UK-based teacher donates soccer kit

Senior Sports Reporter
UNITED Kingdom-based school teacher Dumisani Ndlovu donated a soccer kit to Donkwe Donkwe High School, in his rural home in Kezi. Ndlovu gave the full soccer kit which was accompanied by a ball to the school’s headmaster Maxwell Nyathi at a Bulawayo hotel last Sunday. Ndlovu sourced the kit from UK, and has pledged more assistance to the school in future.
At the same gathering, a way forward was sought on the format of the four-team soccer competition being run by the Dumisani Ndlovu Foundation, a charity organisation registered in the UK. The occasion was graced by headmasters from Gifford and Mtshabezi. The tournament will involve Gifford, Mtshabezi, Milton and Entumbane.
The four schools will play against each other on a home and away basis before the top two meet in the final while those in position three and four will clash in a third place playoff in August at Entumbane.
Ndlovu, an English teacher in England, said he had already secured kits that will be used by the teams at the tourney.
Last year, at the event staged at Mtshabezi, Gifford defeated the host school 4-1 on penalties in the final while Entumbane conquered Milton 2-1 in a third place play-off.
The foundation meets all the tournaments’ costs that include fuel, refreshments and the match officials’ fees.
Ndlovu’s foundation which already pays fees for a girl studying for a degree at the National University of Science and Technology is assisting pupils from each of the four schools with costs associated with their studies. The four boys were identified last year and will have $70 each going towards their fees payment every term.
Ndlovu also revealed plans to include the girl child in this year’s final tournament. Entumbane and Mtshabezi girls will most likely feature as curtain raisers for the boys. Soccer boots are going to be given to boys from less privileged families for use at the finals.
Ndlovu expressed gratitude on how the tournament has been run since its inception in December 2014.
“I get donations every month from well-wishers. The headmasters have embraced our concept; they really appreciate what we are doing for the schools. We see football as an avenue we can use to engage young people,’’ said Ndlovu.
The 42-year-old University of Zimbabwe graduate taught at Entumbane for four years, having learnt at Gifford and Mtshabezi. He played for UZ, Rufaro Rovers and Black Mambas as a striker. His foundation is registered in the UK and has Arthur Mpuli, Juliet Magwali and Gibson Mpala as volunteers in Zimbabwe.