Chronicle Editor
FOR any sportsperson, representing their country at any level is the greatest honour that can be bestowed upon them.
It is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and a dream come true for many.
But for young athletes like Tadiwanashe Tarubva, who aspire to represent their country in cricket, talent alone is not enough.
They need the right support to help them achieve their dreams.
Luckily for 16-year-old Tarubva and other young cricket players in Zimbabwe, the sport has been enjoying a rise in popularity over the past few months, thanks to the growth of development structures countrywide.
School cricket has resurrected, and young players have been awarded the opportunity to display their talent with the hope of taking it to another level.
Tarubva is one such player, who has been selected for Platinum Sports Zimbabwe, a sports consultancy that creates platforms for scholarship opportunities for athletes.
He is part of the Under-18 age group of players selected, and he has one dream: to one day play for the national team.
“Sikandar Raza is inspiring me a lot and my dream is to one day play for the national team,” Tarubva told Saturday Chronicle.
Tarubva’s journey into the gentlemen’s game began when he started higher education in Form One at the age of 14.
Ever since then, the youngster has not looked back, and has been on an upward trajectory raking up wickets wherever he plays.
Being named among the crème-dela-crème of school cricket in the country is something that Tarubva believes is due to the amount of work that he has put in developing his career.
“Being selected to the Under-18s team means a lot to me because I have been practicing hard to reach that level,” he said.
But as with many sports, cricket is quite expensive and requires a lot of resources. For Tarubva, lack of cricket kit and finances for tours can be a challenge.
With a tour to Dubai just around the corner, the spinner who believes he would have been on another level had it not been for distractions caused by Covid-19, is in need of assistance to help fulfil his dreams.
“Playing the game as a high school student can be tough, but if it’s school time, I do schoolwork, then after school, I go for cricket,” Tarubva said.
Platinum Sports Zimbabwe is seeking sponsorship to help the young players fulfil their dreams, including funding for the tour to the Middle East, which the actual amount is yet to be confirmed, and kit, which may include spikes, kit bag, and all the necessary equipment.
For Tarubva and other young athletes like him, support from sponsors is fundamental, especially at the grassroots level.
It provides opportunities to play by contributing towards team kits and even travel expenses for away games.
Talent alone, without the right support, can only take a player so far.
But with the right support, young players like Tarubva can reach for the stars and achieve their dreams of representing their country in cricket.
Students Selected for Platinum Sports:
U15 – Darrel Mataruse, Takudzwa Virima, Jayden Mhangwa, Jadin Magwenzi
U16 – Junior Maligo, Panashe Chimhina, Sean Mandaza, David Masawi
U17 – Rukudzo Maenzanise, Denzel Wenga, Tatenda Tsvaki, Mandava Edmore
U18 – Tadiwanashe Tarubva, Kinah Ntuli, Tadiwanashe Ndlovu, Aftab Petkhar.
Those who want to assist Tarubva to achieve his dream can contact his father on +263 78 217 1004.
@brandon_malvin
Online Reporter