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Deputy Minister Tabitha Kanengoni-Malinga

Sports Reporter
ALL is set for the final of the Old Mutual Inter-Community Cup that kicks off this morning at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in Bulawayo. Eight schools from Reigate and Khami districts – St Columbas, Entumbane, Msiteli, Nkulumane, Sobukazi, Sikhulile, Northlea and Mzilikazi will compete in the last leg of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union/Old Mutual development partnership.

Veteran Bulawayo-based developmental coach George Mukorera and ZRU development officer Rueben Kumpasa have been mentoring schools around the City of Kings.

At least 200 players will compete in the boys’ Under-14, 16 and 18 categories.
“We’re going to have some exciting schools rugby in Bulawayo and everything is set for the tournament,” Kumpasa said.

“We’ve equipped schools’ coaches with basics of the sport and they have also been getting help from mentors seconded by the rugby board who include myself and Rollo (Mukorera) so that we get boys ready for the tournament. Bulawayo has talented youngsters from the previously marginalised schools and rugby enthusiasts should expect great entertainment.”

John Falkenburg, the ZRU president, is happy with the progress of the development programme which he said has widened the scope of selecting players.
“Through this programme I can confidently say the future of rugby in the country is very promising. Now we’ve increased the player base and we can only see this as a major stride in improving and developing the game of rugby. We’re grateful to our partners Old Mutual for enabling us to conduct such a brilliant development project which is surely a foundation that is required to spread the game to all areas, particularly the previously marginalised areas,” Falkenburg said.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Thabeth Kanengoni-Malinga and her counterpart from the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Supa Mandiwanzira, will grace the occasion.