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Innocent Kurira 

Sports Reporter 

THE Zimbabwe Under-20 men’s rugby team is leaving the country for Kenya this afternoon where they are going to defend the Rugby Africa Barthes Trophy which they won last year.

Coached by Shaun de Souza, the Young Sables open their title defence on Saturday with a tie against Cote d’Ivoire. 

In the other quarter-final matches, Kenya take on Uganda, Madagascar play against Tunisia while Namibia face Zambia.

The tournament will serve as qualifier for the World Rugby Under-20 Championships to be held in South Africa later this year. 

Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) vice-president Martin Shone said: “The team will leave on Thursday and we have all the confidence that they will defend the title they won last year. 

President Mnangagwa pledged support for the Young Sables after hosting a State function for the team earlier in the week. 

“This initiative and achievement plays a pivotal role as we continue our journey to re-position and refocus our delivery system, which is a critical part towards an excelling sporting nation.

“Your strife and drive as a team is in line with the achievements of the set sectorial target of improved performance as spelt out in the National Development Strategy 1 for Youth, Sport and Culture,” said President Mnangagwa. 

He said Government appreciates the role of sport and recreation as a fundamental tool in restoring broken character in the communities.

“The world of sport offers many choices that can appeal to a range of interests and which can develop particular strengths or protective factors in youths thereby responding to social ills such as the blight of drug abuse,” said President Mnangagwa.

Junior Sables

He urged the players to remain focused and refrain from drug and substance abuse.

“As Youth in Sport I urge you to enhance and embrace the philosophy  of ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo,” said President Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe won the last edition of the competition after beating Namibia in the final played at Nyayo National Stadium. 

The young Zimbabweans managed to lift the trophy following their three matches without defeat. 

Zimbabwe saw off Tunisia 19-18 and Madagascar 32-3 in the semi-finals before beating arch-rivals Namibia 19-14 in the title decider. They had last won the competition in 2012. — @innocentskizoe