adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union need to raise at least $100 000 in the next two months if they are to successfully host the Sevens Africa Cup tournament set for Harare Sports Club towards the end of next month.
They won the bid to host the tournament a week ago. Zimbabwe Sevens chairman, Donald “Brasco” Mangenje, yesterday told The Herald that they were looking at raising around $100 000 as the funds they are getting from the Confederation of African Rugby will only cover between 30 to 40 percent of the total hosting costs.
“We need about a hundred thousand dollars because the money we are expecting from CAR will only take care of about 30 to 40 percent of the entire tournaments’ needs so this is our biggest challenge so far,” said Mangenje.
“Over the last three years we have been hosting our own Zimbabwe International Sevens Invitational tournament and it has been a success because a number of corporates have come to our support and it is with the same faith that we believe the corporate world will partner us again despite the economic status.”
Twelve African rugby playing nations, including Zimbabwe, are expected to take part in the two day tournament that will be used to Select a side to represent the continent at the Hong Kong leg of the World Sevens Series. The Hong Kong leg of the World Sevens Series is also used to Select a side that will gain promotion and gain core membership status as they would have won the right to play in the World Series. Taking part in the Africa Cup will be giants South Africa, Kenya, Madagascar, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and hosts Zimbabwe and the best-placed team, outside South Africa and Kenya, will progress to Hong Kong.
Online Reporter