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Ngqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
IT’S all system go for the inaugural Umdala Wethu Schools Rugby Tournament which is being organised in honour of the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and is set for Hartsfield Rugby Sports Club this weekend.
Jabulani Hadebe, the chief executive officer of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo National Foundation said all invited teams have confirmed their participation.

The tournament has attracted 16 schools in the boys’ category while six schools will provide teams for the girls’ category.

The event is meant to celebrate the life of the late Vice President Nkomo, a political icon who contributed immensely to the armed struggle and development of Zimbabwe after Independence.

The tournament will be run by the Matabeleland Rugby Football Board and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo National Foundation. Participants will tomorrow march from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo statue to Hartsfield where there will be an opening ceremony.

Schools providing boys’ teams are Sikhulile, Njube, Emakhandeni, Nkulumane, Msitheli, Northlea, Sobukhazi, St Columbas, Milton, St Bernard’s, Amhlophe, Mzilikazi, Nkulumane, Hamilton, Gifford and Luveve.

Northlea, Sobukhazi, Amhlophe, Nkulumane, St Bernard’s and Msitheli will provide girls’ teams.

Tomorrow will see the teams clash in the semi-finals and final match, in which rugby enthusiasts will be afforded a chance to watch a National Rugby League match pitting city rivals Old Miltonians and Western Panthers.

Meanwhile, Restoration of Hope will be hosting a soccer and a netball tournament for schools in Ward 17 today at Babambeni Primary School.

The day is meant to celebrate the African child under the theme: “Promote quality education today and restore hope for tomorrow”.