Sita challenges Cheetahs to shine in Spar Sevens

Sevens tournament next week.
“It’s always a great feeling playing in front of our fans and it has been long since I last played at home as this was in the XVs version of the game so I am really excited and really looking forward to it,” Sita told The Herald.
“It’s been a long time without playing at home and I believe that it is going to be nice not only for the team but for the fans to see how the Cheetahs play.
“But my clubmate, Gardner Nechironga, will not be coming to Zimbabwe for the tournament as the administration could not let us out together due to a big game at the weekend.”
This will be the first time Zimbabwe hosts a Sevens international tournament and the games are expected to take place at the Harare Sports Club cricket pitch on March 3 and 4.
The Spar International Sevens is also being used as part of the preparations for the IRB Hong Kong Sevens that will be used to promote three none-core teams to full membership and the Cheetahs are aiming to make use of that opportunity.
However, Sita believes the biggest issue is not about the Cheetahs hosting the tournament and playing in front of their home crowd but preparing for the Hong Kong Sevens — a gateway to core membership.
“The group we have been drawn in has some teams we have played before like Canada and Spain but that will also be the first time we take on the Philippines and for us to be among the best we know what we have to do and we have to do it right.
“We have a chance to become a core member of the IRB World Series circuit and all we need is just to get our heads right.”
Of the 12 teams, only the two finalists and the third placed side in the B Division of the Hong Kong tournament, will make it for the 2012/13 season and this is where Sita’s target lies.
“I am hopeful we will win the home tournament and that is the first thing on our priority at the moment as we move towards the Hong Kong tournament which I believe is the biggest target ever for the Cheetahs.
“There is a lot of pride in playing as a core team and that is every Sevens player’s dream that one day they represent their nation in the IRB World Series and hopefully we will be among the top three sides in Hong Kong.”
The other nine teams that will be battling for a ticket to core membership includes Tonga, Uruguay, Hong Kong and China who are in Pool D, Portugal, Russia, Japan and Guyana in Pool F while Zimbabwe, Spain, Canada and the Philippines are in Pool C.
But in the Spar International Sevens, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia are the three national teams that feature in the two-day tournament while a number of South African provinces and the Zimbabwe developmental side, the Goshawks, and South Africa Academy complete the array.
“This is enough challenge though not really compared to Hong Kong but the teams we will play in Harare will give us a good look on where we are and what needs polishing.”
Sita believes that if the Spar International Sevens tournament is taken seriously, with support and resources channeled towards the event, it has the potential to grow to become one of the biggest Sevens tournament in Africa.
Some of the big Sevens tournaments that are hosted in Africa include Kenya’s Tuskers Sevens, Castle Sevens in Zambia and the IRB leg of the World Sevens series that is hosted by South Africa every year.
“Hosting this tournament is a great step in terms of developing the game in Zimbabwe and I am really happy to be part of the inaugural group of players playing in this tournament.
“Kenya has been hosting their own tournament for years now and it has grown to attract even the European and Pacific Island teams and if we continue with such an initiative then we will also grow to have our own big tournament.
“To show that the game is growing in all aspects, Sevens is now an Olympic Sport and for us to cope with the big teams we have to keep playing the game. Maybe some day we will end up hosting our own circuit leg,” added Sita.
The Mbare born player also believes that playing in front of the home crowd will motivate everyone.
“I think this will be motivational for the young players and hopefully they can learn something,” said Sita.
Most of the foreign based-players, who include Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Justin Coles, Mike Morris, Jonathan McWade and Graham Kaulback, are expected early next week with Sita set to jet in on Tuesday.
Cheetahs Squad
Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao (captain), Mike Morris, Manasah Sita, Justin Coles, Graham Kaulback, Kelvin Magunje, Daniel Hondo, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Jonathan McWade, Wesley Mbanje, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Gardner Nechironga.