Zimpapers Logo

Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour at the final of the Old Mutual Raj Modi T20 Children’s Cricket Cup at the Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy on Africa Day.

“It has been a great honour to have Vice President Mnangagwa officiate at our first anniversary celebrations and his presence could be a fitting tribute to Bulawayo business mogul Raj Modi towards his contribution to the sport and the nation,” said Joseph Rego, the chief executive officer of the Heath Streak Academy.

“I had the opportunity to visit the Vice President at his offices last week and when he accepted the invitation I was overwhelmed by his humility and kindness. His visit has boosted the morale at the Heath Streak Academy and Consultancy in a big way in that Bulawayo will be on the world’s sporting map as a tourist and sport destination.”

The Old Mutual Raj Modi T20 tournament is for the boys’ Under-13 age-group and will see three teams over the next four days.

Taking part will be Rowlin National Academy of Boksburg, South Africa who are expected to fly into the country this morning and Botswana.

The Zimbabwe team would be sponsored by Fazak Africa with Botswana’s Premier Sports Academy taken care of by Pepsi.

Soon after touching down at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, the South Africans will head to the Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy to play the opening match of the competition against the hosts.

Three matches have been lined up for tomorrow with Fazak Zimbabwe — coached by national team spin bowler John Nyumbu — taking on Premier Sports Academy in the opening game of the day. The game will be followed by Premier Sports Academy, Rowlin National Cricket Academy encounter.

Zimbabwe will return to the field in the last match of the day to face the South Africans.

On Sunday, it will be the Premier Sports Academy, Rowlin National Cricket Academy clash that will open the day’s programme, followed by the Fazak Zimbabwe, Rowlin National Cricket Academy encounter then the hosts will take on Botswana’s representatives in the last game.

The top two teams will square off in the Monday morning final.

Nyumbu who has played Test cricket for Zimbabwe said all was set for the event to bring together talent from the three neighbouring countries.

“The hosting of the tournament will go a long way in promoting sporting ties between the three countries’ development coaches and players. Exposure at grassroots level is key to the development of sport,” Nyumbu said. Expected to feature for Zimbabwe are Sakhumuzi Ndlela, Lwandile Moyo, Jesse Phirio, Hassan Phiri and Brendon James.