Zimpapers Logo

Sports Reporter
FOLLOWING the possibility of a premature end of the National Rugby League, plans are at an advanced stage by Matabeleland Rugby Football Board to keep its players active by competing in the MidMat League. The MidMat League will see clubs from the Midlands and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province battling it out in the 15s competition.

Matabeleland Busters, Western Panthers and Old Miltonians are the three Bulawayo clubs participating in the National Rugby League with Midlands having Gweru Sports Club and Zvishavane Bulls in the topflight.

Theo Weale, an official of MRFB said the board is working flat out to have clubs like Bulldogs of Bulawayo and Gweru’s Thornhill participating in the MidMat League.

“Everyone is aware of the challenges that the National Rugby League is facing and if we just stay without games it becomes disadvantageous for our players in the case that they (NRL) get sponsorship and we are required to play. To keep players active, the MRFB is working on inviting Bulldogs and Thornhill among other teams to join the MidMat League instead of just having clubs competing in the national league.

“Once teams have confirmed their participation which we hope they do soon, then we will have a MidMat League starting even next weekend,” said Weale.

The NRL management have said they are working round the clock to secure funding for clubs which will enable them to finish their season’s programme.
The NRL competition has reached its climax and its chairman Noddy Kanyangarara believes it is disastrous to hastily end their season at a stage when four clubs Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club, Old Georgians and Matabeleland Busters are all competing for two home semi-finals.

Weale said all Bulawayo teams have been training in anticipation of the resumption of the NRL programme and Old Miltonians have been invited for a Sevens competition in Francistown, Botswana tomorrow.

“Because of the NRL break, Old Miltonians will on Saturday be going to Botswana where they have been invited for a Sevens tournament. A Zimbabwean based in that country Zie Khumalo is the one who extended the invite to the club and we are yet to hear whether there are other Zimbabwean clubs that have been invited for that competition,” Weale said.