Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE newly installed committee at Mutare Sports Club has stunned the sporting fraternity by suspending all rugby activities at the traditional home of the game in Manicaland, Post Sport can reveal.
Rugby, which has been steadily growing in popularity across the province despite chronic funding challenges, has long been synonymous with Mutare Sports Club.
Generations of players and fans have regarded the venue as the heartbeat of the sport in Manicaland, making the suspension all the more controversial.
Minutes from the club’s most recent committee meeting, seen by this publication, explicitly confirm the decision. Item Number 13 reads: “Rugby to submit funding document to MSC Executive for regularisation of membership by Friday next week. Rugby to stop pending finalisation of their issue with new management.”
When contacted for comment, Mutare Sports Club chairman, Life Mahute, denied that rugby had been suspended, though his remarks appeared contradictory.
“I am not aware of these minutes. Rugby activities have not been suspended. I clarified the issue with the rugby leaders,” said Mahute.
His statement has raised eyebrows among rugby stakeholders, who argue that the minutes clearly reflect a suspension, regardless of the chairman’s denial.
The Mahute-led new executive was put in place on November 20 last year, and comprises vice-chairman, Edwin Mapfumo, secretary, Casper Bandi, committee members, Biggie Muchowa, Armson Makumbe and Tawanda Kanengoni.
Apparently, this is not the first time that this happened after similar events unfolded about a decade ago when the then Mutare Sports Club leadership did the same, but later revoked their decision following an outcry from followers of the game of rugby.
Post Sport understands that the bone of contention stems from the management of revenue, with the Mutare Sports Club committee insisting that all proceeds from the use of the rugby pitch be channelled to them and in return the committee funds the rugby teams’ activities.
However, this arrangement has dismally failed in the past as the committee would then fail to fund the rugby activities.
Mutare Sports Club was established in the late 1940s, with rugby becoming a central part of its identity soon thereafter.
In the 1960s, the Dobropoulos family created the rugby field, laying the physical and cultural foundation for the sport at the club.
Although rugby activity declined during the liberation war years of the 1970s, the sport was revived in 1982 and has continued to thrive ever since.
From that revival, Mutare Sports Club Rugby was formally recognised as the rugby team of Mutare Sports Club, and it has remained so to this day.
Historically, the rugby section has often operated independently in terms of sourcing funds for both home and away fixtures, largely because the main club lacks the financial capacity to fully support the team.
Despite these challenges, rugby has endured through the dedication and commitment of its players, administrators, and sponsors.
In 2025, the committee introduced adjustments whereby all gate takings and proceeds from a home game were recorded through the main bar, with the rugby section submitting its expenses for payment from those gate takings.
While this system worked in principle, shortfalls frequently occurred, leaving the rugby section to urgently seek sponsorships in order to meet its obligations to players, officials, and other stakeholders.
This reality highlights both the financial strain faced by the rugby section and its resilience in ensuring the sport continues to function effectively.
Online Reporter