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Grace Chingoma
Features Writer
International Cricket Consultant who is also the CEO and Executive Director of the Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy, Joseph Rego, has urged Zimbabweans who qualify to take part in the free, voluntary Covid-19 vaccination programme currently underway.
Rego urged frontline health workers who are getting first priority for the Sinopharm vaccine to go for the jab and ignore rumours and disinformation on vaccines.
“False and misleading information spreads widely and at speed, making it more difficult for people to identify verified facts from trusted sources, such as their local health authority or the World Health Organisation (WHO),” he said after being administered his first dose of Covid-19 vaccine by Sister Kudzanayi Machawira at Wilkins Hospital in Harare.
Advising sportspersons, parents families and communities, Rego also said: “The vaccination is a simple, safe and effective way to protect our lives, before we come into contact with the dreadful disease. The vaccine trains your immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it’s exposed to a disease. It uses your body’s natural defences to build resistance to Covid-19 and makes your immune system stronger.”
Rego revealed that he was informed by hospital authorities that he falls under the category of frontline workers as he runs the country’s largest sport academy coming face-to-face with children every-day.
“Being diabetic and suffering from a heart ailment, I am at an increased risk to have more severe symptoms and complications if infected by Covid-19,” said Rego.
He hailed efforts made by President Mnangagwa and government in mobilising vaccines to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of Zimbabweans.
“The President has made giant strides in containing and mitigating the killer virus returning the country to normalcy with children going back to schools and businesses re-opening. I would like to know which country in this world sent their national carrier to bring in vaccines to save their people’s lives?”
He added: “This heart-warming gesture by the President to send our national carrier to fly the vaccines home is a heart rendering way to save his people at a crucial stage when Covid-19 was trying to conquer the country.
“I don’t think any other national President from across the globe would have achieved this.”
The Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy was one of the first institutions in the country to resume operations following the relaxation of the phase four lockdown and is observing strict Covid-19 prevention protocols.
Rego added that in spite of the economic challenges the nation has been facing, Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy Trust has made giant strides in the growth and development of cricket in Zimbabwe.
“With a genuine intent and desire to shape a brighter world for the children of Zimbabwe, the Academy identifies, nurtures and grooms young talented cricketers, many of them representing the nation at various age-group levels.
Youth cricket has grown tremendously over the last few years,” he added.
Rego explained that the development agenda focusing on grassroots development and age groups structure adopted by the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy has been very successful and more Zimbabweans are being attracted to the game.
“Our age-group teams Pre-Colts, U11, U12, U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18 levels have been winning International tournaments with great distinction. The Academy is very passionate about the sport and our aim is to ensure that our talented cricketers have the very best opportunities and a first class future, which will help Zimbabwe regain her past sporting glory,” said Rego.
The Academy nominates players to attend provincial age-group trials relevant to ability and potential. The Academy plans to host its prestigious flagship Under-15 cricket tournament – “The President’s Afro-Asia Cricket Cup” featuring various African and Asian nations in August this year and will be shortly approaching the Sports and Recreation Commission for permission, according to Rego.
The popular tournament has been growing in leaps and bounds and is destined to turn into an Under 15 Cricket World Cup in the coming years
Online Reporter