Online Reporter
Tadious Manyepo
Zimpapers Sports Hub
SCOTTLAND boss Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya says significant investment at elementary and grassroots levels can be the tonic the country needs to transform its sporting landscape.
The Harare businessman and legislator, through his Scott Sakupwanya Foundation, poured in excess of US$300 000 into the inaugural Scott Foundation Mabvuku Schools sports gala that concluded at Tafara High 1 on Tuesday.
All 14 learning institutions in the sprawling suburb that include 10 primary and four secondary schools took part in the football and netball fiesta, which started with preliminaries last month.
Mwanandishe beat Batanai on penalties to win the primary schools final while Tafara High 1 were 2-0 winners over Herentals Group of Colleges Mabvuku in the secondary schools’ category.
In netball, Donnybrook overcame Mabvuku Primary in the final while Mabvuku High flew past Tafara 2 High to lift the secondary schools’ trophy.
Sakupwanya, who is also the legislator for the area, gave each of the participating schools US$10 000 with the winners of the tournament earning an extra US$10 000 each while runners-up walked away US$5 000 richer.
Third and fourth-placed teams got US$2 500 and US$1 500 respectively.
“I believe in grassroots development because this is where all those who went on to make it big in different sport codes came from.
“When we talk of Mabvuku, you will know that this is where big stars like the Mugeyi twins (Wilfred and William), Brenna Msiska, the late Joe Mugabe, Usman Misi and Rabson Masauso among others came from.
“They were part and parcel of the school system at one point. That means this is where we can have solid hubs from where stars are then extracted for the benefit of the country at all levels,” said Sakupwanya.
“This is the inaugural edition of the Scott Foundation Schools sports tournament. It will run for years and years to come. Remember we also have the Scottland Academy, and we had scouts throughout the tournament who were picking the talented players who will be incorporated into the nursery.
“I think we should do more in terms of providing requisite resources to ensure that grassroots development becomes core in our priorities.
“As a country, we have the potential to do well at the international level but it all starts from the grassroots. I am sure this tournament will help churn out talented footballers and netballers who will make global headlines.”
As a way of taking care of the school kids in Mabvuku and Tafara, Sakupwanya undertook to install solar-powered boreholes at every school in these areas while no learner will pay for any school trip, which he would have taken care of.
Meanwhile, Sakupwanya said the multi-purpose Mabvuku Sports Complex which is under renovation will be completed in the next three months.
Officially known as the Mabvuku Number One Grounds, the complex has now been secured on a 30-year lease from the City of Harare by Scottland.
It is being developed into a 10 000-seater and will also have other sporting facilities including cricket, basketball, netball and tennis courts as well as swimming pools and a rugby pitch.
“I know Scottland have a lot of support from Mabvuku because these are the people who own this team. So, we have to bring the team to play in Mabvuku,” he said.
“The 10 000-seater stadium being renovated right now will be ready for the games in the coming three months.
“The engineers are working round the clock to ensure that they attain the target. I am quite sure football will be in Mabvuku in the coming three months.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about empowering the youth to do sport well, so I am very happy.”
