Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT has been quite an eventful couple of days for Zimbabwe Sables’ captain Hilton Mudariki.
The sport was under the spotlight a week ago as rugby emerged as one of the biggest winners of the Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA).
While Chevrons skipper Sikandar Raza walked away with the night’s biggest prize, Sportsperson of the Year, the Sables won Team of the Year award.
Piet Benade was named Coach of the Year.
Precious Pazani was also named the Official of the Year.
“We are honoured to have won the Team of the Year award again,” said Mudariki.
“It’s a reflection of the hard work the players, coaches and everyone involved has put in over the past year.
“And, it just motivates us to keep pushing and keep improving as a team.
“The night was also a proud moment for Zimbabwe Rugby as a whole.
“Seeing Precious Pazani and coach Benade also being recognised shows that the sport is definitely moving in the right direction and growing.”
The Sables were not present, as a team, on the night.
Assistant coach, Ricky Chirengende, and vice-captain Kudzai Mashawi attended the gala on their behalf.
Mashawi was also nominated in the People’s Choice category, which was won by martial artist Wilfred Mashaya. There is some bad news.
The Zimbabwe Rugby union Interim Management Committee (IMC) have failed to secure any more competitive matches before the team departs for the United States for the Nations Cup on June 28.
As things stand, their only match between now and July is the highly-anticipated clash against South Africa A on June 20.
The match is scheduled to act as a curtain-raiser for the Springboks season-opener against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay.
The good news, however, is that the union have secured two camps in South Africa.
The first camp, slated for May 27-30, will be with the Blue Bulls while the second one is scheduled for June 8-13.
“As players, you always want as many competitive games as possible, especially since it is the best way to build and test combinations and sharpness,” said Mudariki.
“However, we just have to make the most of every opportunity we get together before Tonga.
“The main target for the upcoming camp will be to train and play against quality opposition.
“We want to test our systems and see what’s working and what we still need to improve on.
“It remains a good opportunity to build combinations and have a look at some of the new guys in the environment,” he said.
