adminSports Reporter
IN the same weekend that the Zimbabwe Warriors were conspiring to disappoint the nation by exiting the African Cup of Nations 2015, a local company Hammer and Tongue was busy building the collapsed walls by hosting an invitational soccer tournament for Under-17s at St George’s College in Harare.Businessman and football development fan, Brian Makwabarara, the Managing Director of Hammer and Tongue headlined a group of companies who poured resources into the 20 team invitational tournament for the second year running attracting in the process some of the brightest coaching brains in the land.
Former Warriors and Monomotapa coach Norman Mapeza, Taurai Mangwiro, Tonderai Ndiraya, Lloyd Chitembwe and Bekhi Nyoni, also a sports director at host school, watched the two-day event and marvelled at the talent on display.
St George’s, Peterhouse, Goromonzi High, Mufakose 2, Allan Wilson, Kutama College, Watershed, Westridge, Maranatha, Churchill, St Jones College, St George’s B, St John’s College, Falcon College, Marondera High, Prince Edward, St John’s High, Cornway College, Christian Brothers College, Gateway and Seke 2 High took part in tournament eventually won, convincingly by Prince Edward.
The Tigers were too powerful for the surprise finalists St George’s who came-a-cropper against a Tatenda Mukuruva-captained side who were full value for their 3-0 victory in the final in which Taurai Mangwiro, clad a smart suit, graced with a speech which was a rallying cry for the development of juniors.
“I am very pleased to stand before you here and would want to pay my special thanks to Hammer and Tongue as a company and to Mr (Brian) Makwabarara for his passion for development.
“How I wish we could have more companies pooling resources together like what I saw here to give these youngsters a chance to develop. I saw some brilliant youngsters and I tell you there is no need for clubs (who do not have the money anyway) to spend money buying average players from other teams when we can develop our own stars from this lot.
‘It was a very good tournament in which the level of football on display was very high.”
But what was very touching was the fact that Makwabarara with his company pooled resources with other corporates that included Emergency Rooms 24., Michael Gelfund Clinic, EMRAS Ambulance, Delta Corporation, OK Mark, Standard Chartered, Sign Aces, The Herald, Sunday Mail, ZiFM and ZBC to develop talent in schools.
“All we need to do is do our part. We know development is painful but is necessary too. Next year we intend to make it larger as some of my friends promised to assist,” said Makwavarara.
“What we are doing is provide the resources and the experts who are in this case, coaches to do the rest. This year it has been a good tournament and the organisation was great. The logistics were to the dot and clearly teams did not disappoint as they showcased their talent.
“Corporates added real value with medical services better than at most venues and media partners such as the country’s leading daily (The Herald) and weekly (The Sunday Mail) and radio (ZiFM Stereo and ZBC).”
Makwabarara is also a former St George’s College student.
Harare City FC chairman Leslie Gwindi graced the tournament.
Shingayi Pasipanodya was voted the best player of the tournament while Prince Edward’s inspirational captain Tatenda Mukuruva was adjudged the best goalie, Tendai Mazhindu (best midfielder) and Innocent Muringai (best defender).
The Chairman’s award went to defender Tapuwa Makotore of St George’s for his outstanding show and sportsmanship.
Online Reporter