Sundaymail Editor
Sports Reporter
IN the face of social vices, sport has proven to be the saviour for a girl from Honde Valley in the Eastern Highlands.
Growing up in a rural set-up where teenage pregnancies, forced early marriages and lately drug abuse are common, donning the national women’s rugby team jersey was somewhat a far-fetched dream for Trish Kandemiri.
She is, however, living her dream.
The 18-year-old was introduced to the sport five years ago at Sahumani Secondary School in Honde Valley, some 100 kilometres from Mutare. She made her debut for the Lady Sables when they recently hosted their Zambian counterparts at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange Stadium.
“I started playing rugby when I was 14 when the sport was introduced at our school (Sahumani Secondary School). Since then I have never looked back.”
Having been denied the chance to represent the Lady Sables on several occasions because of her age, Kandemiri finally made a breakthrough when she was thrust into the team that had back-to-back international friendly encounters against the Zambians.
“I have a big body, so every time I was selected I would suffer a heartache as I would be told that I was too young, but (I) was assured that my time would come.
“I was selected to be part of the team last year, but due to Covid-19, I could not play, so when the call came that I was supposed to come to Harare, I thought it was going to be one of those disappointing calls once again.”
Just like in the past, she did not give up on her passion and the call to represent her country came as a big surprise.
“I couldn’t believe it was me donning the national team colours, singing the national anthem, it all seemed like a dream.
“I only realised that I was not dreaming ten minutes into the game and it was an exciting time for my career.”
After finishing their Ordinary Level studies last year, Kandemiri and her peers have rugby to thank for their change in fortune.
“To be where I am today it’s all because of rugby. Where I come from the empowerment of girl-child is something that is taken as a secondary issue.
“Girls are forced into early marriages; teenage pregnancies are also rife, while the number of school dropouts at secondary level are high.
“This is because of different reasons, ranging from poverty, cultural beliefs, religion and other different factors.
“Together with my peers who were good at rugby, we have benefited a lot from Agriseeds, because of the sport, the seed manufacturing company came to our aid as they paid our school fees and took care of our needs to rise in the sport.”
She is not the only player to emerge from Honde Valley, as 21-year-old winger Catherine Muranganwa, who has represented Lady Sables Under-20 team, has excelled in the sport.
Touched by the plight of enthusiastic rugby players from Honde Valley, Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) president Aaron Jani now has a scholarship programme catering for the welfare and school fees of 20 girls from Sahumani School.
The Lady Sables, who have a number of commitments this year, are still in search of more corporate and individual partners.
Online Reporter