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VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko has applauded the organisers of the Orap Zenzele-Chevrolet Cup for supporting the Government agenda of developing youths through sport.
The VP was speaking at the Orap Zenzele-Chevrolet Cup two-day tournament that ended at Gifford High School yesterday. “Sponsors through these sporting programmes support the Government agenda of helping youth development. Orap Zenzele and Chevrolet have showed their commitment to youth development by making it possible to stage such a contest in difficult times,” said VP Mphoko.
The tournament brought together 16 different schools from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South and it also had the female category represented by four teams, namely Magwegwe, Sikhulile, Sijoni and JZ Moyo.
Mzilikazi High were crowned champions after defeating hosts Gifford High 1-0 while on the womens’ side Sijoni beat Magwegwe by a similar score line in the final.
As part of the sponsors’ football development programme 15 000 balls were distributed to different schools during last year’s tournament and this year a total of 5 000 balls will also be handed to schools.
Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa who also graced the closing ceremony yesterday praised the promoters of the tournament for embarking on youth empowerment
“We congratulate Orap and Auto-World companies for embarking on this sporting activity which is aimed at youth development,” said Minister Langa.
During a Press conference held at Gifford High School on Thursday, former soccer referee Brighton Malandule, who is also Orap’s chief financial officer, said next year’s edition of the tournament will also be aiming at empowering the girl-child by increasing the number of girls’ teams to eight.
“In the next tournament we want to empower the girl-child by making their category competitive, so we will increase the number of teams to eight,” said Malandule.
Arenel, Bakers Inn, Schweppes and Safeguard chipped in as co-sponsors of the event.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter