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ESROM Nyandoro hands over a donation to the acting chief executive officer of Mpilo Central Hospital Dr Wedu Ndebele at the hospital in Bulawayo yesterday. Following proceedings are Zifa vice chairman Omega Sibanda and Esrom’s mother, Gladys

Mzingaye Sibanda Sports Reporter
FORMER Warriors and AmaZulu of Zimbabwe player who now turns out for Mamelodi Sundowns in South Africa, Esrom Nyandoro, yesterday donated goods worth around R10,000 to Mpilo Central Hospital. Nyandoro joins a number of international sportspersons to give back to the communities where they came from such as Benjani Mwaruwari who recently held a soccer festival and Peter Ndlovu who had a tournament which ran for 12 years. Nyandoro featured in Ndlovu’s tournament some time ago.

Others like Noel Kaseke have donated uniforms and football boots to Highlanders juniors and other players.
Former tennis ace Fadzai Madzimbamuto is helping out in football and tennis at Josiah Chinamano and Mthombowesizwe respectively with five players from her initiative set to represent the Emakhandeni cluster today in inter-schools Under-13 football.

Nyandoro who recently won the Absa Premiership title with Sundowns donated powdered baby milk, toys and bread from a local bakery to the hospital.

Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda was the guest of honour at the occasion. He called on all former players and international stars to join hands and have unity of purpose in developing the country.

“Today in this hospital, in this difficult economic environment, is a child whose dream could die if Nyandoro does not make the kind of a donation that we are all gathered here to receive.

“As Zifa we have a role to ensure that our children play football for both healthy living and career advancement. We are proud when our own footballers remember the less fortunate and decide to plough back to the community.

“We hope others will emulate him and assist football whichever way, whether in kind or in any form,” said Sibanda.
Nyandoro also won the local championship back in 2003 with now defunct AmaZulu.

“It’s not that I am fortunate or rich, that I am giving back, but that there are those kids who are unfortunate enough to not have toys and food to eat each morning. It’s our duty, me and you to take care of the people who live around us,” he said.

Nyandoro said he hopes to continue supporting the community and hopes to venture into a football project at some time.
“I pray to God that I would be able to continue to support the community around me and yes we are working on a soccer tournament, we hope soon something would be done,” said Nyandoro.

Football icons Peter Ndlovu, Enerst “Maphepha” Sibanda and Methembe Ndlovu and Sihlangu Dlodlo, a representative of a local bakery, were some of the figures who attended the event.