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Sikhumbuzo Moyo  Senior Sports Reporter
CHRISTMAS Day is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ observed on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. Christmas is a public holiday in many of the world’s nations, Zimbabwe included.A majority of ordinary Zimbabweans will take time to visit their families and friends in various places, all for the enjoyment of this special day in many people’s lives. Its indeed a time to be merry.

Saturday Leisure caught up with a number of sports personalities who shared with us their Christmas expectations and how they will be spending this religious and cultural day.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa, celebrating his second Christmas as a Ministry, said he can’t wait to be with his family after a very hectic three-week overseeing the just-ended African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games.

“I’ll be joining my family after three weeks and I just can’t wait to finally relax in my rural home, it has been a hectic period really. During the day I’ll be tilling my land as you know that lesi yisikhathi sokulima,” said Minister Langa.

Former Zifa president and Bulawayo businessman Vincent Pamire said as a farmer he will visit his farm just after the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport.

“I’ll be at the farm where I’ll also slaughter a beast to celebrate this great day, meat will be plenty and if you guys want some, just come along,” said Pamire.

Another businessman, Godfrey Nyakudya, a patented golf sponsor who has made sure the Hwange Golf Open maintains its status on the golf calendar, said he will spend the day at home with his family.

“It’s time to reflect on what has been and should have been, it’s worth celebrating but people should not overindulge or even over commit themselves,” said Nyakudya, a leading mining equipment supplier, Chaferfly’s managing director.

Veteran football coach Gibson Homela said he will be at his rural home of Shurugwi for what he called “getting some fresh air.”

“We’ll meet there together with my younger brothers and abazukulu,” he said.

Like Homela, basketball administrator Joe Mujuru said he will visit his rural home “for some real braaing.”

“I’ll go to my rural home in Murewa with my family, a beast must fall down on the day so that my little ones do away with this mind that cows come from the butcher,” said Mujuru.

Celebrated long distance female runner Samukeliso Moyo said she will spend the day sleeping.

“I start my training in January and therefore I want to give myself enough time to rest,” said Moyo from her base in South Africa.

Outgoing Highlanders secretary general Andrew Tapela whose other hobby is fishing, said he will first visit his farm “to do what a man’s got to do during this time of the year.”

“As a teacher I’m already on holiday but more specifically during this coming Christmas holiday, I’ll be tilling my land and then later, as you rightly guessed, I’ll be at the dam doing what I know best – fishing,” said Tapela who is likely to be with his fishing friend, Zifa board member and Chicken Inn secretary Tawengwa Hara.

Bulawayo Athletics Board secretary Dailes Bingadadi will be in Mutare visiting her in-laws. She will, however, visit her brothers first before heading to the Eastern Highlands.

“It’s a good rest for me after the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games and I really look forward to a good sporting year ahead. On Christmas Day, I’ll be with my in-laws in Mutare,” she said.

Highlanders’ juniors coach Dumaza Dube said they will have a family get-together in their rural home of Kezi but before that, he will exchange his football brains for some shooters during some social football games with colleagues.

“Our family members from even outside the country will be around too so it will really be a day of fun for us,” said Dube.

Former Hwange Football Club secretary general Charles Nyala said he will spend the day at home with his family.

“Later in the day we’ll probably visit other family members and friends at Lukosi Business Centre, you know it’s always nice to be with the Kwidinis during this time of the year,” quipped Nyala.

The Kwidini family is a respected business family in Hwange district and command a lot of respect.

Mpopoma High School Mathematics teacher and Quelaton chairman James Rugwevera will take time to visit his folks in Masvingo.

“The day will not be complete if we don’t visit the mountains for some expedition with the wild side,” said Rugwevera.

Zifa Bulawayo Province vice chairperson Francis Ntutha said he will spend a lot of time watching the English Premier League and then probably visit his rural home of Tsholotsho for some winding up.

“One needs to at least get some fresh air especially after a very successful season for us,” he said.

Newly promoted Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side, Tsholotsho FC’s secretary Melody Ndlovu said she will spend the day with family members after a rather hectic but eventually fruitful season.

“Business will be temporarily put aside on this day, I will be with my family at home,” she said.