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Takudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
MWANA Group International Rugby Tournament director Kudakwashe Mutenda has pledged to bring back top-class schools rugby.
Mutenda was speaking at the official launch of the MWANA Group International Rugby Tournament at Prince Edward yesterday.
The festival will be called the Mwana Group International Schools Rugby Festival, and it will run from 2024 until 2029.
“We are glad to announce that we have come on board to support Zimbabwe Schools Rugby Festival and the first version of this tournament, is going to be held on Monday 29 April to Saturday 4 May 2024, at Prince Edward School in Harare.
“As Mwana Group we are expecting the tournament to have participation from the top rugby schools in Zimbabwe, International touring teams, developmental sides and also the girl child’s participation. “The teams will be in two age group categories, the Under-16 and Under -18, as per Zimbabwe Schools Rugby’s regulations.
“In total we are expecting a total of 120 teams to participate in the six-day festival and Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be mainly for Rugby Development, Outreach programs, Coaching Clinics and any other programs that are for the development and nurturing of rugby growth across the country.
“This is crucial, as we prepare for the 2027 World Cup in Australia, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday will be exclusively for the showcasing of Rugby Excellence, Celebration of Rugby Culture and Talent Development to international standards.
“The entire festival will be managed at the same level as Olympics, with international best practices and by a team of professionals and supporting sub-contracts to professional companies with a proven track record of excellence in delivering and execution,” he said.
Prince Edward sports director Tawanda Jimua said he is happy that the tournament is going to be back after four years in the wilderness.
“I am happy that we will be able to host the country’s oldest schools’ rugby festival once again. The event had stalled due to lack of sponsorship and the coming on board of Mwana Group and its partners will revive the sport in a big way.
“We are more than excited and ready to host the festival as we have done before,” said Jimu.
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