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Senior Sports Reporter—
DEFENDING champions, Sheckon Stars beat City Strikers 5-0 in the finals to win the exciting Mai Hondo Tournament held in the sprawling high-density suburb of Sakubva last weekend.The annual Mai Hondo Tournament, which saw 14 teams participating this year, was won by Sheckon Stars on its first edition last year.
Player of the tourney award went to diminutive Brian Zvakare of Sheckon Stars who also scooped the top goal scorer’s award.
Best defender award recipient was Panashe Jena of Sheckon Stars, while best midfielder’s award was given to Edward Gonora of Sheckon Stars.
City Strikers, Milton Kademo was named the most promising player, while the fans choice for most exciting player was Brice Chaoneka, while coach of the tournament was Sheckon Stars’ Allan Gwangwara.
Crown favourite La Sakubva lost in the quarter-finals to Ajax Academy from Harare.
The most disciplined team was Matan.
Individual prizes were in the form of school term fees vouchers, cash between $30 and $50 and the coach got grocery voucher worth $100.
The prize structure was flat in order to give more teams sports equipment, thus all participating teams got at least two balls, while all quarter finalists got a complete soccer kit.
All in all 35 balls, one shield, two trophies and seven individual shields were given.
Tournament spokesperson, Blessing Mutsaka, expressed gratitude to partners that helped support the annual junior soccer competition.
“We received a lot of support from ordinary community members and current, former soccer players within Mutare especially on the individual prizes and soccer kits.
“National Aids Council provided some pep talks on HIV and sexual and reproductive health at the matches through their youth programme. We are happy for Sheckon and also happy to realise that the tournament has grown beyond our family, but is now more of a community event which we hope continues into the coming years. We are still trying to get more youth focused organisations that work on things like carrier guidance to come on board,” he said.
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