adminbe held in South Africa in December this year.
The invitation came from the Major League Baseball African Academy and it’s an all-expenses-paid-for trip.
Mandishona Mutasa, the ZBA president, said they were delighted to be taking part at such a high level tournament.
Mutasa said that the selection was completed and was tough, as they had to select the best players from a crop of promising junior athletes.
“We have recommended Tauro Elowine from St Patricks in Gweru, Sumani Phiri from Chegutu High, Chikowore Silent from Nkulumani High School in Bulawayo, Rodney Muridzo from Dangamvura High in
Mutare and Tennis Tapiwa from Sakubva High in Mutare again.
“The coach is Innocent Moyosvi and two teachers will accompany the team to South Africa. These are Washington Nyika from Hamilton High School in Bulawayo and a Mr Kangware from Mkoba 3 in Gweru,” Mutasa said.
The tournament in Cape Town will select the African team and Mutasa hoped the Zimbabwean players will make the grade as this will see them further playing the sport on the international arena.
The local baseball association has grown in leaps and bounds and has now taken the game even to rural schools.
“Baseball is a game which was not played in schools in the high-density suburbs so we have spread it across the nation and we have even introduced it to rural-based schools.
“We have visited some high schools in Bikita and Gutu as a starting point and hope to take the ball afar,” Mutasa said.
The ZBA boss also said that they have brought in a health-related aspect to the game, as it is everyone’s concern to curb the spread of HIV.
In this respect, they have partnered Reverend Maxwell Kapachawo and Friends Foundation to help with raising awareness of HIV.
“We were losing youths at a tender age because they lacked awareness. We partnered Reverend Maxwell Kapachawo and his friends and now teach the youths HIV issues before the games and in the breaks,” Mutasa said.
Kapachawo said it would be negligent not to inform and educate these youngsters on the risks of HIV and therefore saw it fit to come in.
Online Reporter