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Prince Nkosana Ndlovu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
PRIMARY schools in the three Matabeleland provinces have been dealt a huge body blow after Ingwebu Breweries pulled the plug on the football sponsorship which has been in existence since 1994 and saw a number of players showcase their skills.

Some of the players have hogged the limelight in the Premier Soccer League, various national team age groups as well as in Europe.

While Ingwebu’s sales, marketing and corporate affairs manager Prince Nkosana Ndlovu could not be reached for confirmation of the unexpected decision as his mobile phone was not reachable yesterday, various teachers and headmasters in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South provinces where the tournament was being held, confirmed that they will not be any tournament this year.

The finals were supposed to be held at Tsholotsho business centre in August, coincidentally the same place where Ingwebu held its finals when they resumed their sponsorship after a two-year sabbatical in 2011.

“We have been told that our traditional football sponsors, Ingwebu Breweries will not be on board this year, it’s a huge blow for us because we had grown to be associated with them especially after they had since introduced girls sponsorship as well,” said a teacher from Bulawayo.

The sentiments were echoed by his colleagues in Matabeleland North and South provinces who appealed to Ingwebu to have a change of heart.

“This was surely our flagship tournament as Primary schools in this part of the country, we hope and indeed pray that they (Ingwebu Breweries) have a change of heart,” said a teacher from Matabeleland South.

Tongwe Primary School from Beitbridge district in Matabeleland South are the holders of the trophy after the finals held at Maphisa Growth point last year while Matabeleland North’s Turkmine Primary School won the girls’ version of the finals.

Since its inception in 1994, a number of players have come through the tournament, among them former Soccer Stars of the Year, Charles Sibanda and Walter Chuma. Other notable names to have taken part in the tournament include Guide Goddard, George Chigova and Netherlands based Marvellous Nakamba.