The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Copa Coca-Cola schools football tournament held in Gwanda last weekend left behind a lasting legacy not only for the Matabeleland South capital but for the whole province.
Gwanda came alive for the three days that it was home to the biggest sponsored schools soccer competition in the country. Matches were played at various venues dotted over the town with the deciding fixtures for the boys and girls staged at Phelandaba Stadium.
Officials from Coca-Cola, its bottling partners Delta Beverages and Mutare Bottling Company set the tone for the legacy by donating books to Ntepe High School in rural Gwanda, a day before matches kicked off.
Coca-Cola Zimbabwe market activations manager Vee Chibanda handed over the books to the Matabeleland South deputy education director Lackson Zanamwe, much to the appreciation of schools, Ministry of Primary and Secondary education schools inspector for Gwanda district Lian Dube as well as the institution’s headmaster Sifiso Masuku.
The school got the donation following recommendation by Matabeleland South provincial education director Tumisang Thabela. Chibanda urged the pupils at the school to make full use of the textbooks and look after them for generations to come.
The world’s biggest beverage company hopes the donation will improve the pass rate at the school which is understood to be one of the lowest in the province.
All the four teams from the host province namely Gwanda High, Thekwane, Mzingwane and Colleen Bawn, made it to the quarter-finals stage which saw each of them getting a branded kit from Coca-Cola, a donation which will certainly leave an indelible mark.
“The Coca-Cola System continues to support grassroots football on multiple levels that extend beyond the tournaments themselves.
They managed to assist Gwanda High School, the host school refurbish their grounds, school staffroom and ablution facilities as well as Ntepe High School with book donations. This is a legacy that we are very proud of,’’ said Chibanda.
On this year’s competition which was the 28th edition for the boys and the sixth for the girls, Chibanda said it was a resounding success which saw Rujeko of Mashonaland Central being crowned boys champions while Chidyamakono from Masvingo lifted the girls trophy for the fourth consecutive time.
“The 28th tournament for the boys and sixth for the girls was a resounding success. Our heroes and heroines, the boys and girls had a very good time, making new friends, with Chidyamakono the girls’ champions for the 4th consecutive year breaking new ground and Rujeko atoning to their loss in the finals and winning it for the not so soccer popular Mashonaland Central province. It was a tournament that excited the local community,’’ added Chibanda.
Jerry Sibanda, the Bulawayo City chairman and Harare City assistant coach Mkhuphali Masuku, both from Gwanda led the football personalities at the tournament who included former Mighty Warriors captain Nomsa Moyo, Bulawayo City mentor Philani Ncube and United Arab Emirates based defender Noel Kaseke.
Coaches from local clubs also took time to scout for talent during the two-day event with the How Mine duo of Sheunesu Chaka and Jeremiah Makota as well as Shabanie Mine coach Tendai Chikuni making an appearance at the tournament.
The 2016 edition of the Copa Coca-Cola has come and gone but for Matabeleland South the legacy of the event will be felt for years to come until the tournament makes a return to the province in 10 years time.
@Mdawini_29
