dyton mupawaenda
Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE Rugby Union have roped in their all-weather friend Paramount Garments as the main sponsor for the 2023 Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens tournament that will be held at the Harare Sports Club next week.
A total of 12 countries are expected in the country next week for the Paramount Garments Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens two-day tournament which will double as the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifier.
The tournament will take place at Harare Sports Club next Saturday and Sunday.
Just a day after sealing a major broadcasting deal with Zimpapers Television Network, ZRU confirmed they roped in Paramount Garments, who recently renewed their marriage with the Union by signing a further five-year deal, for the continental event.
Paramount Garments Group finance director Jeremy Youmans believes the Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens will leave a huge footprint in the development of Zimbabwean rugby.
“Hosting the Paramount Garments Rugby Africa Men’s Sevens Tournament is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Zimbabwe,” he said.
“As Paramount, we want to ensure the follow-through of play for our local teams so the young men and women playing at School and Club level can appreciate the end goal of playing in international platforms once they apply hard work and commitment into their play.
“We are also eager for the countries we will be hosting to have a pleasurable experience and enjoy the warm Zimbabwean hospitality as part of building our national brand.
“Paramount Garments celebrates 75 years of being the leading work wear manufacturer and exporter in Zimbabwe. Hosting a tournament at this continental level resonates with our brand ethos of ensuring high-quality product availability in Zimbabwe, Africa and across the globe.
“The Olympic qualifiers present a suitable competitive environment for further enhancement of rugby through player interaction and skills enhancement during play at a regional and international level. This is all part of what we stand for as a business.
“We are looking forward to an exciting and action packed weekend and wish all the teams the very best,” said Youmans.
Teams from South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia, Namibia, Tunisia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Algeria, Madagascar, Burkina Faso and hosts Zimbabwe will battle it out to get the single automatic qualification slot to next year’s Summer Games in France.
The teams that finish second and third will get another chance in the 2024 Final Olympic Qualification (intercontinental) Tournament. In addition, the top two teams will qualify for the 2024 Challenger Series.
“Zimbabwean fans will enjoy two days of games. Sevens rugby is a shorter form of play and is always action-packed. This is a thrill not just for seasoned rugby supporters but for novice supporters as well.
“Rugby fans will also get an opportunity to witness some highly competitive international play with the likes of South Africa’s Blitzboks, Kenya and Uganda that rank 7th, 13th and 18th globally, participating in a bid to represent Africa at the Olympics next year.”
Youmans said their partnership with ZRU was entrenched mainly in development. Paramount Garments have been involved as a major sponsor in developmental rugby since 2019, mainly in Harare Province.
They have extended their reach of developmental rugby to Bulawayo and Manicaland province for both the Under-20 and senior men’s and women’s rugby leagues.
“The investment in sport, particularly rugby, is a deliberate one by Paramount as we are keen to facilitate the development of the sport, working through the established structures from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union to the Provincial level to ensure there is continuous, consistent and safe play at club level, which ultimately builds into national and international arenas such as this Sevens Tournaments,” said Youmans.
Hosts Zimbabwe headline Pool C along with Uganda, Burkina Faso and Algeria.
South Africa are the top ranked team at the tournament, followed by Kenya. Both ply their trade in the HBSC World Rugby Sevens Series.
Defending champions Uganda are also ranked highly, with Zimbabwe coming fourth.
The Cheetahs are currently in South Africa for a week-long training camp in Pretoria to polish up their preparations. They played practice games and won 21-17 against French side Bordeaux and 31-00 against South Africa’s All Stars.
They are set to play three more practice games today against South African sides All Stars, Pukke and University of Johannesburg 2 today.
Online Reporter