Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MANICALAND is hosting the 2026 edition of the National Association of Secondary Heads (NASH) Under-20 rugby and Under-19 girls’ cricket national competitions.
The games, which saw participating teams arrive in the eastern border city of Mutare yesterday, are being played at Mutare Boys’ High and Mutare Sports Club.
NASH Manicaland head in charge of cricket, Charles Hondohwe, said: “All the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe are represented. The provinces have brought their select teams – that is 20 best cricket players selected during their provincial competitions. As Manicaland, we have managed to select 21 best players from the six districts that participated in the provincial competitions. We are working with cricket development officers from Zimbabwe Cricket and I believe the selected players will meet the grade.”
Last year’s national cricket competitions were held in Bulawayo, and the national champions were Mashonaland East Province.
Manicaland is this year banking on outstanding performances from batters, Tatenda Gumiro and Nyasha Ticharama, as well as bowlers, Delight Pasimupindu and Anotida Munengwa.
The semi-finals and finals for cricket will be at Mutare Sports Club.
In rugby, the Under-20 boys’ teams taking part are Mutare Boys’ High, Marist Brothers, Mazowe High, Embakwe High, Milton High, Thornhill High, Marondera High, Prince Edward, Chinhoyi High and Victoria High.
Mutare Girls’ High, Lydia Chimonyo Girls’ High (Sunside), Chipindura High, Domboramwari High (defending champions), Plumtree High, Entumbane High, Chaplin High, Victoria High, Goromonzi High, Harare Girls’ High and Chinhoyi High School are competing in the girls’ category.
National head in charge of rugby, Philip Padhuze, who is also Mutare Boys’ High School head, said: “Mutare Boys High School has made all the necessary preparations to host both the rugby national finals as well as cricket.”
