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Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
JOSEPH Rego’s “My Vision, My Dream” launch on November 14 was a spectacle that introduced children to big launches like opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

Rego, the chief executive and executive director of the Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy wore a glowing smile as kids marched in a colourful procession at the launch of his vision which looks set to revolutionalise the development of cricket, not only in Zimbabwe but could turn out to be the biggest project in Africa.

The initiative which is close to Rego’s heart creates history in the City of Kings as it is the first of its kind to be launched in this country. The initiative helps transform the lives of hundreds of talented kids especially from high density suburbs who have no access to sports facilities and equipment.

“Sports and education are the birthright of every child in this world and I wish this country could produce a few more people like him who’re prepared to let children benefit from their knowledge and experience in sport. Joseph Rego my brother, you’re a success story in this country and we’re there to look after you,” said Andrew Langa, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture at the launch.

The Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Eunice Sandi Moyo was equally impressed by Rego’s initiative.

“It’s been his vision to reach out to schools from underprivileged backgrounds and transform the lives of hundreds of talented school children by offering them the opportunity to play cricket in a professional environment, organise dedicated training programmes, strategies and coaches who would impart serious coaching, guidance and education to these less fortunate pupils coming from underprivileged environs. The children of this country have benefited immensely from his marvelous initiative and he has proved that the game of cricket no longer bears the elite tag in this country.

‘‘It gives me pride to know that there’re people with good hearts like Joseph Rego who’ve interest in sport. I must say his programme is in line with our economic blueprint ZimAsset that spells out the people’s needs which include sport. His programme empowers the children and is therefore part of poverty eradication. If the less privileged are afforded a chance to play sport, one day poverty will be eradicated when they turn professionals and earn a living through sport,” said Moyo.

Rego is confident that in three to five years the country will reap from the immense talent and potential that his initiative will identify from the western suburbs. Speaking at the occasion attended by the Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Rakshpaul Malhotra and the Who’s Who in Bulawayo’s society, Rego attributed the success of his initiative to the support from the corporate world.

Companies in Zimbabwe have incorporated sport and education into their community responsibility programmes.

Rego’s project targets to have adopted more than a 100 schools by the end of the year.

Rego commended business tycoon Raj Modi for his contribution to the growth of the academy.

“This world class sporting facility is ‘Brand Modi’ for Bulawayo,” said Rego as he presented Modi with an academy T-Shirt with his name printed on it.

Modi presented the academy with a 26-seater bus for use by schools in this project.

An emotional Rego shed tears of joy as he collected the keys of the bus from Modi.

Modi is a Bulawayo philanthropist who has helped people from all walks of life over the past two decades.

Corporate sponsors joined their adopted schools in a grand march past led by the Prisons Band with each contingent (school) preceded by a team member carrying a placard bearing the name of their corporate sponsor and led by the captain of the team carrying the team flag which displayed the school name. After the march past Langa declared open the Corporate Cricket Initiative hailing the latest achievement of Rego and describing him as an asset to the country.

Rego said the league will identify talent and nominate players to attend provincial age group trials relevant to ability and potential. The league will encourage aspiring young cricketers to develop their skills and ensure coaching sessions are held within a progressive and fun-filled environment in the true spirit of the game. The academy will also inspire and motivate girls to get involved in playing cricket and engage in outreach programmes to support young talented girls to train and coach at the academy.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of cricket kits valued at $1,000 each to schools.

 

Joseph Rego’s profile

Indian born sports Management professional Joseph Rego has assumed the role of CEO and executive director of an ambitious sporting venture named after his client Heath Streak whom he represented as his sports agent for 14 years; to be domiciled here in Zimbabwe. He left behind a high profile glamorous sports and entertainment management business, his ageing widowed mother on whom he dotes, a loving son and a loving daughter and a close circle of family and friends two years ago in India to take up the role of establishing a world class sporting facility in Bulawayo in support of underprivileged children.

A graduate from St Xavier’s College in Bombay and a diploma holder in advertising and marketing management from Xavier’s Institute of Mass Communication, in the 1980s Rego joined a leading business conglomerate in India Walchand Group and since then he has never looked back, growing into a world renowned entertainment professional and sports management icon.

He is the brainchild behind Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy which identifies and nurtures talent, Joseph Rego has made it his mission to help youngsters from all walks of life play serious sport in a professional atmosphere. The world class Multi-Sports Academy which he has established in Bulawayo with his blood, sweat, toil and tears, promotes various sporting disciplines and remains committed to seeing that Zimbabwe raises players who will be able to stand the heat of international competition and help Zimbabwe regain their past sporting glory.

The Academy boasts of a luscious green grass cricket field, state-of-the-art floodlit net practice area, fully equipped Health Club & Fitness Center, Sports Shop, Coffee Shop and Restaurant serving healthy dietary delicacies, Wi Fi and other recreational facilities for parents, indoor sports, professional swimming and soccer academies, rugby tots and a junior sports field promoting rugby, soccer and hockey at the venue, in an atmosphere and ambience unparalleled to any other sporting facility in the country. Cricket no longer bears the elite tag.

“Our multi-sports academy is a home to every child barring caste, colour,” says Rego, who is a great admirer of his Excellency President Mugabe.