuring football only, was won by Chikwariro Secondary School. Karirwi finished second, while Bemhiwa came third.
