admin
Busters have won the last two editions and the other teams that will be competing for the trophy are Old Miltonians, Western Panthers and Bulldogs.
The competition which will run for three weeks will be used to select Bulawayo’s Under-20 squad.
Those who will make it to the squad will have a lifetime opportunity as they will tour South Africa for a series of games against that country’s rugby powerhouses. They will play Durban’s Sharks Academy in the coastal city.
In an interview yesterday, George “Coach Rollo” Mukorera, a member of the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board’s development technical team said all was set for the weekend’s games.
“Everything is set for the tournament and we are expecting fireworks. As a board we will be organising some festivals that will help keep our players active before the start of the season. We are going to have teams from Gweru, Zvishavane and maybe Masvingo participating at these festivals.
“The idea of coming up with festivals before the start of the season is meant to give our clubs and players time to prepare because Bulawayo is behind Harare. When the season starts, our clubs should be in a position to compete against Harare teams and it is our hope that these festivals we are planning will help our league representatives. The other reason is that we will be going to South Africa and we have to send a strong side,” said Mukorera.
Busters, Old Miltonians and Western Panthers are the Bulawayo clubs that are competing in the National Rugby League.
Mukorera was hopeful that the upcoming rugby players would manage to shake off the holiday hangover and put up a good performance.
Biselele Tshamala, the former Busters and Zimbabwe Under-19 national team and Bradley Takawira, are some of the players that have in the past featured in the Zimbo Cup.
Twenty-one-year-old Tshamala’s exploits have not gone unnoticed as he has broken into the senior national team, the Sables.
Junior tournaments have been used by national team players like Gardner Nechironga and Lloyd Machanjaira among others as a platform to showcase their talents.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo