Online Reporter
Collin Matiza
Zimpapers Sports Hub
BRETT Rayners reigned supreme in the senior men’s section at the Redmark Group Open Squash Tournament at Belgravia Sports Club in Harare.
It was hosted by the Zimbabwe Education Squash Trust (ZEST), operating as Belgravia Squash Academy.
Rayners was just in a class of his own during this two-day event which got underway on Friday and ended on Saturday evening.He emerged as the top dog ahead of Talent and Roy Jambo who settled for second and third place.
Rayners was emulated by seasoned campaigner Polite Mubure, who grabbed the gold medal in the senior women’s section.
Heather Hudebwe came second ahead of Nyaradzo Muwando.
In the juniors’ section, there was no stopping Lewin Njejezana who walked away with the boys Under-11 title.
Alex Varie and Sebastian Home came second and third.
Kiara Varie was all smiles after grabbing the girls’ Under-11 overall title ahead of Molly William and Gabrielle Chukuhwa. The top three places in the boys Under-13 competition went to Luke Francis, Elijah Horne and Taurai Mundoza. Taryn Mavhudzi was the star of the show in the boys’ Under-19 section which he won ahead of Malachi Osuji and Godfrey Muchara.
And at the business end of the tournament on Saturday evening, Ruvarashe Zengeya was voted the Most Improved Player while Divine Mushati grabbed the Most Committed Player award.
The event attracted around 50 participants across junior, senior men’s, women’s, and Masters categories.
The event even had an international interest — Jason Varie and his two children registered for the tournament while still in the United Kingdom.
Their participation shows just how far the word is spreading as ZEST continue in their quest to grow the sport of squash in Zimbabwe.
Varie is a highly competitive player and he gave the local youngsters a real wake-up call on the court.
Players praised the atmosphere and level of play, with many requesting more tournaments in the future.
“The competition was very tough across all divisions,” said Mashumba Mukumba, the ZEST director. “Players really enjoyed the tournament and the turnout was very good. The biggest success is that everyone left wanting more events. That shows squash is growing in the community.”
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Milton Manyangadze, the director of Redmark Group, who sponsored this event, expressed pride in the partnership with ZEST.
“We are very proud to sponsor ZEST and we look forward to a long-term partnership,” Manyangadze said.
“From what we have seen at this tournament, this sponsorship will go a long way.
“It engages the community from juniors to adults, and that is how we build the future of squash in Zimbabwe.”
