adminNkosilathi Sibanda
MATABELELAND south girls’ soccer champions Selonga Secondary School will kick start preparations for this year’s schools competitions on a high as prominent businessman David Moyo has pledged to assist the team with an assortment of training equipment in order to boost their chances of winning major tournaments.
The school has for the past five years reigned in Matabeleland South schools football contests, with the major highlight being the undisputed champions of the prestigious Copa Coca-Cola cup.
Nestled in the remote Gwanda south district, Selonga Secondary School has a many learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Players face a hard choice of committing to training sessions and thereafter balancing school and home chores.
Theirs has been a tale of triumph in an environment that does not offer the weak any hope.
The dire conditions at the school have not dampened the winning spirit that Selonga girls shown throughout the years. This is what has pushed retail business mogul Moyo to donate kits, balls, nets and training equipment to the team that has uplifted Matabeleland South.
Moyo who also hails from Selonga said he was touched by the level of dedication among the girls and it was worthy to assist the school team.
“This year I have made a bold decision to assist Selonga Secondary School girls’ team. I want to assist in whatever the need.
“I have noticed that there is not much support for the girl child who plays football. It is very saddening that up to now there are few businesses that help champion the cause to empower the girl child. This is the reason why I am pledging to donate an array of equipment to help the team perform better. As a known businessman in the area, I avail myself as an all weather friend to Selonga girls,” said Moyo.
Apart from donating football material, he is going to handover sanitary pads and other toiletries to the school team.
“My plan goes well beyond the football field. I plan to extend my assistance as the players will each get a pack of sanitary ware and if possible, they will get food hampers. The school has a lot of talented players. Many have been exposed to the real world of football competition and that has to be applauded.
Moyo added that during the course of the year, his line of businesses will also chip in to assist netball teams in rural Gwanda as he extends his philanthropic presence in girls’ sport.
“My passion to help the girl child is not only with football. Netball is one of my favourite sports so I will make sure that I organise a big tournament for schools in rural areas. The goal is to empower the talented girl child. In the long run, such activities inspire other businesses to do the same,” he said.
Selonga Secondary School’s victory run in football saw them outclassing top school such as Matopo High, Gwanda High, Thekwane and Manama. Other rural schools in Matabeleland South gave Selonga a hard run but failed to sail past Selonga’s heralded talent.
— @NkosieLegend
Online Reporter