Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
SPONSORSHIP for school sports, particularly in marginalised areas, has been scarce, affecting facilities and athlete upkeep.
However, three Mutasa District Members of the House of Assembly – Misheck Mugadza, Obey Bvute, and Innocent Benza – joined forces to support their district netball team that is participating in the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) provincial netball finals in Rusape.
The NAPH Manicaland provincial netball finals, which commenced yesterday (Thursday) in Rusape, are part of the provincial ball games finals, featuring football, tennis, rugby, volleyball, basketball, and handball.
Rusape’s John Cowie Primary School and Vengere High School are co-hosting the event.
For the 2025 edition of the NAPH Manicaland province finals, Mutasa District will be represented by Chisuko Primary School in netball, Gatsi Primary School in boys’ football, Rusate Primary School in girls’ football, and St Augustine’s Primary School for volleyball and basketball for boys and girls, Pinkrose Primary School for handball boys, St Peter’s Jombe Primary School for handball girls and Sahumani Primary School for rugby.
Although the NAPH provincial executive was not aware of the actual identity of schools that qualified from the other six districts of the province at the time of going to Press, each district is expected to have a team in each sporting genre.
In a heartening display of support, three Mutasa MPs from the ruling ZANU PF party pooled their resources to assist the Mutasa District netball team participating in the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) provincial finals in Rusape.
The MPs collectively donated US$600, 100kgs of beef, 100kgs of maize meal, and 100 loaves of bread from their personal earnings.
The gesture was aimed at alleviating welfare concerns, allowing the young participants and their coaches to focus on their games.
ZANU PF Mutasa District Coordinating Committee chairperson, Washington Ziwiwi, who also made a personal donation, commended the MPs’ initiative.
“I am delighted to have progressive MPs in Mutasa District who value supporting young people in pursuit of their dreams,” he said.
Ziwiwi said securing assistance from the MPs was effortless, highlighting their understanding of the importance of nurturing sporting talent at the grassroots level.
“We wish the participants the best of luck in their games,” he added.
The Mutasa District NAPH team received additional donations, including a box of cooking oil, a pack of sugar, and a bucket of beans from Jeremiah Sakupwanya.
Local farmer, the Barry family, contributed 8kgs of sugar, eight litres of cooking oil, and four bars of green soap. Further donations are expected from Chief Senator James Mutasa.
