Sports Writer
Thirty schools are set to take part in six days rugby tournament at Lord Brighton College in Nyabira.
In an interview with The Blast Sport, the educational institution Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Machiri said the tournament was in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mantra of keeping youths occupied and stay away from drugs and substance use.
“We are an institution that opened its doors in 2024. A total of 30 schools will participate in this rugby tournament which is starting today (Monday) ending on Saturday.The festival is being hosted by BMT Holdings.
The aim of this tournament is to keep learners occupied so that they stay away from drugs and substance use in line with the President’s mantra,”said Mashiri.
He added:
“These 30 schools are coming from across the country and we would like to nurture the talent in the sport and ensure that the boys and girls who will be participating play the sport at the highest level.At this tournament the learners will be able to interact and also realize that the sports gives them the opportunity to have scholarships abroad.”
On Saturday Old Hararians and Harare Sports club who play in the country’s elite rugby league will lock horns giving the young participants exposure at the highest level.
Mashiri paid gratitude to the corporate world for coming on board sponsoring the tournament.
“I would like to thank the corporate world who have partnered us sponsor the tournament ensuring that there will be incentives for all teams participating.The kit that will be used by the teams have been sponsored by the corporate companies.We shall be in future focusing on other sports such as soccer.If a child is gifted in soccer, he or she must be able to realize their potential.
“We have an Olympic size swimming pool here …every child here must be able to swim, we have hockey sport here and we are going to build an astra turf, we do tennis and basketball…we also have music and arts center and every child who is talented in that area will be able to show case the talent.A child can sing when she or she is happy or sad, that child is likely not to commit suicide.
Our aim to produce a holistic child who is not only academic but a child who can do well in sport.
We are also grateful to note that we have a grade four child who does Taekwondo sport who is going to South Korea…he is the national champion .
“Our education curriculum is very wide, we are the only school in Zimbabwe that is gling to make Ndebele and Shona languages learning compulsory…Mandarin language is also compulsory.We aim to be become a global school that will attract students from regional countries.We teach five languages and this goes a lot in ensuring that our learners have an international outlook,”he said.