Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
RUGBY met a resolute community crusade on Sunday as hard-hitting tackles and lightning-fast tries at Eve Golf Academy delivered a resounding message against narcotics during the inaugural Mugadza Substance Abuse Awareness Seven’s Tournament.
Mutare Sports Club turned on the style to win the final against Rockstars 17-05 in the inaugural tournament.
The exciting rugby tournament, which was bankrolled by Member of the House of Assembly for Mutasa South Constituency, Misheck Mugadza, was held at Eve Golf Academy on Sunday.
Mugadza, who is also the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, mobilised resources to have a total of eight teams battle it out in a seven’s rugby competition.
The event was themed: “Rugby for a healthier tomorrow”.
Local teams that include Mutare Sports Club, Rockstars, ZRP Manicaland, Knights, and MSC White partook in the competition after Rusape Buffaloes, as well as invited teams Talons from Marondera and Great Zimbabwe University from Masvingo, failed to turn up for the competition owing to last-minute changes on dates of the competition.
The rugby competition was marked by pomp and funfair as game enthusiasts enjoyed the rivalry showcased by participants from start to finish.
In third place was MSC White, while Knights and Manicaland Police settled for fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
In his prize presentation speech, Mugadza said: “It is sad that our communities are suffering because of the drug and substance abuse scourge. It has destroyed lives full of potential. It is against this background that, the Second Republic, under the astute leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has declared war against drug and substance abuse. Therefore, we are hereby using sport as one of the tools to fight drug and substance abuse. This is the reason we have chosen to support the game of rugby in my constituency and we will be going ahead spreading the message across the province using diverse sporting genres.”
Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Casper Bandi said:
“It was a special day for the rugby community and it was made more special by the tournament being held on a Sunday afternoon. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Member of the House of Assembly for Mutasa South constituency and Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, for his unwavering leadership and support in hosting the Mugadza Substance Abuse Awareness 7s Rugby Tournament 2026. This tournament provided a powerful platform to champion drug abuse prevention, support survivors, and advocate for healthier, drug-free communities. We look forward to continued collaboration in empowering our young people through sports especially the sport of rugby. Congratulations to Mutare Sports Club for winning in a fantastic final against Rockstars Rugby Academy, the crowd favourite team of the tournament.”
Mutare Sports Club dominates Mugadza Sevens
