Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo
THE much anticipated Prince Edward Rugby Festival, which was scheduled to take place from April 24 to 29 has been cancelled.
The five-day schoolboy rugby fiesta was meant to be used to commemorate the school’s 125 years of existence and most government schools were looking forward to it as most of them will not be part Saint John’s College Derby Festival scheduled for May 1 to 7.
“It is with deep regret that we inform the nation and all rugby lovers that the PE Rugby Festival 2023 edition has been cancelled. We would like to apologise to all stakeholders for the stance taken but we promise to uphold the development of rugby in the country and promise to come back stronger and better come 2024 and beyond,” read a statement from the school.
The eagerly awaited festival would have been a second for schools after Milton Boys High School organised a two-day festival that was graced by different schools from around the country. In a bid to revive schoolboy rugby in the city and country at large, the festival took place at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds where both fields were used.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport, Prince Edward’s director of sports, Tawanda Jimu said the festival was cancelled due to lack of finances as they had no sponsors on board but promised that they will come back stronger. He added that the cancellation was a big blow for the teams who were looking forward to the fiesta.
“Obviously it was a platform where everyone would come together to play rugby, but it’s not the end of the world for us, we will come back stronger,” said Jimu.
He promised that there are other activities lined up soon at the school. Prince Edward have over the years hosted the Cottco Rugby Festival, which later became the Dairiboard Rugby Festival which used to take place a week before the opening of schools.
Schools’ rugby festivals are meant to widen the player pool in the country through promoting the sport at junior level and the cancelled festival was set to serve not only as an educational platform but also as an educational platform for the up-and-coming rugby stars. — @brandon_malvin
Online Reporter