The ManicaPost
Ray Bande and Liberty Dube
NYANGA Country Club was a hive of activity on Sunday as people from different walks of life swarmed the forgotten leisure centre sports ground for this year’s edition for the exciting Nyanga Supa tournament.
The brainchild of the tournament, Minister of Information, Communication and Technology and Courier Services, Supa Mandiwanzira, Nyanga Supa tournament is part of a package of developmental initiatives meant to improve the social and economic livelihoods of the people of Nyanga under the banner of Nyanga is Supa Foundation. In line with the quest for talent identification, this year’s edition of the tournament was graced by former soccer stars, Stewart “Shuto” Murisa and Alois Bunjira.
Mangondoza soccer team are overall victors of this year’s edition of Nyanga is Supa Foundation Sports Tournament that took place on Sunday at Nyanga Country Club after coming out tops in the soccer competition and third in Volleyball on Sunday
The explosive tournament which was filled with shock and surprises brought scores of villagers from Nyanga South and Nyanga North.
Mangondoza (Ward 31) received a trophy, gold medals for each player, soccer jerseys, two balls and cash prize of $400 after they beat Nyamhuka 5 – 4 in dreaded soccer penalties. The exciting Mangondoza midfielder, Witness Nyamutenha, won the man-of-the-tournament award and walked away with $50. He is also set to go for trials at Northern Region Division One soccer outfit, Gunners Football Club.
The heartbroken Nyamhuka received a trophy, silver medals for each player and an amount of $200 as well as two soccer balls.
In Netball, Nyamhuka came out tops after outclassing Nyamasara in the finals and the former were handed over a trophy, an amount of $300, Netball jerseys and two balls.
Nyamasara received $200, a Netball and a jersey. In Darts, Mutimutema outshone Nzungu and Nyamhuka to emerge winners and walked away with an amount of $100, dart board and jerseys.
All teams that participated in all sporting disciplines but could not make it into the crème de la crème walked away with a consolation prize of $100 each.
In an interview after the tourney, Mandiwanzira said one of the major thrusts of the tournament was to bring youths together and proffer them a platform where they can interact, exchange ideas and impress of sporting gurus who attended the tourney on a talent-scouting mission.
“The most important reason for this initiative is to engage our youths in recreational activities and give them a platform where talent scouts can identify talent and offer outstanding players a chance to showcase their talent on a more prestigious platform. The opportunity was to expose the players to iconic former national team players such as Bunjira and Murisa.
“Unfortunately the national team coach, Calisto Pasuwa who was also supposed to be here but could not make it because his car broke down. This has been a perfect opportunity for the youths to be drafted in other leagues. Sport is an important tool that brings people together and we are glad that the event managed to draw a huge turnout,” said Mandiwanzira, who is also member of the National Assembly for Nyanga South.
