Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE newly unveiled Paramount Manicaland Rugby League, a new franchise-based competition, rolls into life this weekend, barely a week after six players from the Manicaland Under-20 girls rugby team were scouted by the age group national team coaches in Harare.
The six comprise of Junior Nyamubarwa, Allana Maramba, Luyando Mukulu, Tsitsi Tsungi, one Kimberly and Trinity Chipato.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairperson, Moss Kapumha said the league aims to raise rugby standards across the province while providing greater opportunities for young players.
“We are excited to be having the Paramount Manicaland Rugby League this year. It is set to kick-off this weekend. Six men’s teams and four ladies’ teams will compete in this contest.
“Ideally, this competition aims to raise rugby standards across the province while providing greater opportunities for young players. This is the reason why we are so grateful to our corporate partners — Paramount Garments — for their dedication to the growth of the game,” said Kapumha.
The six men’s teams that will compete in the Paramount Manicaland Rugby League include Mutare Sports Club Rugby, Old Crestonian Rugby Club, Eastern Giants Rugby Club, Knights Rugby Club, Bateleurs Rugby Club and Rusape Rugby Club.
According to Kapumha, under the new structure, local sides such as Knights and Spartans in Sakubva have merged under the Knights Rugby Club banner, while Phonix and Bateleurs in Chikanga will now play as Bateleurs Rugby Club.
The women’s league will include Mutare Sports Club Rugby, Honde Valley’s Sahumani Bullets Club, Eastern Giants and Knights.
Kapumha said: “This new league marks a fresh era for the game of rugby in Manicaland, focused on unity, competition and player growth. More game time for our players will obviously mean production of more talented players for the province and the nation at large.”
Meanwhile, in a historic feat, five Manicaland Under-20 girls were scouted by the national team Under-20 coaches when the Manicaland Under-20 girls’ rugby played against Harare Province last Saturday.
The Under-20 girls from the country’s eastern province faced their fierce rivals at Harare Sports Club.
The match was a curtain raiser for the African Champions pitting the Sables up against the Vultures of Botswana.
It is good to see the girl child getting such spotlight and recognition to warm up the stage for such a big test match for the national men’s teams.
The organisers need a pat on the back for having that gender balance on the programme.
With high profile figures such as the Ambassador of Botswana to Zimbabwe, Sarah Sithabile Molosiwa and Sport and Culture Deputy Minister, Emily Jesaya in attendance, the platform was a chance of a lifetime for the young girls.
It could not have come at a better timer given the recent issues of abuse of the girl child in rugby.
Even though the scoreline does not do justice to the work these girls put in the last fortnight, the girls from Manicaland crumbled in front of a good crowd at Harare Sports Club as they were humbled by their much fancied opponents 68-0.
Kapumha said: “Kudos to Manicaland and Harare provinces for arranging the Historic Under-20 interprovincial games. We are also grateful to have six of our Under-20 girls scouted by the age group national team coaches.
“This is also good for the cultural exchange sports tourism and building of friendships and among these passionate young players. We look forward to seeing more matches with other provinces like Mashonaland East and Masvingo being involved.”
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