Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
BUSINESSMAN Shasha Gomez is the new chairman of the Matabeleland Warriors Rugby Club, taking over the position from Tapiwa Mangezi.
The 28-year-old Gomez has been part of the Warriors leadership since last year when he came in as Mangezi’s deputy. Interestingly, Mangezi is now the vice-chairman following Gomez’s elevation. Other members of the Warriors leadership structure are Tinotenda Gomiwa as treasurer and secretary Kudzayi Mudzekenyedzi. Their term of office is four years.
Gomez, who played as a scrumhalf for Warriors when the team was called Matabeleland Busters before a change of names feels the work is cut out for him with his desire being to see rugby rise in Matabeleland. For that to be achieved, Gomez is looking at an upsurge in sponsorship.
“I think it’s a big task ahead, as Matabeleland rugby is so far behind Harare, in reality we need to be able to compete and have the same standards as Harare. We need sponsors, that’s Bulawayo biggest downfall,’’ Gomez said.
Last year, Warriors reached the semi-finals of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union run Super Six League where they were meant to face Old Georgians in Harare but forfeited the fixture since they could not get last minute clearance for their players from their respective employment.
Warriors, despite being established a few years ago, have become a powerhouse at a national level and is the club that most rugby players want to play for in Bulawayo because of the sponsorship they get from local businesses and their organised way of doing things.
Gomez has been heavily involved in rugby sponsorship over the years. His financial backing of Milton High School started in 2018 which saw him buy rugby equipment and kit for his former school while last year saw him also take on board Harare’s Prince Edward School. Gomez has also financially assisted the Zimbabwe Under-18 rugby team that goes to the annual Academy Week in South Africa.
@Mdawini_29
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