Andrew
Online Reporter
ONE of the country’s biggest rugby showcases – the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival – continues to be haunted by the lingering Covid-19 pandemic.
Traditionally hosted by Prince Edward School in Harare, the festival had been scheduled for the end of April.
However, organisers have had to put it on ice once again.
Apparently, Government has not given the green-light for the festival.
Prince Edward School sports director, Tawanda Jimu, who leads the organising team, said the postponements continue to be a blow to aspiring rugby players.
“We still cannot go ahead with the festival due to the pandemic.
“Our major stakeholders are schools and Government, and we have not been given the green-light by Government for schools to resume sporting activities, which is a big blow to boys and girls who had the dream of playing at one of the biggest rugby showpieces in the world,” Jimu said.
“The showpiece exposes their talent and broadens their opportunities.
“The festival is a pre-season tournament, so if we are to get a green-light today, we can only host it next year. It takes a month just to put up fixtures, field preparations, get sponsors on board in terms of budgets and other things.”
Over the years, the festival had managed to attract international interest.
“Yes, we have been on stand-by. A sponsor from Portugal was just waiting for us to start.
“Indeed, we had more foreign teams from Germany, Portugal and Spain expressing interest to come and we are in constant communication with them,” added Jimu.
The competition typically provides an opportunity for players to make it into the national team squad that would participate at events such as Craven Week and the Grant Khomo tournaments in South Africa.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter