National Hero Sport Event for Friday

Vice-President Kembo Mohadi is expected to be the guest of honour at the annual John Landa Nkomo Sports Tournament finals in Tsholotsho on Friday.

Jabulani Nkomo, the first born of the late liberation struggle stalwart, confirmed this at a briefing yesterday afternoon.

He said it was the Vice President Mohadi who launched the annual event last year and the John Landa Nkomo Memorial Trust had invited him to this year’s event to be held at John Landa Nkomo High School, which was named after his father, a former Vice President as well.

It is among a number of activities the trust is involved in Tsholotsho as they try to perpetuate the late Vice President’s legacy.

Among the projects is the school, which the late VP supported because he wanted Tsholotsho youths to get an education instead of relying on going to Botswana and South Africa to do menial jobs.

“In 2014 August, we set up a Trust to perpetuate his legacy. The idea of this tournament is to encourage the development of youths especially with the vision espoused by His Excellency President Mnangagwa,” said Nkomo.

He said they were solidly behind the President’s vision of eradicating drug and substance abuse.

Nkomo said the tournament brings into perspective the fight for better lives by using sport to eradicate early pregnancies, HIV and Aids and drug and substance abuse.

Nkomo said they had worked tirelessly with the Tsholotsho South Member of Parliament, Musa Ncube and the shadow MP for Tsholotsho North, Sibangilizwe Khumalo (Major-General -Rtd)

Nkomo disclosed that competition had started in May with qualifiers in soccer and netball and now what is left are the top four teams in both, which will battle from the semi-final stage on Friday.

Nkomo said they had managed to secure sponsorship and partnerships worth almost R300 000 and assured the nation that in future the event may even turn national.

He thanked companies and individuals who came on board to back the event.

Tshefunye are the defending champions in netball with Nanda FC having won last year’s tournament.