The Sunday News
Phineas Mukwazo Sports Editor
ALL is set for the official opening of the Old Mutual Raj Modi T20 Under-13 Cricket Cup at the Heath Streak Academy at Suburbs tomorrow where the country’s Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be the guest of honour.An ecstatic Joseph Rego, who is the chief executive officer as well as executive director of the Academy, confirming the presence of the VP, also paid tribute to one of Bulawayo’s most celebrated businesspersons Raj Modi for not only bankrolling the event, but his invaluable support to sport in general in the city over the years. Modi also sponsors the annual Nkulumane Spar 10km race which he also founded.
“It is a great honour to have Vice-President Mnangagwa officiate at our first anniversary celebrations and his presence could be a fitting tribute to Bulawayo business mogul Raj Modi towards his contribution to the sport and the nation,” said Rego.
“I had the opportunity to visit the vice-president at his office last week and when he accepted the invitation I was overwhelmed by his humility and kindness.
“His visit has boosted the morale at the Academy in a big way in that Bulawayo will be on the world’s sporting map as a tourist and sports destination,’’ said Rego who is regarded high at the Academy.
The event which is part of the celebrations of the first anniversary of the Heath Streak Multi-Sports Academy, and in association with Rohan Sports, will see academy teams from 3 countries, namely South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, taking part.
“If at all, there is one individual who needs to be feted at our first anniversary celebrations, it is none other than Bulawayo’s business mogul and philanthropist Raj Modi whose contribution towards community development and sport are enormous,’’ said Rego.
“The event is being organised to honour and express our gratitude to him. He is the financial backbone of the multi-sports structure and without his generous contribution there would have been no Heath Streak Academy.’’
Rego also disclosed that Old Mutual were, “title sponsors” to the multi-sports academy and the facility would soon be christened Old Mutual Heath Streak Cricket Academy.
Old Mutual is a diversified international financial services group listed on the stock exchange in London, South Africa, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“Old Mutual has solid foundations established on one core promise, the commitment to always deliver value to its clients. We are proud and honoured by this association, and this partnership has taken us to another level,’’ said Rego.
The Batswana team is sponsored by Pepsi, and is managed by coach Blessing Mugumwa, the CEO of Premier Sports Academy, a professional up-market sports academy in Botswana.
The third team from Zimbabwe has been christened Fazak Zimbabwe who is franchisee to the team and will be managed by Rahul Vaghmaria who has been appointed team manager by the Heath Streak Academy.
A quality spinner, Vaghmaria represents Zimbabwe at the Under-16 national squad level. The host team has been under the tutelage of national cricketers John Nyumbu and Chris Mpofu, Tuskers Cricket Franchisee player Cunningham Ncube and fitness instructor Mxolisi “Boxie” Dube.
