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Peter Phiri Sports Correspondent
NATIONAL Association of Secondary School Heads (Nash) will descend hard on schools that cheat during the Copa Coca-Cola soccer tournament in Sakubva, Mutare. This was said by Nash president Johnson Madhuku who did not mince his words when he warned schools against the practice.‘‘Cheating is like a disease and as Nash we don’t condone unscrupulous actions from schools that want to win at all costs. We will be on the look out because we don’t tolerate cheating as an association. Teams must win but they have to do so by fair means and not the back door,’’ he said.

Previously the tournament was rocked by age-cheating as schools used over-aged players with fake identification documents or those of their younger siblings.

Madhuku said since the tournament has become prestigious and lucrative, some schools may be tempted to cheat but Nash is on guard to curb that.
‘‘I am warning various provinces to exercise the spirit of Fair Play because this is just a game and everyone is a winner. Winning is good but participation is equally important as well. We will be on guard to preserve Fair Play. There is always a second chance for those who won’t make it this year. As Nash we need to cultivate the culture of embracing sport as a tool for shaping future leaders,’’ said Madhuku.

He said the fact there are new schools during this year’s edition is testimony that the competition is getting tough for traditional schools that have always dominated the tournament. ‘‘It is good to have new schools gracing this year’s edition of the tournament. This shows that the level of competition is getting better and there are no longer small schools in terms of football.

It is good for the tournament and spectators who come to watch these games. Those schools that qualified during the provincial finals did not do so easily but they deserved it. All schools want to be involved in this exciting tournament but only those who work hard manage to make it,’’ he said.

The Nash boss did not have kind words for players who after being selected for the South Africa football camp, abuse the privilege as a golden opportunity to seek employment in that country.

‘‘Sometimes we have a situation on our hands whereby players with fake identification documents get selected for the South Africa football camp. When these players get to South Africa they immediately disappear into thin air. This tournament should not be abused for selfish means,’’ he warned.

Madhuku praised the sponsors Coca-Cola for a sterling job of developing sport and football in particular from grassroots level.
‘‘As Nash we are grateful to our sponsors Coca-Cola for their unwavering support in uplifting sport and football in particular from grassroots level.

Theirs is a dual sponsorship as they sponsor a girls’ tournament as well. I hope others in the corporate world will emulate them by sponsoring various schools competitions,’’ he said.

Madhuku was recently re-elected Nash president for a third consecutive term during elections held in Victoria Falls.