Perm Sec lauds Mawoyo

Fungayi Munyoro Mutare Correspondent
ZIMBABWE need grassroots development programmes to ensure the future sustainability of sports at highest level said the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport and Recreation Benson Dube.

In a speech read on behalf of the Minister of Sport and Recreation’ Makhosini Hlongwane, at the official opening of the Tino Mawoyo Cricket Festival at Mutare Sports Club on Friday, Dube said the nation cannot afford to let down generations of athletes who might otherwise have made it at the top level of cricket.

“For Zimbabwe to develop a larger pool of cricket players and ensure the future sustainability of the game at the highest level, we need grassroots development programmes such as this.

“As a nation, we cannot afford to let down generations of athletes who might otherwise have made it at the top level of cricket,” he said.

The acting Permanent Secretary said that the future of the province is bright and he encouraged key stakeholders in the province to continue working hard to produce top sports personalities.

“Manicaland is blessed. We have many great athletes not only in cricket but in other sporting disciplines that come from this province. I encourage Manicaland to continue to work hard and produce more good athletes for the country.

“The future of cricket in Manicaland is very bright. I believe Mawoyo’s initiative will help make a positive difference not just in Manicaland but for the future Zimbabwe teams as well.

“This province will be an all conquering cricket province capable of fielding a national first team dominated by players from this province,” he said.

Dube said as the Sport and Recreation Ministry, they will ensure that all schools will have minority sports codes.

“As the ministry responsible for sport and recreation, we are ready to play our part in ensuring cricket and other minority sports are to be played at all levels, in all schools and communities.

“We are committed to ensuring initiatives such as the Tino Mawoyo Festival get all the necessary support they need.

“I urge the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, Manicaland Cricket Association and other provincial boards to continue to invest in grassroots cricket and supporting developmental projects of this magnitude considering the effect they bear,” he said.

The festival started last Thursday afternoon with a girls training conducted by Zimbabwe Cricket Junior development coach Chipo Kanjanda.

A total of 21 girls participated in the training where they were taught basic cricket training.

On Friday, there was an umpire seminar which was conducted by international umpire Jeremiah Matibiri.

A leadership seminar for all the participating children was conducted by Sports Leadership Institute of Zimbabwe.

The three-day cricket festival ended on Saturday evening with four Under-13 boys’ teams taking part in the 15 over games.

All the four teams got away with floating trophies.

Tafadzwa Makaringe was voted best fielder while Kimberly Mutsogoro was the best wicket-keeper.

Brendon Mutendi was voted the best bowler and Panashe Chikwetu was voted the best batsman.

Akeeb Patel was voted the most promising player, while player of the festival award went to Takudzwa Nyamugure.

All the winners were given $50 and a mini cricket kit.