Chronicle Editor
Lovemore Dube
THE President Schools Rugby Tournament won by Churchill High School at the Harare Show Grounds last Friday will next year be an international event.
The competition started with eight schools and began at quarter-final level last week with Milton and Plumtree High Schools the only representatives of the Southern Region.
Richard Karichi a spokesperson for the organisers of an event which turned out to be among the star entertainment attractions at the main arena, said all had gone well and that the event would be back bigger and better next year.
“The President’s Schools Rugby tournament will be going regional next year. It’s going to be bigger and better. Already, some South African Schools and some from Namibia have started making inquiries about how they can participate in the President’s Schools Rugby Tournament next year.
“As you are aware, some of our top rugby-playing schools, take part in South African tournaments annually. So, this time around, they will be coming here to participate,” said Karichi.
He said despite being a last-minute thought, the inaugural tournament turned out to be a huge success punctuated by incentives offered by Old Boys of finalists Churchill and Prince Edward High Schools.
Karichi said he was grateful for an opportunity granted by the chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Agriculture Society Andrew Matibiri who bought into the idea of rugby being among the activities to entertain show goers.
Mwana Group is owned by Kuda Mutenda who is a former Prince Edward pupil.
Karichi said the dream was to have more schools from the high density playing rugby at that level.
He said rugby like other sports helped youngsters stay away from social ills.
The just-ended, rugby tournament, was played under the Zimbabwe Rugby Union rules and regulations with all officials coming from the union.
In the quarter-final stage Mount Pleasant beat Goromonzi 27-12 with Wise Owl beating Kutama College 50-0.
Bulawayo’s representatives Milton High School were eliminated from the event by eventual winners Churchill who beat them 24-12 with Matabeleland South representatives Plumtree High School going down 12-59 to finalists Prince Edward.
In the final Churchill beat Prince Edward 17-12 in a closely contested final.
In an exhibition match pitting girls’ teams, Goromonzi High School routed Dzivarasekwa 53-5.
Schools rugby has always been a grooming ground for Zimbabwe Rugby Union and clubs.
Online Reporter