Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
AFTER months of speculation, Zimbabwe’s senior domestic provincial rugby leagues are set to get underway this weekend when both the Northern and Southern Region competitions get underway in Harare and Bulawayo.The Northern Region A-League will feature Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club, Old Georgians, Mutare Sports Club, Southern City and Police.
Harare Sports Club II (Red Lions), Old Hararians II, Air Force, Marondera and Old Johanians make up the B League.
The women’s league will be made up of three teams — Harare Sports Club, Old Hararians and Police.
Mutare Sports Club had earlier been sidelined by Harare-based teams who indicated they do not have the funds to travel to Mutare.
Southern City will rejoice in bringing top-flight rugby to Chitungwiza as they will host next week’s games.
ZRU chief executive, Colleen de Jong, indicated that the teams have agreed to pay a total of US$1 167 per team to cover basic match day costs for the whole season.
“Furthermore, it was noted that the basic requirements for the cost of referees and an ambulance, for the 14 weeks, would be $7000 — each of the six teams participating i.e. HSC, OH, OG’s, S/City, ZRP and Mutare would split these costs equally to $1 167 per team,” De Jonge said in a letter.
“Hosting clubs will be expected to bear any additional costs.”
Fixtures
Week 1 at Old Georgians
A-League: Old Hararins v Mutare Sports Club (12:30pm), Harare Sports Club v Police (2:30pm), Old Georgians v Southern City (4pm)
B-League: Old Georgians II v Airforce (10:30m)
Women: Harare Sports Club v Police (8:30am)
Week 2 at Southern City Chitungwiza
A-League: Old Georgians v Police Defenders (12:30m), Sports Club v Old Hararians (2:30pm), Southern City v Mutare Sports Club (4pm)
B-League: Old Hararians v Marondera
Women: Old Hararians v Police



